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More than ever, mental health professionals are failing to set boundaries with themselves, clients, and associates when it comes to taking care of their health and well-being, which is causing many counselors to experience symptoms of burnout (American Psychological Association (APA), n.d.). Since 2020, the demand for mental health counseling has significantly increased due to the stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic isolation and economic strain. As a result, mild to severe mental conditions, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicide, have exponentially increased. According to the results of the American Psychological Association survey, over 80% of mental health professionals reported an increased demand for treatment of anxiety and depression (2022).

Based on the increased need for more professional mental health care providers, establishing a daily self-care routine is crucial for counselors who dedicate themselves to supporting the well-being of others (Williams R., 2011). Despite their expertise in facilitating self-care to clients, many counselors and therapists struggle to prioritize their own, leading to burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma (Small S., 1987). These conditions reduce their ability to experience joy, sustain resilience, and provide practical, compassionate care. By committing to consistent self-care, mental health helpers can protect their emotional health, maintain their calling, and ultimately enhance their ability to serve others.

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Counselors in the mental health profession are at heightened risk of burnout in today's demanding need for treatment of mental illness and disorders in the United States. It is clear there is a significant concern among mental health helpers, as seen in this statistic that was the results of a recent study and reported in an article on the American Psychology Association (APA) website, "Studies estimate that anywhere between 21 percent and 61 percent of mental health practitioners experience signs of burnout (Morse et al., 2012 and APA, 2022)."  Professional counselors and mental health helpers face multiple stressors, including overwhelming caseloads, diverse client demographics, and the need to operate beyond their areas of expertise due to the shortage of available mental health providers. These challenges are compounded by ethical concerns, as counselors often feel compelled to assist clients with issues outside their specialized training, intensifying their sense of professional strain and exposure to burnout (American Counseling Association, 2014). The challenging work environment and the ethical pressure to provide competent care in the face of limited resources position counselors at a disadvantage in maintaining personal and professional well-being. Furthermore, the lack of self-care among professionals who experience burnout has created an industry-wide disparity in the quality of support they can provide to treat desperate clients.

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Compassion fatigue, also referred to as Secondary Trauma Syndrome (STS), is a critical issue among mental health providers, as the effects can have severe consequences for both practitioners and clients (Vance T., 2021). There is a high influx of untreated mental health issues that are heightened by obstacles, such as lack of medical insurance, high healthcare costs, and COVID-19 restrictions (ACA, n.d.). These factors have contributed to increased caseloads and complex trauma presentations. Professionals with inflated empathy, particularly educators and those with personal experiences mirroring those of their clients, are especially susceptible to compassion fatigue. Symptoms, which often mimic and coincide with STS and burnout, include fatigue, diminished enjoyment in everyday activities, isolation, and heightened anxiety and depression. Recognizing and promptly addressing compassion fatigue, alongside burnout and secondary trauma, is vital to sustaining both personal well-being and the quality of care provided to clients.

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Secondary Trauma Syndrome (STS) is a prevalent concern among school counselors, licensed professional counselors, educators, and caregivers/helpers in mental health, originating from long-term exposure to clients' trauma experiences (Baicker K., 2020). Over time, this exposure can trigger mild to severe symptoms in professionals, potentially interfering with the ability and quality of treatment they provide. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in stressors due to a demanding society, cases of secondary trauma have increased significantly. Critical symptoms of secondary trauma include heightened anxiety, persistent safety concerns, intrusive negative thoughts, and distressing imagery related to clients' stories. Mental health professionals may also experience physical and emotional exhaustion, disrupted sleep, isolation, a sense of detachment from clients and colleagues, declined professional confidence, and imposter syndrome. Various self-care tools have proven to be effective in managing and reversing secondary trauma, helping professionals maintain their well-being and ethical standards of care in their practice.

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Mental health professionals face the critical challenge of balancing effective client care and treatment with the necessity of personal self-care. Without the aid of a dedicated self-care system, mental health professionals risk burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma syndrome (STS) (Corey et al., 2017). While self-care strategies can be personalized to meet individual needs and preferences, several adaptable universal practices can be beneficial. Evidence-based techniques include

Incorporating at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily

Setting aside 5-30 minutes of quiet time for meditation of choice

Practicing 5-minute silent meditations or walking breaks between sessions and

Taking one-hour lunches

Working a balanced schedule between work and personal commitments

Maintaining a whole foods lifestyle

Drink water - stay hydrated!

Limit caffeine and sugar

Seek consistent personal therapy

Engage with a professional support network for peer consultation

A comprehensive self-care toolkit supports professional standards, enhances well-being, and promotes a fulfilling, joyful lifestyle (Schlund & Fitzgerald, 2021).

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American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of

ethics. https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center

American Psychological Association (APA). (2022). American Psychological Association (APA). https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/

Baicker, K. (2020). The impact of secondary trauma on educators. ASCD. https://ascd.org/el/articles/the-impact-of-secondary-trauma-on-educators

Corey, G., Muratori, M., Austin, J. T., II, & Austin, J. A. (2017). Counselor Self-Care. John Wiley & Sons.

Lent, J., & Schwartz, R. (2012). The impact of work setting, demographic characteristics, and personality factors related to burnout among professional counselors. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 34(4), 355–372. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.34.4.e3k8u2k552515166

Schlund, J., & Fitzgerald, A. (2021, January 28). Who Helps the Helpers? SEL for School Counselors’ Mental Health. ASCD. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://ascd.org/blogs/who-helps-the-helpers-social-emotional-learning-for-school-counselors-mental-health

Small, S. (1987). Helping Others Help Themselves: As self-study series. In The Helper and the Helping Process. Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

Vance, A. (2021, September 13). Compassion fatigue: What is it and what can we do? The Boys and Girls Club of America: Club Experience Blog. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2021/September/compassion-fatigue-what-is-it-and-what-can-we-do/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyfe4BhAWEiwAkIL8sGxjc0WHoUJqvTp6zt5IRuTMtW0yIJmRjtzladLBcWChHJ7okx2XDRoCDfoQAvD_BwE

Williams, R. (2011, January). The importance of Self-Care. American School Counselor Association. Retrieved October 26, 2024, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Magazines/January-February-2011/The-Importance-of-Self-Care

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Reflecting on the unit's resources and additional readings has highlighted self-care essentials and cautionary factors as I train to become a licensed professional counselor and continue as a life coach. Understanding the prevalent risks of compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary trauma, I now see how these factors significantly jeopardize not only the sustainability of a counseling career but also the mental and emotional stability required for effective and ethical counseling practice. The importance of establishing a consistent self-care routine was repeated across most resources, particularly in the book Counseling Self-Care, where the authors share their experiences and self-care tools to guide graduate students and practicing professionals in developing a self-care lifestyle (Corey et. el., 2017). It will be my responsibility, as well as a necessity and personal commitment, to uphold a holistic self-care practice, ensuring that I can provide high-quality support to clients while nurturing my well-being and relationships.

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Maintaining a healthy balance between work, personal life, and family is essential for my current role as a professional and graduate student, as well as in my future role as a professional mental health provider. Often, the most challenging expectations to meet are our own. I believe it is my responsibility to establish and maintain this balance by clearly defining my boundaries. I control and effectively communicate my expectations with others, setting firm, non-negotiable limits with myself, my partner, family, friends, colleagues, and clients. By doing so, I actively protect my well-being and ensure my capacity to serve proficiently and effectively in my current and future roles.

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Figure 1. Ausloos C., Salpietro L., Jacoby R., Clark M. (n.d.).

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Feeling the Sizzle What to do when experiencing burnout(1)