Therapist Burnout Podcast: Mental Health, Business, and Career Tips for Therapists, Counselors, & Psychologists

If you opened your calendar right now, what would it tell you about your life? Catch the last installment of my alive series how to feel ALIVE this week: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb Your calendar is a reflection of your priorities, but sometimes, what’s on it doesn’t align with what actually fuels you. In this episode, we dive into how to identify energy drains in your daily...

Catch my alive series on the email list this month (ONE week left!) Join here: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb Ever feel like you’re sprinting through life with no chance to catch your breath? In this episode, I dive into the power of pacing—how to slow down and work at a human pace in a world that never stops. Drawing from my experience in neurorehabilitation, I break down the i...

This is the question I get all the time. Jen why is my brain is so confused, exhausted, and foggy? I dive into the neuroscience and the parrallels with the impacts of trauma neurologically. This month on the Newsletter, feel alive today: get my alive series and join the therapist pen-pal list: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb Believe me, you're not the only one. I hear repeatedly...

What I've realized after nearly two years out of private practice is that the opposite of burnout isn't just taking a break—it's being truly alive. Actually being a human, seeing nature, being with your loved ones, and making memories. And sometimes, to find that aliveness, you have to take a radical leap. Jump on the therapist pen-pal list to get my feeling alive series on the newsletter--you get...

Ever feel like friendships were easier when you were younger? You’re not imagining it. As adults—especially as therapists—life pulls us in different directions, making deep connections harder to maintain. Want to get my emails? My pen-pals get all the good stuff! https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb I write back :) In this episode, I’m breaking down why adult friendships take more eff...

Therapist, you spend your days holding space for others—but who’s holding space for you? Join the therapist pen-pal list! I write back: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: friendship, and why therapists need real, meaningful connections too. If you’ve been listening for a while, I hope you consider m...

Am I burned out, or am I actually depressed? That's the question I'm unpacking this week. It’s a tough one, and if you’ve ever felt completely depleted and disconnected from your work, you’re not alone. Let’s Connect: 💌 Join my pen pal list for resources, updates, and support: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb What We Cover in This Episode: 🔹 The blurred line between therapist bu...

In this episode of The Therapist Burnout Podcast , I dive into one of the most challenging aspects of our work—terminations. Whether you’re closing your entire practice, making the difficult decision to leave certain clients behind, or navigating the ethical complexities of unilateral terminations, these conversations are never easy. I reflect on Irvin Yalom’s insights about the therapist’s experi...

What’s Inside This Episode? 🔹 Burnout Recovery & Learning to Ski at 44 – How facing my fears on the mountain mirrors the journey of recovering from burnout. Am I cruising yet? Not quite, but I’m getting there. 🔹 Political Stress & Holding Space as a Therapist – If you’re feeling the weight of absorbing difficult conversations, especially in 2025, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about when i...

In this episode, Jen dives deep into the realities of burnout recovery, practice closure, and how therapists can navigate career shifts without losing themselves in the process. She opens up about her own burnout journey, the need for meaningful rest, and the micro-moments that help signal safety to an overstressed nervous system. Jen also shares insights on ethical considerations for practice clo...

Hey, therapist! If you've been wondering about the logistics of closing your private practice or leaving a long-term group practice, this episode is for you. Dr. Jen Blanchette walks you through the first steps to take when planning your closure timeline. Whether you're retiring, transitioning out of private practice, or simply ready for a change, this episode is packed with practical advice to he...

In this episode, host Jen Blanchette dives into the challenging decision therapists face when considering closing their practice or transitioning out of the field. Whether you're in private practice or agency work, the uncertainty of such a big shift is real—but you're not alone. Jen offers practical insights to help you evaluate if it's time to make a change and shares her personal experiences, i...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, host Dr. Jen Blanchette sits down with Dr. Melvin Varghese, psychologist and host of the renowned Selling the Couch podcast, to explore the emotional toll of burnout and the journey of reimagining success in the therapy profession. Together, they discuss the pressures of clinical work, the impact of systemic challenges, and how to embrace career pivots with...

