Subscribe to the Leaving the Chair Newsletter: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Are other therapists gaslighting us about burnout? In this episode, Jen responds to a social media post claiming "burnout is not a given" — and unpacks why that framing, while well-intentioned, can quietly turn burnout into a "you problem." She talks honestly about arriving at burnout already burnt, why a new business model isn't always the escape hatch, and what she learned from running her first Leaving the Chair group.

IN THIS EPISODE

"Burnout is not a given" — yes, and… Jen responds to a post arguing that therapists just need a more sustainable business model to escape burnout. She agrees burnout shouldn't be normalized — and pushes back on the implication that if you're burnt out, you simply picked the wrong model. Many of us arrive at burnout in full surrender, with real mental health symptoms, needing recovery rather than prevention.

Burnt by the work itself The research is clear: therapists often arrive at burnout, not burning out. Not "a little crispy" — fully burnt. Jen normalizes that some of us will face burnout, compassion fatigue, or vicarious traumatization despite our business model, because of trauma exposure. It's okay if you need help. Full stop.

The escape-hatch industry Jen names the constant stream of pitches in her inbox — AI companies, coaching programs, consultation packages — all promising to "solve" therapist burnout. Some consultation is genuinely helpful (she's used it), but be discerning. People benefit financially from therapists buying their way out, and a stopgap is not a solution.

What she learned running Leaving the Chair Jen's first cohort of the Leaving the Chair group wrapped in May 2026. Instead of "fix your nervous system in a weekend," the group started with pruning — cutting back what isn't working — and moved into the harder question: who am I now, and what do I actually value?

The values bridge Through Susie Welsh's values bridge work (found via Kate Donovan's podcast), Jen was surprised to learn she's genuinely okay with a smaller life. Marketing, launching, scaling — not high on her list right now. Partnership, family, tennis, gardening, her dog — those are.

The arrival fallacy, again High-achievers in this field are trained to look for the next rung: the license, the practice, the group practice, the podcast, the program. Jen reflects on being squarely in midlife and — maybe for the first time — being comfortable being where she is.

"I don't want to." Borrowing from Martha Beck, Jen describes the little creature at the end of herself that finally said, "I don't want to." Not collapse — refusal. She wants to do good work, thoroughly, and still not overwork. She wants to play.

A hobby is something that doesn't make you money Jen stopped teaching fitness classes during the group — $25/hour is real money, but it wasn't a hobby and it wasn't her job. She talks about reclaiming hobbies as hobbies, and helping therapists think about their whole life as something worth enjoying, not just optimizing.

What a sabbatical is actually for Jen is taking a summer sabbatical in late June. Spoiler: a sabbatical is not a vision quest. It's not the time to figure life out. It's a time to rest and to cease work — something modern life has thoroughly messed up. A full episode on sabbaticals is coming.

Thanks for listening. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a therapist friend who needs to hear it — and subscribe to the newsletter for more at https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Can you prevent burnout as a therapist? This episode explores the balance between work life and personal life, the importance of boundaries, and how to navigate systemic challenges in the therapy field. Main Topics:

• The concept of guardrails in therapy and personal life
• Practical boundary-setting techniques for work-life separation
• The impact of systemic issues and environment on burnout
• Personal stories of systemic injustice and boundary violations
• How to implement small guardrails in daily routines
• The importance of saying no and adjusting workloads
• Reflections on burnout prevention strategies and the limits of individual efforts
• The role of self-awareness and systemic change in therapist wellness

Resources & Links:

• Oliver Berkman - 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
• Cal Newport - Deep Work
• Mary Oliver - Poem on Our One Wild Life (related poem)

Connect with Jen Blanchette:

• Leaving the Chair Newsletter (subscribe for stories, journal prompts, and updates)
• Jen’s Website

Connect with Therapist Colleague:

• Website
• LinkedIn

• Good therapist conditioning can lead to perfectionism and a fear of making mistakes as well as burnout.
• Therapists often feel a strong sense of responsibility for their clients' well-being.
• Cultural expectations and societal norms can reinforce traditional gender roles and influence therapists' perception of themselves and their careers.
• Attachment to the identity of being a therapist can make it difficult to consider alternative career paths.
• Therapists should prioritize their own needs and happiness and not be afraid to make changes.

Links to my stuff: https://linktr.ee/drjenblanchette

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 impact of cognitive fatigue, burnout, and why structured rest isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Plus, I’ll share practical ways to reduce information overload, manage digital consumption, and make small but powerful shifts to support your brain health and well-being.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to incorporate the neurorehab pacing framework into your daily life
• The importance of structured rest: 10 minutes per hour, one hour per day, one day per week, and one week every 12-16 weeks
• How burnout affects cognitive function and why rest is non-negotiable
• The impact of digital inputs on stress levels and how to minimize overstimulation
• Practical ways to build small, sustainable habits for better mental clarity and energy

Key Takeaways:

• If you feel like you can’t stop working or your brain is always “on,” you may be experiencing cognitive burnout.
• Digital overstimulation, especially from our phones, is draining our attention and rest time. Consider a digital declutter challenge.
• Start small: bookend your day without media, take short movement breaks, and spend just 10 minutes outside to reset.
• The laws require breaks at work—yet many of us don’t take them. It’s time to change that.

Resources Mentioned:

• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Premack Principle & Habit Stacking for behavioral change
• COGSmart program from the VA for cognitive rehabilitation
• Related Episodes:
  • Episode 29: The Anxious Generation & Therapist Burnout – Why forcing yourself to work harder won’t fix burnout and what actually helps.
  • Episode 30: Hot Take: Your Phone and Burnout – How systemic pressure to overwork keeps therapists stuck and strategies to resist it.

What’s one small change you can make today to support your brain? Let me know! Join the therapist pen-pal list above

Join my Therapist Pen Pal list (free):

https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Overbooked & Overwhelmed (again): How to Prune What You Can When Your Calendar Feels Impossible

In this episode, I’m revisiting a topic I first talked about last year: what to do when you look at your calendar and genuinely can’t see how you’re going to make it through the week.

I’m naming the backdrop we’re all living inside of (what some people are calling a “polycrisis”) and why it matters that we stop pretending our overwhelm exists in a vacuum. Then I take you into a simple (not easy) starting point: notice what’s depleting you, and prune what you can—without needing a perfect plan or a five-step system.

• A quick 2020 story (my cancelled “Cinderella’s castle” 40th birthday moment) and why the 2020s have felt like a relentless era
• The concept of a “polycrisis” and why therapists have been bracing for years
• Why you can’t live in nervous system dysregulation forever (your body has a limit)
• What brain injury recovery taught me about burnout recovery: it’s rarely “one fix”—it’s ongoing listening + experimenting
• The burnout reckoning: “When can I function like I used to?” (and why that question can keep you stuck)
• The practical starting point:
  • Notice depletion
  • Identify what’s non-negotiable vs. optional
  • Prune what you can
• The “come to Jesus” questions:
  • What is this pace doing to your body in 6 months?
  • What is it doing to your patients, your partner, your kids, your life?
• How resentment shows up internally (and why it’s human)—and when you’re past “just do more consultation”
• Why “doing less” does not mean you care less
• Cognitive overload + sensory input (especially your phone), and how to titrate it down without going cold turkey
• Concrete examples of pruning:
  • fewer evening sessions
  • dropping one non-essential obligation
  • simplifying meals/snacks so you’re not running on fumes
  • delegating home tasks (yes, even feeding the dog)
  • pausing trainings/certifications when you have no bandwidth

If you can (and not while driving):

Look at your calendar and just sit with it for a minute. Then ask:

• What do I dread every week?
• What is the cost of continuing to do it like this?
• What’s truly non-negotiable… and what’s optional even if it doesn’t feel optional?
• What’s one small thing I can prune this week?

