Fueling Resilience: How Our Must-Do Training Curbs Burnout!
We are required to keep our continuing education current with licensure guidelines but what if it helps with more than just our license? We don’t know exactly how to intervene (meaning we have a lot of guesses but not a lot of evidence based research to go off) when burnout strikes but I believe that continuing education plays a crucial role in preventing or reducing burnout among therapists for several reasons:
Skill Development: Continuing education allows therapists to learn new therapeutic techniques, interventions, and approaches. This can make their work more effective and rewarding, reducing feelings of frustration or stagnation.
Professional Growth: Engaging in continuing education can provide therapists with opportunities for professional development and advancement. This can increase job satisfaction and motivation, reducing the risk of burnout.
Increased Confidence: Learning new skills and staying updated with the latest research and best practices can boost therapists' confidence in their abilities. This confidence can help them feel more competent and capable in their roles, reducing stress and burnout.
Adaptability: The field of mental health is constantly evolving, with new research and approaches emerging regularly. Continuing education helps therapists stay current with these changes, allowing them to adapt to new challenges and better meet their clients' needs.
Networking: Continuing education events, workshops, and conferences provide opportunities for therapists to network with colleagues, share experiences, and build supportive professional relationships. This can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community, which is important for preventing burnout.
Renewed Passion: Engaging in learning and professional growth can reignite therapists' passion for their work. Rediscovering the joy and excitement of learning new things can counteract feelings of boredom or disillusionment that can contribute to burnout.
Ethical and Legal Updates: Continuing education often includes updates on ethical guidelines, legal regulations, and professional standards. Staying informed about these issues can help therapists navigate potential pitfalls and avoid situations that could lead to stress or burnout.
Self-care Skills: Many continuing education programs include topics related to self-care, resilience, and wellness. Learning about these topics can help therapists develop healthy coping strategies, set boundaries, and prioritize self-care, all of which are important for preventing burnout.
Validation and Recognition: Participating in continuing education can validate therapists' commitment to their profession and dedication to providing high-quality care to their clients. Feeling recognized and valued can boost therapists' morale and reduce feelings of burnout.
Overall, I believe continuing education is an essential tool for therapists to stay engaged, motivated, and effective in their roles. By investing in professional development, therapists can enhance their skills, build resilience, and create a more fulfilling and sustainable career, which can significantly reduce the risk of burnout. Not to mention we have to get it anyways so might as well prevent some burnout out while we are at it.
For a thorough review on Burnout check out this review.
Edú-Valsania S, Laguía A, Moriano JA. Burnout: A Review of Theory and Measurement. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 4;19(3):1780. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031780. PMID: 35162802; PMCID: PMC8834764.