Episode Summary: In this in-between time, as we transition from the holidays into the new year, we’re diving into how therapists can recharge, reflect, and prepare for meaningful change in 2025. Jen Blanchette recaps the December series on why it’s so hard to make changes as a therapist and shares actionable insights for overcoming fear, burnout, and those pesky “asshole stories” that keep us stuc...

In this episode, I get personal about the highs and lows of 2024, reflecting on burnout recovery, battling impostor syndrome, and redefining my career as a contractor and part-time school psychologist. Through my journey, I’ve learned to value my unique expertise, embrace writing as a strength, and hold space for others in transformative ways. If you’ve ever felt like your skills don’t transfer, o...

🎄 Finding Rest in the Holiday Hustle: Why December can feel like both a magical and overwhelming season. Jen's personal strategy for embracing rest during the holidays (spoiler: leftover Christmas dinner and lots of nothing!). The importance of communicating your needs and planning ahead to avoid burnout during festive chaos. 🛑 Rest as a Priority (Not a Luxury): What it means to be an "expert in...

In this episode, host Dr. Jen Blanchette takes you behind the scenes of her podcast journey, including a technical hiccup that led her to re-record this episode. But the silver lining? It gave her a chance to dive deeper into the topic of fear —specifically, how fear holds therapists back from making necessary changes in their careers and lives. Jen shares her own story of hitting peak burnout in...

Burnout can make everything feel impossible. Decisions become overwhelming, and the stories we tell ourselves—especially the ones rooted in fear and self-doubt—only make it harder. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Herbert, a coach and leader who helps women in healthcare reclaim their confidence and balance their careers with purpose. Together, we dive into how burnout impacts our sense o...

Judy Hu, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) turned Boundary Coach. She provides short term, intensive boundary healing and boundary coaching for adults, couples, and groups. Her clinical experience includes two decades of serving as a therapist for adults, children, couples and families; as a supervisor for clinical interns; and as a clinical director at a renowned outpatient clinic. Wit...

In this reflective and practical episode, Dr. Jen breaks down the holiday chaos therapists face—not just with clients but also within their own families, workloads, and personal lives. She offers simple, actionable steps to create a season that feels spacious, joyful, and manageable. Key Themes in This Episode: Increased Client Needs & Emotional Labor : Supporting clients through their holiday...

How do you handle discussions around political stress with clients? Do you find it challenging to stay grounded, or is it a non-issue for you? With election week past us in the U.S., this episode touches on the impact of heightened political division, how it affects therapists, and strategies for supporting clients through politically charged sessions. Episode Highlights: Opening Thoughts on Polit...

In this episode, we're diving into the unique challenges that therapists face during election week, especially when clients bring their political views and anxieties into sessions. Reflecting on my past experiences as a therapist, I share insights into managing the emotional load that can arise during election cycles and tips for navigating difficult conversations that touch on politics, identity,...

Ever felt that your job asks more of your humanity than it should? In this week's episode, I explore the concept of moral injury in therapy work. We often talk about burnout, but what happens when we’re pushed to betray our own values for the sake of our roles? In this solo episode of The Therapist Burnout Podcast , Jen Blanchette dives into the topic of moral injury among therapists. Reflecting o...

What is moral injury and how does it relate to burnout? Dr. Jennie Byrne shares her personal experience of facing a medical board investigation and the impact it had on her mental and emotional well-being. She discusses the concept of moral injury and how it differs from burnout and trauma. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals during the pandemic, inclu...

In this episode of the Therapist Burnout Podcast, Karen Conlon shares her personal journey navigating burnout as a therapist specializing in anxiety and trauma. She highlights the importance of setting boundaries and understanding the role of a therapist—not as a fixer but as a guide. Karen discusses her experiences across various stages of her career, including challenging environments like adole...