Choosing Yourself as a Therapist: Strategies to address burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma

Curt and Katie interview Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, of the Trauma Therapist Network. We engage in real talk about burnout and compassion fatigue. We look at why therapists are especially susceptible to burnout, what therapists can do to take care of themselves, and what systems we can set up to try to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. Laura also shared some ideas for group practice owners who want to support their clinicians. 

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

An Interview with Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, Trauma Therapist Network

Laura Reagan, LCSW-C is an integrative trauma therapist who owns a group psychotherapy practice in the greater Baltimore area. Laura also hosts Therapy Chat and Trauma Chat Podcasts, and she founded Trauma Therapist Network in 2021. Laura trains trauma therapists around the world in using bottom-up therapy methods and accessing their highest selves while doing meaningful psychotherapy work for sustainable careers.

In this podcast episode, we take a deeper look at therapist burnout work

We’ve spoken many times about burnout and compassion fatigue. We decided to revisit this important topic with our friend, Laura Reagan.

What do therapists need to know about “burnout” and “compassion fatigue?”

·      Burnout isn’t necessarily us not wanting to work, but feeling that the world will fall apart if we aren’t there for our clients

·      Not paying attention and ending up losing our clients’ trust

·      You forget you have agency

Why are therapists at particular risk for burnout?

·      Our stuff coming up and not being there for ourselves

·      Not metabolizing our own trauma triggers

·      Getting dissociated and numb due to our compassion fatigue and moral injury

·      There are different levels of risk based on developmental stages

What can therapists do to take care of themselves?

·      Identify whether there is space for experiencing emotions as well as being present for clients

·      Step away when needed, even when that could mean stopping see clients

·      Exploring other options to take care of yourself financially

·      Learning to choose yourself

What can therapists do to prevent deep burnout and compassion fatigue?

·      Being in tune with yourself and your body

·      Paying attention to your responses to a client session, day, week

·      Understanding what is happening inside yourself to identify what you need to be well

·      Making sure to move in between sessions to recalibrate your nervous system

·      Being in community while also working to stay in connection with yourself

·      Specific suggestions for group practice owners

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