Doing less does not mean you care less.

It may be the exact thing that helps you care more—because it protects your capacity.

• “Polycrisis” (the idea that multiple crises are happening at once and compounding)
• Cognitive burnout + constant input (especially phone use / scrolling)

• Therapist Pen Pal list: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb
• Email: info@drjenblanchette.com
• LinkedIn: Find me at Dr. Jen Blanchette

What happens when you know you’re done with therapy work—but you still can’t leave? In this episode of The Therapist Burnout Podcast, Jen continues the Private Practice Closure Series with an honest look at the in-between season: when your mind, body, and heart are saying “enough,” but your circumstances don’t yet allow for a full exit.

Jen shares her personal experience of sitting in this space—knowing she was finished with 1:1 work long before she actually closed her practice—and what she’s learned from supporting other therapists in that same tension.

You don’t need a sign or a playbook to know you’re done. You already know. But there are small, sustainable ways to make your work more tolerable while you prepare to leave.

• Why therapists often stay in their practices far longer than is healthy
• The clinical, emotional, and practical fears that keep us stuck
• How our bodies sound the alarm through anxiety, health issues, and shutdown
• The myth of “failing” if you leave your practice or the therapy field
• How to listen to your body’s cues and start pacing your exit
• Practical micro-moves:
  • Reviewing your caseload for depletion vs. renewal
  • Reconnecting to treatment goals and considering ethical terminations
  • Discharging long-term clients who no longer meet goals
  • Reducing hours, enforcing cancellations, or outsourcing billing
• Why adding certifications or going private pay often isn’t the answer when you’re burned out
• Real talk about online business and coaching—why it’s not a quick fix
• How slowing down and nervous system recovery create the clarity you actually need

You may not be able to leave yet—and that’s okay. The work right now is making things as tolerable as possible while you prepare for what’s next.

Small shifts create space for the bigger decisions.

• Private Practice Closure Guide https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/closureguide your step-by-step playbook for the logistics of closing your practice
• Previous episodes in the Private Practice Closure Series (listen to episodes 91–92 for context)

What is your body trying to tell you about your work right now—and where might you need to listen more closely?

👉 First things first: Join my Therapist Pen-Pal List

Get my weekly notes, practical prompts, and updates on ways to work with me.

Subscribe: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

After nearly two years of talking with hundreds of therapists about burnout (and living my own), I’m revisiting the core question: What is therapist burnout—really? I share a body-based story from a back injury, then map burnout using a memorable lasagna metaphor so you can name what you’re feeling and choose a first small step.

You’ll hear about:

• Why the ICD-11 frame only scratches the surface for clinicians
• Why vacations alone don’t fix therapist burnout
• The layered experience of exhaustion, resentment, “I don’t care,” clinical grief, vicarious trauma, moral injury, body symptoms, and shame
• Small moves to create safety and margin before “doing the trauma work” on yourself

1. Noodles: Exhaustion as the base You’re doing too much. First step: do less. Fewer clients, fewer tasks, more margin.
2. Sauce: Anger and resentment Irritability that leaks into everything. Paperwork, payers, tough sessions, home life.
3. Cheese through everything: “I don’t care” Scary to admit. Often a nervous system survival response, not a character flaw.
4. Hidden filling: Clinical grief Losses without ritual or witnessing. Client death, sudden endings, ghosting.
5. Spicy layer: Vicarious trauma Intrusions, hypervigilance, worldview shifts from the work itself.
6. Bitter bite: Moral injury When systems force choices that betray your values. It hits identity and ethics.
7. Burnt edges: Body symptoms Headaches, GI issues, tight chest, sleep disruption—your body waving a red flag.
8. Top layer: Shame The whisper that says “You’re a bad therapist.” It seals the whole dish and keeps you stuck.

Like my back flare, burnout involves multiple systems at once. It’s not about you “mismanaging stress.” It’s about adjusting inputs, removing aggravators, and rebuilding capacity step by step.

• Create margin: Remove one task or one client block.
• Add safety: Choose one nervous-system support (sleep, movement, gentle connection).
• Get care: Loop in your therapist, PCP, or a trusted peer for assessment and support.

• Ep. 70: Burnout doesn’t stay at work — how it spills into life and what to do next.

If this helped, share it with a therapist friend. That’s how this message grows.

Join the Therapist Pen-Pal List: weekly notes, gentle prompts, behind-the-scenes updates, and first dibs on offers.

📬 Burned out and need a soft place to land? Join my pen-pal list for therapists who are over it, in it, or finding their way out. I send real letters—and I write back.

👉 https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

What happens when a thriving group practice becomes too much to hold?

In this episode, I’m joined by Shulamit Baer Levtov—a therapist, entrepreneur, and burnout recovery coach—who shares her deeply personal story of walking away from a successful group practice because it no longer aligned with her values or her health. Together, we talk about the behind-the-scenes of therapist burnout, especially in leadership roles, and the tricky relationship many therapists have with money.

Shulamit brings clarity and compassion to topics that so often carry shame: struggling in your business, feeling stuck in scarcity, and believing you’re failing when in fact the system was never set up for your wellness in the first place.

In this episode, we explore:

• The hidden costs of group practice ownership and why it’s not always the burnout solution we’re sold
• How scarcity mindset impacts our brains, decision-making, and ability to dream bigger
• The gendered messaging therapists receive about money—and how it shows up in our fee-setting, boundaries, and burnout
• Why business education is critical for therapists in private practice, and how Shulamit is helping to change that
• Practical ways to set up support, systems, and mental health infrastructure in your business
• What AI can and can’t do when it comes to easing therapist overwhelm
• Shulamit’s powerful reminder that burnout is not a personal failure—it’s a signal something needs to change

Whether you’re a therapist on the edge of burnout, rebuilding after stepping away, or navigating the stress of entrepreneurship, this conversation is a reminder: you’re not broken, and you’re not alone.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Shulamit at shula.ca
• Subscribe to her newsletter: shula.ca/newsletter
• Join my pen-pal list for burned-out therapists: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb
• Learn more about Dr. Michael A. Freeman’s research on entrepreneurship & mental health
• Private Practice Made Simple: Everything You Need to Know to Set Up and Manage a Successful Mental Health Practice Paperback – June 2 2011 by Randy J. Paterson PhD (Author)
• 12 MONTHS TO YOUR IDEAL PRIVATE PRACTICE (book and WORKBOOK) By Lynn Grodzki, Lynn
• Freeman study 2015: https://michaelafreemanmd.com/Research_files/Are%20Entrepreneurs%20Touched%20with%20Fire%20(pre-pub%20n)%204-17-15.pdf
• Most recent freeman study:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352673424000131

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 curiosity and patience.

