Burnout in Therapists

For many therapists, burnout is not only about working too many hours. It begins much earlier—in the therapist’s own unmet relational needs, personal history, and the gradual loss of space for restoration. In this conversation, Richard Erskine reflects on decades of supervision and shares what he has learned about sustaining therapeutic presence. We discuss relational needs, countertransference, supervision, vacations, exercise, personal psychotherapy, and the importance of protecting the therapist’s capacity to love and remain curious. Topics include: • Relational needs of the therapist • Burnout and compassion fatigue • Countertransference and supervision • Why therapists need rest • Personal psychotherapy as professional responsibility • How many clinical hours are sustainable?