Burnout in Helping Professions (massage and bodywork)
The recent AMTA Journal has an article on burnout that I was interviewed for back in the spring.
I was pleased that it mentioned my websites but was disappointed in the article overall.
I wish I had written the article myself.
So here it is (this will be a work in progress - all comments and feedback appreciated!):
Massage therapy and other helping professionals are prone to burnout. Burnout is not an illness that you can catch nor is it easily recognizable. It is a process that often begins early in a helping professionals career because most come to the profession with preconceived notions that they want to help others. This in itself is loaded with projections and often begins the process of burnout before one even gets into massage school.
Burnout is the result of not taking care of one’s self and one’s personal needs. When we try to help others before we are cared for ourselves, the result is burnout. As professionals who are known for giving to others, it is important to look at why you would want to give so much to others. Does it allow you to focus on others pain while continuing to hide your own?
Preventing burnout is more than just getting regular massages or taking vacations. It is about really looking at and becoming aware of your deeper needs behind your “call to help” and getting those needs met in other places in your life besides your practice.
Burnout happens when you give too much of yourself and finally realize that you have nothing left to give and you are forced or choose to get out of the business.
Some common signs of things that can lead to burnout are:
- feeling fatigued after working on clients
- wanting to “Fix” clients: thinking you can work with every client
- taking clients at any hour of day or night regardless of the schedule you have set for yourself
- always feeling like you have to do more with clients - taking more time with them than their alloted appointment time
- thinking that massage is the cure for every and all ailments and diseases
- feeling resentful giving massage for a discounted rate
- not charging what you need to make to have a decent living
- not taking the steps you need to build a practice or find a job and take care of yourself financially
- saying things like “it isn’t about the money”
I have written about burnout in other sections of my websites:
The answer to preventing burnout and becoming more aware of your own needs and how to get them met is Peer Supervision (see www.peersupervision.com)
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