Melvin shares pivotal moments from his own path, including the burnout that stemmed from his early career as psychologist in testing, to the realization that the traditional practice model wasn’t sustainable for him, and the careful steps he took to transition into podcasting and course creation. From starting with a $60 mic and an ironing board to building a top 0.5% global podcast, Melvin’s journey offers both inspiration and practical takeaways for therapists seeking to prioritize their well-being and explore new opportunities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The Emotional Toll of Burnout and Self-Sacrifice: Melvin reflects on feeling the weight of being one of the few Indian male psychologists and the need to meet overwhelming demand. He vulnerably shares the physical and emotional toll of prioritizing others’ needs over his own—hair loss, insomnia, and emotional exhaustion—and emphasizes the importance of deep self-care: “We deserve the same level of care we give to others.”

Signs It’s Time for a Change: Melvin and Jen share moments of clarity when they knew something had to shift. From dreading the workweek to questioning their ability to keep going, they discuss how the emotional labor of balancing clients’ needs with their own well-being made traditional therapy unsustainable.

The Pivot to Podcasting and Courses: Melvin’s transition started with small, curious steps and years of consistent effort. He recounts key milestones:

• • Launching Selling the Couch in 2015 as a side hustle.
  • Balancing early-morning recordings, full workdays, and late-night editing.
  • Transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship with careful planning.

The Realities of Building a Podcast and Course:Melvin shares the slow, steady growth of his podcast, now with 379 episodes, 1.1 million downloads, and a spot in the top 0.5% globally. His podcasting course has served 244 students and generated $323,000 over nine years, a testament to persistence and adaptability.

Balancing Life and Business During COVID-19:The pandemic cemented Melvin’s decision to leave clinical work, as safety concerns for his family—including a premature daughter and a partner with severe asthma—made in-person therapy impractical. This challenge ultimately led to clarity and growth.

Key Takeaways for Therapists Looking to Transition:

• You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being to meet others’ needs.
• Start small, be patient, and focus on creating something sustainable.
• Give yourself permission to pivot and evolve over time.

Resources Mentioned:

• Selling the Couch Podcast: https://sellingthecouch.com/stcpodcast/
• Melvin’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melvinvarghesephd

Connect with Jen

• Website: www.drjenblanchette.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenblanchette/
• Newsletter: The Burned Out Therapist Pen-Pal List

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 2021, navigating the challenges of balancing parenting, a private practice, and the financial frustrations of dealing with insurance panels. She discusses the two biggest fears therapists face when contemplating change:

1. The Fear of No Options
   • When burnout hits, it can feel like there’s no way out. Jen reflects on her journey of discovering options beyond one-on-one therapy and encourages listeners to explore alternatives they may not have considered.
   • She also revisits episodes from her career series (episodes 25-28), offering a roadmap for therapists wondering what’s next.
2. The Fear of Letting People Down
   • From closing practices to discharging clients, the fear of disappointing or harming clients can be paralyzing. Jen normalizes these feelings and offers insights on navigating these transitions ethically and compassionately.

Throughout the episode, Jen highlights the importance of giving yourself permission to rest, recognizing your limits, and trusting that change doesn’t mean failure—it’s a step toward sustainability.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout isn’t a personal failing; it’s often a sign that your current circumstances are unsustainable.
• Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. With reflection and support, you can find new paths that align with your needs.
• Rest and recovery aren’t just privileges—they’re essential for your longevity as a therapist.

Resources Mentioned:

• Career-focused episodes:
  • Episode 25: The Passion Paradox in Therapist Careers
  • Episode 26: What Other Jobs Could Therapists Do Besides Therapy?
  • Episode 27: Why Therapists Fantasize About Working at Target
  • Episode 28: Three Steps to Pivot Your Career Away from One-to-One Therapy
• Episode 35: Unspoken Endings—Navigating Unilateral Terminations

Let’s Connect:

• Find me on LinkedIn: Dr. Jen Blanchette
• Ready to explore your options? Check out my coaching offerings for therapists navigating burnout and career change. www.drjenblanchette.com

Final Reflection:

Fear often shows up when we’re on the brink of transformation. If you’ve been feeling stuck or scared to make a change, know that you’re not alone. You have options, and your next step doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be yours.

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 stress without depleting yourself.
• Handling Cancellations: Practical strategies for clear policies and managing gaps in income during the holiday shuffle.
• Planning for Financial Dips: Tips to smooth out income fluctuations and plan ahead for slower months.
• Personal Holiday Stress: Why adjusting traditions and setting boundaries can help you reclaim joy in the season.
• Year-End Admin Burnout: Ways to tackle renewals, insurance headaches, and deductible resets without feeling overwhelmed.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Reframing Holiday Stress:
   • The drama in our minds about December is often a predictable cycle.
   • Recognizing the patterns (with clients and family) helps reduce overwhelm.
2. Boundaries and Planning:
   • Map out your holiday season. Where are the breaks?
   • Be intentional about setting limits with clients and family.
3. The Four Pillars of Brain Health:
   • Dr. Jen shares her pillars—movement, nutrition, sleep, and connection.
   • Simple ways to check in with yourself and get back to basics.
   • Why neglecting these needs during the holidays leads to burnout.
4. Celebrating Joy and Novelty:
   • Breaking free from the monotony of midlife with small, joyful experiences.
   • Building simple traditions or moments of joy that anchor the season.

Key Quote:

"If you feel burned out, stretched thin, or untethered this holiday season, pause and ask: What do I need? Spaciousness? Connection? Rest? When you listen to your body, you’ll find the answer."

Reflections on Burnout and Connection:

Dr. Jen opens up about how the pandemic disrupted her relationships and the sadness that comes with losing connections. She offers reassurance that rebuilding relationships, even small steps like sending a text, is possible and worth pursuing.

Dr. Jen’s Quick Brain Health Checklist for Therapists:

• Movement: Aim for joyful movement like walks, yoga, or a tennis match (that's me ya'll).
• Nutrition: Focus on adding nourishing foods like berries, leafy greens, and omega-rich choices.
• Sleep: Prioritize rest, even if it means adjusting routines or asking for help.
• Connection: Reconnect with loved ones, friends, or pets. Relationships are healing.

Practical Takeaways:

• Schedule mini breaks throughout December to recharge.
• Reflect on how you want to feel after the holidays and build habits to get there.
• Identify one or two non-negotiable moments of joy or novelty to make the season special.

Resources:

• Email Dr. Jen to join her Pen Pal list for updates: info@drjenblanchette.com
• Follow on LinkedIn for more therapist-specific insights: Dr. Jen Blanchette
• Pen Pal List: Sign up for Dr. Blanchette’s newsletter for podcast updates and exclusive insights.

Spread the Message:

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a therapist friend or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Let Dr. Jen know what you need most this holiday season by dropping her a message.

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.

