Burnout in psychologists is the silent occupational illness of our profession. We attend others but rarely give ourselves the same gaze. The result: many psychologists end up with compassion fatigue, anxiety or depersonalisation before turning 5 in practice.
Early signs of burnout
- Cognitive: difficulty concentrating, lapses, decision fatigue.
- Emotional: irritability, 'I don't care' feeling, professional cynicism.
- Bodily: insomnia, contractures, headaches.
Risk factors
- Over-scheduling: more than 25 sessions/week is unsustainable.
- Complex cases in a row.
- Lack of supervision.
- Isolation.
Design a sustainable agenda
- Maximum 20-22 clinical sessions/week.
- 15-minute breaks between sessions.
- One weekly day without clinical work.
- Holidays: minimum 4 annual weeks.
Supervision and company
Supervision is not a luxury: it's the immune system of your profession. Combine individual + peer group + professional community.
Realistic self-care
- Regular sleep (min 7 hours).
- Physical activity 3-4 times/week.
- Personal therapy.
- Bonds outside the clinical sphere.
- Hobbies without productivity.
Setting patient limits
- Hours: no WhatsApp outside your slot.
- Clear cancellation policy.
- Referral: referring is ethical, not failure.
When to ask for help
- Personal therapist with experience in healthcare professionals.
- GP to rule out physical causes.
- Reduce or pause clinical load if needed.
Preguntas frecuentes
Common questions about burnout and self-care in psychologists.
How many sessions/week is too many?
More than 25 weekly clinical sessions sustained for months tends to generate compassion fatigue.
Difference between fatigue and burnout?
Fatigue recovers with normal rest. Burnout doesn't: it persists and is accompanied by depersonalisation.
Is it normal not wanting to see patients on Mondays?
Mild resistance is human. If you feel relief when a patient cancels, it's overload.
Is personal therapy mandatory for psychologists?
Not legally mandatory but ethically recommended.
How do I handle very demanding patients that exhaust me?
Clear limits + specific supervision + referral if it exceeds your frame.