• Opening Thoughts on Political Anxiety: Dr. Blanchette reflects on the unique challenges therapists face around election time, balancing personal reactions with professional responsibilities. She shares insights from recent LinkedIn conversations where therapists voiced the complexities of showing up during a politically fraught period.
• Why Neutrality Can Be a Challenge: Traditional training encourages therapists to remain neutral, but in today’s climate, neutrality may not always feel possible—or authentic. Dr. Blanchette discusses how identity factors and the needs of marginalized communities complicate neutrality, and the importance of practicing ethical transparency.
• APA’s 2024 Stress Survey Findings: This episode references new findings showing that 77% of U.S. adults report significant stress about the future of the nation, highlighting how political anxiety has become a chronic cultural stressor. Dr. Blanchette shares tips on how to bring psychoeducation into sessions, normalizing these feelings for clients.
• Refocusing on Clinical Goals Amid Political Discourse: Dr. Blanchette offers grounding strategies for therapists feeling inundated by political discussion. She discusses how using techniques like DBT’s Radical Acceptance and EMDR’s Calm Safe Place can help re-center sessions on therapeutic goals, rather than purely venting.
• Encouraging Healthy Connection: The episode suggests ways therapists can guide clients to reduce news consumption and increase meaningful social interactions. Borrowing from Cal Newport, Dr. Blanchette recommends prioritizing face-to-face connections over social media as a way to support deeper connection and reduce anxiety.
• Tools for Navigating Sessions this Week: Dr. Blanchette advises therapists to come prepared with a “frame” for sessions, using psychoeducation and therapeutic techniques to help clients (and themselves) manage political anxiety and maintain focus on mental health goals.
• The Reality of Therapist Burnout During Election Season: Dr. Blanchette shares candid insights on the emotional toll election season can take on therapists. She offers strategies to help therapists maintain their own well-being and avoid numbing out by reconnecting with personal supports and routines.

• Episode 3: Navigating Burnout to Advocate with Krista Harrison – Insights on working with marginalized communities in politically charged climates.
• APA 2024 Stress Survey – Highlights current statistics on the mental health impact of U.S. political division.

• Email: info@drjenblanchette.com for comments or feedback.
• Pen Pal List: Sign up for Dr. Blanchette’s newsletter for podcast updates and exclusive insights.
• Website: www.drjenblanchette.com

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, including increased demand, virtual practice, and the loss of autonomy. Dr. Byrne emphasizes the importance of examining our ways of working and making intentional choices to prioritize self-care. The conversation explores the themes of burnout, feeling like a cog in a machine, shame, lack of collegiality, and the impact of technology on work-life balance. The guests discuss the need for better language to describe the experiences of therapists and clinicians, as well as the importance of setting boundaries and finding joy in one's work. They emphasize the need for peer support, self-awareness, and intentional self-care to address moral injury and prevent burnout.

Takeaways

• Moral injury is a deep wound to the soul that occurs when one's actions or experiences go against their internal values.
• Burnout, moral injury, and trauma are interconnected but distinct concepts that can affect healthcare professionals.
• The pandemic has exacerbated burnout and moral injury among healthcare professionals due to increased demand, virtual practice, and loss of autonomy.
• Examining and reevaluating our ways of working can help alleviate burnout and moral injury.
• Prioritizing self-care and setting boundaries are essential for maintaining mental and emotional well-being in the healthcare field. Burnout is a complex issue that can have different meanings for different individuals. It is important to go beyond the surface level and explore the specific experiences and emotions behind burnout.
• Many therapists and clinicians feel like cogs in a machine, disconnected from the collegiality and support they once experienced in their work. This industrial mindset can contribute to feelings of burnout and dissatisfaction.
• Shame and self-loathing are common experiences among those who are struggling with burnout or moral injury. It is important to create a safe space for open and honest conversations about these challenges.
• Setting boundaries and finding a work-life balance that aligns with individual needs and preferences is crucial for preventing burnout. This may involve utilizing technology to support boundaries and being intentional about self-care.
• Peer support and connection are essential for addressing moral injury and preventing burnout. Creating opportunities for meaningful conversations and support among colleagues can help alleviate feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community.
• Finding joy in one's work is a powerful antidote to burnout. Engaging in activities that bring personal fulfillment and reconnecting with passions and hobbies can help restore a sense of purpose and well-being.

About Dr. Jennie Byrne:

Dr. Jennie Byrne is a psychiatrist with years of experience in both private practice and larger healthcare systems. She is passionate about mental health care reform and shares her insights in her book, helping clinicians navigate the complexities of modern healthcare.

Resources:

• Dr. Jennie Byrne's website: https://drjenniebyrne.com/

More from Jen:

www.drjenblanchette.com

The therapist pen-pal list write back": https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

In this episode, therapist Susannah Horwitz shares her personal journey of burnout and the pivotal moments that led her to find joy again. She discusses the challenges she faced upon moving to a new location and the pressure she felt to maintain stability for her family.

Susannah reflects on her beliefs around money and how she overcame scarcity mindset to increase her fees and create a more sustainable practice. She also explores the role of rest and play in finding abundance and shares her experience of shifting to offering intensives as a therapeutic approach. Susanna emphasizes the importance of collaboration and connection with other therapists and the need for a collective shift in the field of therapy.

 She shares her passion for supporting young parents in STEM who are dealing with chronic illness or health anxiety. Susanna also introduces her coaching program for introverted therapists who struggle with  networking and offers insights into somatic regulation as a tool for building relationships and referral bases.

More from Susannah: https://www.susannahhorwitz.com/

More from Jen: https://linktr.ee/drjenblanchette

This episode of the Joy After Burnout podcast delves into a topic rarely talked about among therapists - secret grief. In this solo episode, Dr. Jen Blanchette, the host, highlights the heaviness associated with the therapy profession and the losses therapists encounter. She shares a personal story of losing a former client during COVID-19, discussing the challenges of grieving in a professional setting and the unfulfilled desire to express her grief openly.

Dr. Blanchette explores the concept of secret grief and its impact on therapists' well-being, emphasizing the importance of support networks. She also provides resources for therapists grappling with secret grief, such as Facebook groups and support organizations. The episode concludes with advice for therapists facing secret grief, encouraging them to take breaks, seek therapy, and prioritize their own needs to navigate the emotional toll of their work.

🌈 Here are some key takeaways: 

1️⃣ The Unseen Grief: As therapists, we often don't hit pause to tend to our own grief. Balancing the needs of our families, other clients, and more, we keep moving forward. It's time to explore the importance of fully acknowledging and processing the loss of a client.

2️⃣ Stacked Losses: The emotional weight adds up — from clients who unexpectedly vanish to facing the reality of multiple client losses and the toll of vicarious trauma. Let's unpack how these losses can impact us and strategies for coping.

3️⃣ Rituals Denied: Unlike other professions, we can't always partake in traditional grief rituals like client memorial services.

Resources for therapists who have lost clients by suicide: https://www.cliniciansurvivor.org/

Sample practices for therapists who have suffered a loss of a client (by suicide but may be helpful for other deaths: https://sprc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Sample_Individual_Practitioner_Practices.pdf

Links all my stuff free and paid stuff including my free 20- minute consult for therapist who are done with doing so much 1:1 therapy: linktr.ee/drjenblanchette

Are you a therapist facing the challenges of burnout and questioning the path ahead? Join me Dr. Jen Blanchette, on a heartfelt journey where I share a transformative framework to guide you through these crossroads.

Episode Highlights:

• Phase 1: Love It or Leave It - Reflecting on your current practice setting and making the pivotal decision to stay or seek a new path.
• Phase 2: Career Refresh - Evaluating your contentment, exploring new avenues within or outside your role as a therapist (or with 1:1), and finding job roles that fit with your life.
• Phase 3: Accountability and Renewal - Embracing lasting change through support, mentoring, and tracking progress for a fulfilling career.

As a therapist who's been there, I understand the toll of burnout. Discover how to make the tough decisions, rekindle your professional flame, and embrace the transformation that's possible. For in-depth insights, show notes, transcripts, and a free alignment guide, visit www.drjenblanchette.com.  Link to your free guide if you want to quit therapy and updates for the podcast here!

Don't miss this episode and the chance to rediscover hope, passion, and purpose in your therapy career. Subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow therapists seeking renewal and transformation.

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 from other therapists that they just feel like, I can't think, I can't do my work. I have no idea which way to go. I feel like I'm spinning.

And since it’s March, I want to touch base on Brain Injury Awareness Month. I am a certified brain injury specialist.

Brain Injury Corner for the Month of March: Did you know that at least 64 million adults report having experienced at least one traumatic brain injury (TBI) in their lifetime? Or that there are at least 2.9 million TBI-related emergency department visits each year in the U.S.?

Would it surprise you to learn that 81% of adults in the U.S. do not recognize concussions as traumatic brain injuries? This is a huge issue because a mild TBI—aka a concussion—is still a brain injury. I worked with folks who had a concussion and never fully recovered—losing jobs, relationships, and their sense of self. The emotional impact of brain injury is significant, and many people don’t get the follow-up care they need.

If you suspect a concussion, the best thing you can do is get checked—ideally by a physical therapist specializing in concussion management. Outdated advice told people to avoid screens and stay in a dark room indefinitely, but we now know that moderate aerobic activity (like walking) is one of the best treatments for recovery.

For therapists, I highly recommend taking a free training on concussion awareness, like the CDC’s Heads Up online courses. Having this knowledge is invaluable for referring clients and understanding the broader implications of brain health.

Key Topics:

• My personal story of burnout in 2020, balancing a private practice and parenting without childcare
• The emotional and cognitive symptoms of therapist burnout
• Recent research on how burnout rewires the brain, affecting emotional regulation and executive functioning
• How burnout mimics trauma responses, including an overstimulated amygdala and reduced ability to downregulate emotions
• The moment I realized I had to make a change—and why many therapists struggle to do the same

Why This Matters:

If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions, struggling to connect with your work or your loved ones, this episode is for you. Burnout isn’t just a phase—it’s a neurological and emotional shift that affects every part of our lives. Understanding what’s happening in the brain can help us recognize the signs earlier and take steps toward real recovery.

Resources:

• Episode 5: How Burnout Rewires Your Brain – A deep dive into the neuroscience of burnout from an earlier episode.
• CDC Heads Up Concussion Training – Free online training for healthcare professionals on concussion awareness.
• Therapist's Experiences of Burnout Article
• Golkar Brain and Burnout Article
• How Trauma Changes the Brain-Boston Clinical Trials Website

Join the Conversation:

Have you ever experienced burnout to the point of feeling disconnected from yourself? What helped you recover? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on [LinkedIn].

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 all the good stuff and I write back: The Burned Out Therapist Pen-Pal List

That's exactly what my guest, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby, did.

Forget the couch, she hit the open road in an Airstream. For a whole year! That's right, a year of trading in the traditional practice for the open road. Today, Dr. Bobby is sharing how that wild adventure led to a thriving practice and a life she truly loves. We're diving into her journey, from the depths of burnout to the freedom of the Airstream, and how she ultimately found a way to build a career that resonated with her soul.

Key Takeaways:

• • Multiple Burnout Chapters:Dr. Bobby experienced significant burnout during her doctoral internship, marked by overwork, vicarious trauma, and feeling inadequate in all areas of her life.
  • She later faced burnout in her solo private practice due to feeling ineffective with clients whose needs didn't align with traditional clinical therapy models.
  • The Impact of ADHD:Dr. Bobby discusses how her undiagnosed ADHD contributed to her stress, particularly in managing administrative tasks and time management.
  • She also highlights the "superpowers" associated with ADHD, such as flexibility and a different approach to life.
  • Life-Changing Decisions:A period of intense burnout led Dr. Bobby and her husband to take a year-long road trip in an Airstream, demonstrating the possibility of radical life changes.
  • This lead to a life of more joy, and less conformity.
  • Evolving Career and Coaching Psychology:Dr. Bobby found renewed purpose by incorporating coaching psychology into her practice, which better served clients with non-clinical needs.
  • She emphasizes that therapists have more career options than they are often taught, and she seeks to empower her supervisees to explore these possibilities.
  • Supervision and Empowerment:As a clinical supervisor, Dr. Bobby aims to provide a different perspective to early career clinicians, offering hope and showing them they can design their own careers.
  • She tries to help clinicians see their own strengths, and to not make career decisions from a place of depletion.
  • Challenging Traditional Paths:The interview touches on the pressures placed on therapists to conform to traditional career paths, such as taking insurance or solely focusing on clinical work.
  • She stresses that there are many different successful paths to take.
  • The importance of recognizing personal needs:Dr. Bobby highlights the importance of recognizing when life needs to change, and that it is okay to make those changes.

Connect with Jen

• Website: www.drjenblanchette.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenblanchette/
• Newsletter: The Burned Out Therapist Pen-Pal List

Connect with Dr. Bobby

Website: www.growingself.com

Quick note: Enrollment is open for Love It or Leave It (Leaving the Chair).

Closes January 30 (at the time of recording).

Join Love It or Leave It (Open Enrollment):

https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/jhvxnbroxe

Book a consult call (limited availability):

https://calendar.app.google/JBkK3aUPXyvxr46F7

Micah Freeman interviews Jen for Episode 100.

We talk about milestones, burnout (in real life), cognitive overload, and why so many therapists are done with 1:1 as it’s currently structured.

• What 100 episodes actually feels like (and why “arrival” doesn’t land the way we expect)
• The arrival fallacy and the “have done list”
• Jen’s current relationship with burnout and learning to be gentler with herself
• Cognitive burnout: screens, tabs, constant input, nervous system fatigue
• The added layers for many therapists: caregiving, emotional labor, hormones/menopause
• Why Jen started studying burnout before becoming a psychologist (therapeutic foster care)
• Burnout vs depression and the overlap in symptoms
• Therapist isolation, clinical grief, and why support matters
• Community, meaning, and the messy middle of spirituality/faith
• Why listener emails and reviews matter more than you think

• “Earth School is very hard.”
• “There are only so many times you can walk through fire and not get burned.”
• “I wanted to give it the breadth of time. 100 felt like doing that.”

• What am I waiting to achieve so I can finally feel okay?
• What would be on my “have done list” this year?
• What’s burning me out most: work, life load, cognitive overload, or all of it?
• What would a sustainable next step look like (not a dramatic pivot)?

Micah Freeman

Website: egostrength.net

Podcast: the self-study lab

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 adolescent health centers and Mount Sinai Hospital. She addresses the unique impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health professionals and explores the notion of therapists becoming part of their clients' emotional lives.

Get Support:

• Are you ready to leave therapy? Jennifer discusses her coaching services aimed at helping therapists navigate burnout, offering strategies like pausing, creating a 90-day game plan, and providing ongoing support. https://drjenblanchette.com/love-it-or-leave-it-coaching/
• Join the list: I send weekly burnout tips and stories to my list. I write back :)

Karen's website: https://expressivetalks.com/

Ever felt that following your to become a therapist has led you to burning out and resenting your work? Or that you're not sure that becoming a therapist was the best choice for you. In today's episode, we're uncovering the truth behind the passion hypothesis and why your skills might trump your passion when it comes to finding career happiness.

We delve into the controversial ideas presented in Cal Newport's book, "So Good They Can't Ignore You," and explore why the common advice to "follow your passion" might actually be leading us astray. If you're a therapist thinking about quitting your role or significantly changing your career, this discussion is especially for you.

Key Takeaways:

1. Passion vs. Skills:
   • Cal Newport argues that following your passion is not the key to career satisfaction.
   • Most people do not have pre-existing passions related to work.
   • Developing skills and career capital is more important for job satisfaction.
2. The Reality of Burnout:
   • Burnout is a significant issue in the therapy profession, often exacerbated by the pressure to follow one's passion.
   • Therapists may find themselves paralyzed by too many ideas and directions, leading to burnout.
3. The Passion Hypothesis:
   • The assumption that everyone has a pre-existing passion waiting to be discovered is flawed.
   • Passions are often unrelated to work or education and tend to be hobby-like interests.
4. Steve Jobs’ Misinterpreted Advice:
   • While Steve Jobs advised to "do what you love," his own path to founding Apple was not driven by passion but by opportunity and skill development.
5. Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness:
   • According to Self-Determination Theory, these three factors are essential for intrinsic motivation at work.
   • Therapists need to consider these elements to find fulfillment, especially in private practice where relatedness can be challenging.
6. Career Capital:
   • Building valuable skills and expertise in your field (career capital) is crucial.
   • Passion can develop from becoming skilled and achieving mastery in your work.
7. The Privilege of Choice:
   • The ability to follow one’s passion is a privilege not everyone has.
   • A more practical approach is to focus on developing skills that make you valuable in your career.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport
• Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

Episode Quote: “Follow your passion might just be terrible advice. Focus on developing valuable skills and career capital to find true job satisfaction.”

Send me an email I'd love to connect: info@drjenblanchette.com

Links to my freebie and connect with a free consult call to Un*uck Your Practice: https://linktr.ee/drjenblanchette

In this solo podcast episode, Dr. Jen Blanchett reflects on the year 2023, discussing the wins, disappointments, and lessons learned. She encourages therapists and mental health professionals to celebrate their accomplishments, such as certifications and successful client outcomes.  She also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging personal growth and overcoming mindset challenges.

Dr. Blanchette shares her own experiences with burnout and the journey towards finding joy and purpose again. She encourages listeners to take stock of their wins, losses, and disappointments, and consider the lessons they've learned. Sometimes we have to learn to take an L (loss).

Looking ahead to 2024, she explores themes of enoughness, playfulness, and rest, highlighting the importance of self-care and wellbeing amidst the demands of the profession.

Links to all my stuff free and paid: linktr.ee/drjenblanchette

In this episode, I dive into the newest burnout buzzword making its way across the workplace: quiet cracking. Unlike quiet quitting, which is a conscious decision to pull back, quiet cracking describes the inner unraveling behind a professional mask. You may look fine, you may even be excelling, but inside you’re falling apart.

I share what this term reveals—and what it misses—about the lived reality of burnout, depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and clinical grief. I talk about my own experiences of quietly cracking during the pandemic, why interoception is key to recognizing early signs, and how we keep pushing until the cracks explode.

We’ll also look at why women burn out more, what Gen Z is teaching us about burnout, and why business solutions that stop at wellness apps or “new tasks” are missing the point. Real talk: when you’re depressed, the last thing you need is more to do.

• What “quiet cracking” means and why it resonates right now
• The difference between quiet quitting and quiet cracking
• Why therapists and helpers often still “show up” while quietly falling apart
• How interoception—the ability to sense what your body is telling you—can signal cracks before collapse
• How burnout overlaps with depression and anxiety, and why that granularity matters for care
• The unique layers of therapist burnout: compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, moral injury, and clinical grief
• Why women experience higher rates of burnout, and how structural inequities add to the load
• Why Gen Z may be the “burnout canary in the coal mine” and what older generations can learn
• Why corporate fixes like wellness apps and new assignments won’t address the root of burnout
• What systemic and clinical solutions could actually make a difference

• Quiet cracking defined: The silent unraveling masked by productivity and professionalism.
• Still showing up: Therapists (and many helpers) keep going until they literally cannot get out of the car.
• The soda can metaphor: Repressing stress until it bursts, often in dramatic and uncontrollable ways.
• Women and burnout: Research shows women experience higher rates of burnout than men, especially in caregiving roles.
• Coco Gauff at the US Open: A moment of visible emotion in elite sports and what it teaches us about pressure, performance, and mental health.
• Brain injury work parallel: Patients told “it’s just anxiety” when trauma was driving their symptoms—mirroring how burnout gets flattened and misdiagnosed.
• My pandemic experience: I thought I was burned out, but I was also deeply depressed, having panic attacks, and living with anxiety. Even as a licensed psychologist, I missed it at first.
• Granularity matters: Burnout can look like depression, and depression can look like burnout. Compassion fatigue, moral injury, and trauma complicate the picture.
• Gen Z and screen time: Rates of depression and anxiety have skyrocketed since smartphones became central to adolescence. Gen Z is speaking the truth older generations have hidden.
• The cost of quiet cracking: A recent Fortune article reported it’s costing companies $438 billion in lost productivity. On paper, the job market looks stable, but 60–80 percent of workers are burned out.
• Business solutions fall short: Assigning new tasks to someone who is depressed or burned out isn’t just ineffective—it’s cruel. A culture fix without systemic and clinical backbone is a band-aid on a crack in a dam.

When you’re depressed, the last thing you need is more tasks. Business keeps trying to treat burnout like a morale problem instead of a health problem. We need lighter workloads, peer support, real mental health care access, and fair pay for providers. Without that, no wellness app or gratitude journal will make burnout better.

• Episode 70: Burnout or Depression? Let’s Get Granular
• Episode 74: Burned Out, Dysregulated, Still Showing Up
• WHO ICD-11 burnout definition: Read here
• BMJ Open systematic review on organizational burnout interventions: Read here
• Fortune article on quiet cracking and workplace cost: Read here

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): 988lifeline.org
• Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or talksuicide.ca
• International directory: findahelpline.com
• NAMI Frontline Wellness: Support for healthcare and mental health workers

• Pen-Pal List for Therapists: Weekly reflections and resources Sign up here
• LinkedIn: Dr. Jen Blanchette

Winners never quit...spoiler alert, they do! In this episode, the host reflects on her recent vacation and the challenges of traveling with children. She discusses the clinical responsibility of holding a caseload and the difficulty of leaving work behind. The theme of quitting is explored, with the host emphasizing that quitting is not a sign of weakness but a testament to strength and self-awareness. She encourages therapists to make strategic decisions and offers support and coaching for those considering a change in their practice or career.

Takeaways

• Traveling with children can be challenging, but as they grow older, it becomes easier.
• The clinical responsibility of holding a caseload can be emotionally and mentally draining.
• Therapists should choose clients they can best serve and consider discharging clients who are not meeting treatment goals.
• Quitting is not a sign of weakness but a strategic decision that demonstrates strength and self-awareness.
• Therapists should reframe their perspective on quitting and make choices that align with their well-being and career goals.

Links to my free 20-minute consult, and the rest of my free stuff: 

Get personal reflections, nervous system healing practices, and soul-soothing songs that don’t make it to the podcast.

👉 Sign up here:https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Is your brain full—but you can’t name half of what you’re holding?

This week in the first edition of Structured Rest Jen explores the cognitive load of therapist burnout—what it feels like, why it happens, and how to begin recovering. From forgotten notes to invisible mental tasks, many therapists feel like they’re failing when in reality, their brains are simply overloaded.

Drawing from her background in brain injury rehab, Jen introduces a practical way to start making space: the brain dump. She walks you through how to do it, what to do with what comes out, and how it fits into a bigger weekly rhythm of recovery.

This episode is equal parts practical and personal—complete with a live brain dump demo, reflections on parenting overload, invisible labor, and why so many of us struggle to hold it all.

• What cognitive burnout looks like for therapists (and why it’s not your fault)
• Why memory, focus, and executive function suffer during chronic overload
• A gentle reframe from Jen’s work in brain injury: your brain needs support, not pressure
• The Delete–Delay–Delegate framework for reducing mental load
• A real-time example of Jen’s weekly brain dump
• How to make it a practice, not a one-time fix
• A preview of what’s next: calendar audits and energy drains

→ Set a 5-minute timer. Brain dump everything: clinical, personal, emotional, invisible.

→ Then review:

• What can be deleted?

• What can be delayed?

• What can be delegated?

→ Schedule the rest—or give it a home so your brain doesn’t have to hold it anymore.

• 📚 The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• → Link to the book and research
• 📄 Atlantic Article: Why Parents Are Bringing Back Landlines
• → Read it here
• 🎶 Trevor Hall – “You Can’t Rush Your Healing”
• → Listen on Spotify
• 🔁 Previous episodes referenced:
  • Ep. 63 – Therapist Burnout and the Brain
  • Ep. 64 – Tips for Overwhelm
  • Ep. 65 – Overbooked and Overwhelmed

Is It the Session or the Schedule?

A deep dive into your calendar and energy audit—how to identify emotional drain points and restructure your time to support recovery, not just survival.

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, or you’re doubting your ability to make a change, this episode is for you.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• Navigating Burnout:
• I share the challenges of working through burnout without adequate recovery time and how my body reminded me to slow down.
• Impostor Syndrome Insights:
• Hear how I overcame doubts in my psychological assessment abilities and learned to appreciate the value I bring to my roles.
• Recognizing Transferable Skills:
• Discover how your expertise as a therapist can translate into new opportunities and help you thrive in unexpected ways.
• The Power of Reflection:
• I encourage you to write your 2024 story—focusing on facts, feelings, and the shifts you’ve experienced—to uncover areas for growth and self-compassion.
• Reframing Mindset and Expectations:
• Learn how to neutralize negative self-talk, manage unrealistic expectations, and view yourself with kindness, especially during burnout.

Resources Mentioned:

• Before You Quit Guide: A resource to help untangle your burnout and identify next steps for managing your career and well-being.
• Financial Systems with Rameet Sethi: Practical strategies to align your money with your values and goals.
• Episode 22 Money Scripts: https://drjenblanchette.com/podcast/022-therapist-money-scripts-how-therapists-can-move-from-money-shame-and-financial-burnout-to-awareness/

Actionable Takeaways:

• Reflect on Your Year:
• Write your 2024 story—beginning, middle, and end. Look for patterns of depletion, burnout, or sticky thoughts, and hold them with curiosity and compassion.
• Embrace Neutrality:
• Shift to a neutral perspective when it’s hard to see the positives. Ask yourself, “What’s the next best thought I can think about this?”
• Redesign Your Environment:
• Consider what environmental changes you need to feel supported—whether it’s delegating tasks, simplifying routines, or seeking help.

A Note from Jen:

Thank you for tuning in and for all the messages, DMs, and consult calls you’ve shared with me this year. Your stories inspire the direction of this podcast and the work I do with therapists like you. Remember, you don’t have to live the way you’re living now. Change is possible—it just takes time and intention.

Connect with Me:

• Grab the Before You Quit Guide
• Grab my Free Money Guide for therapists who want to quit

Next Week:

Tune in for a year-end recap and a look ahead to January, with exciting guests and burnout stories to inspire and support you in the new year.

Subscribe to the Leaving the Chair Newsletter: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Are you a therapist who keeps adding certifications, trainings, and credentials, hoping that this one will finally make you feel like you're enough? In this episode, Jen gets personal about the inner voices of imposter phenomenon — the ones that say "I failed," "I'm not cut out for this," and "how did I get it all so wrong?" — and shares the reframes (and the time it actually takes to get there) that helped her find compassion for herself and her journey.

IN THIS EPISODE

The knowledge trap in independent practice When we're working alone, we rarely get to mirror our expertise back to others — and that silence can make us feel like we're missing something. Jen explores how that feeling can send us chasing certifications instead of addressing what's actually going on.

The dog walker who hit different Jen's new dog walker is a former ornithologist who left her career and summed it up simply: "I was never done." That phrase perfectly captures the arrival fallacy — the belief that once you hit a certain milestone (the EMDR cert, the LLLP, the full fee), you'll finally feel like you've arrived.

The voices of imposter phenomenon Some of the loudest thoughts Jen experienced during burnout: "I'm not cut out for this. I failed. I worked so hard — how did I get it all so wrong?" She shares why these thoughts are so sticky, and why it can take years (not weeks) to move from being stuck in them to finding a true reframe.

Tools for distancing from looping thoughts You already have these tools — now use them on yourself. Jen encourages therapists to apply the CBT and mindfulness techniques they use with clients to their own imposter thoughts: visualizations, cognitive defusion, and anything that creates distance between you and the story your brain is telling.

The reframe that took three years "Of course you needed a break." Holding a therapy practice through a pandemic, as a mother of young children — of course that was too much. Jen reflects on the compassion she's finally found for herself, and invites you to find yours too.

Slowing down instead of piling on Instead of launching a new program or changing your whole practice model, what if the answer was to prune? To get quiet? To figure out what you actually need? Jen makes the case for softening — and for finding someone to help you sort through it.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Episode 105 — Certifications and burnout: are you adding credentials to solve the wrong problem? Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therapist-burnout-podcast-mental-health-business-and/id1698139097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z1uyhMcqZHh2SH1uCZaZx

Leaving the Chair Newsletter — practical, honest writing for therapists who are burned out, burned through, or just figuring out what's next. Going twice monthly. https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Thanks for listening. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a therapist friend who needs to hear it — and subscribe to the newsletter for more at https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

📬 Get my burnout support letters in your inbox: Join the Therapist Burnout Pen-Pal List for monthly notes, voice memos, private podcast drops, and real-talk support from someone who’s been there. 👉 https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Earlier this year, I thought I was burned out—again. I even joined a burnout group. But nothing shifted. Eventually, I had to face the truth: I wasn’t just burned out. I was depressed.

In this episode, I’m unpacking why therapists often miss the signs of depression in themselves, how burnout gets misused as a catchall term, and why naming what’s really going on can change everything.

What we cover:

• Burnout vs. depression — how to tell the difference
• The research behind burnout’s loose definition (142 of them!)
• Why therapist burnout often includes clinical grief, moral injury, and vicarious trauma
• What helped me through a depressive episode this year
• The nervous system toll of not stopping—and how I finally did
• How language shapes the support we seek
• A reframe: what’s underneath “I’m just so burned out”?

🔎 Key idea:

🛠 Resources mentioned:

• Rotenstein et al. (2018) meta-analysis on burnout definitions
• Guille & Sen (2024) on burnout vs. depression
• World Health Organization burnout definition
• My experience with postpartum and professional depression
• Clinical grief after losing clients
• Therapist-specific supports: NAMI Warmline and others

💡 Want more?

• Join the Pen-Pal List
• Follow me on LinkedIn
• Work with me – Coaching for Burned Out Therapists

You are not meant to live in a constant state of depletion. If you’re carrying something heavy, this episode is for you.

This episode of the Finding Joy After Burnout podcast delves into the challenges therapists face when contemplating change in their careers. Dr. Jen Blanchette explores the inherent pull towards stability and routine that comes with age, and how this often clashes with the desire for personal growth and exploration. She discusses the fear, shame, and feelings of abandonment that therapists may experience when considering leaving therapy or changing their roles. Drawing on her EMDR training, Dr. Blanchette shares a reframing technique to help therapists navigate these complex emotions and make informed decisions. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with peers and seeking support outside of the therapy room to understand the emotional toll of the work and the need for professional change. This thought-provoking episode offers valuable insights and encouragement for therapists looking to embrace change and find joy after burnout.

Check out my before you quit journal prompt guide for therapists who want to quit their practice or career:https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64c669fa7e6b513e5bacc64e

Let's go back in the way back machine. Jen Blanchette reflects on their career journey as a psychologist, sharing insights on what they would do differently if given a second chance. Discussing their transition from private practice to school psychology, the conversation touches on the importance of setting boundaries, managing emotions, and navigating the challenges of therapist burnout. The host also previews upcoming podcast topics, including the unique aspects of therapist burnout and the impact of election cycles on therapy sessions.

Have we really talked about the impact of the pandemic on therapists? I don't think so! Emily Irwin shares her burnout story, which includes experiences in the school system and private practice. She discusses the challenges of working in a dual role as a school psychologist and counselor, the impact of stress on her mental and physical health, and the decision to leave the school district and open a private practice. She also talks about the additional challenges and burnout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressure to fix clients, and the fear and restrictions imposed by the profession. Emily also explores the concept of masking and the toll it takes on neurodiverse individuals, as well as the importance of showing up as our true selves in therapy. The conversation explores the idea of healing in community settings and challenges the traditional one-on-one therapy model. It discusses the impact of the mental health industrial complex and the need for systemic changes in the field. The conversation also touches on burnout in private practice and the search for joy and meaning in life. The concept of play and its role in healing and regulating the nervous system is highlighted.

Takeaways

• Working in a dual role in the school system can lead to burnout due to the high workload and diverse responsibilities.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional challenges and stress to the field of therapy, including the shift to virtual sessions and ethical considerations.
• The pressure to fix clients and the fear instilled by ethics training can contribute to therapist burnout.
• Masking, or hiding one's true self to be socially accepted, is common among neurodiverse individuals and can contribute to burnout.
• It is important for therapists to show up as their authentic selves in therapy and create a space where clients can do the same. Healing in community settings has been a traditional approach in many cultures, and there is a need to explore alternative therapeutic models that prioritize collective healing.
• The mental health field is influenced by the mental health industrial complex, which treats mental health as a commodity and often fails to prioritize the well-being of therapists and clients.
• Burnout in private practice can be addressed by setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and exploring alternative ways of practicing therapy.
• Finding joy and meaning in life involves adding activities and experiences that bring joy and regulating the nervous system, rather than focusing on restrictions and limitations.
• Play is an essential aspect of human well-being and can contribute to healing and regulating the nervous system.

More From Emily: https://www.emilyirwin.com/about

More From Jen: www.drjenblanchette.com

Are you a therapist who's ready to quit? I've got you. Let's talk on a free 15 minute consult call: https://drjb.hbportal.co/schedule/6160e28b5e574330da01b03d

Hey there, fellow therapists! 🌟 Get ready to dive into a game-changing topic that hits close to home. In this episode, we're unraveling the fascinating link between burnout and brain science. A Swedish study has spilled the beans on how burnout messes with our brain circuits, and we've got the inside scoop just for you.

Here's the link to that study: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0104550

Picture this: chronic stress meets neural circuitry, and the results are mind-blowing. We're talking about more than just feeling tired. This discovery could flip the script on how we understand and tackle burnout, not just in our clients but in ourselves too. So, if you're up for some eye-opening insights and a dash of self-care wisdom, tune in – because balancing your well-being is about to get a whole lot more intriguing! 🧠🌈

Full show notes here: www.drjenblanchette.com

In this Ask Me Anything episode, I answer a listener’s heartfelt question:

“How could a newer therapist — about one year into practice — navigate a trauma-heavy caseload while dealing with the grief of a parent being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer?”

We talk about what it means to hold space for others while you’re also going through a personal crisis — especially in the early years of your career when you may be more vulnerable to burnout. I share my own experiences navigating depletion during COVID, the vicarious trauma that caught me off guard early in my career, and the emotional output of early motherhood after my son’s traumatic birth.

This is a conversation about capacity, permission, and the small but essential ways you can create rhythms of rest in seasons where life feels unbearably heavy.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• The reality for early-career therapists:
  • The 2025 Moodle study showing younger and early-career therapists are statistically more prone to burnout.
  • Why newer therapists often get assigned the most acute, complex cases — and how that intersects with personal crises.
• The double impact of primary and secondary trauma:
  • How your own grief or crisis can combine with the emotional load of trauma work.
  • What happens to the nervous system when you stay in prolonged sympathetic dominance.
• My personal experiences in difficult seasons:
  • Developing panic attacks during COVID and not realizing my depletion until burnout hit.
  • Losing two clients during the pandemic and only later recognizing the emotional toll.
  • The vicarious trauma I experienced working with an infant loss case while pregnant — and what I wish I’d done differently.
  • The underestimated emotional output of early motherhood after my son’s traumatic birth, and launching a private practice when I hadn’t yet healed.
• Questions to ask yourself in a crisis season:
  • What is my true capacity for work right now?
  • Is there other income I can earn that is less emotionally demanding?
  • Is there financial wiggle room to take time off?
  • What can I put down, even temporarily?
• Rhythms of rest and restoration in busy, painful seasons:
  • Short walks between sessions, one work-free evening a week, connection with friends.
  • Rituals and spiritual practices to mark beginnings, middles, and ends.
  • Calling in favors and receiving help without guilt.
• A reminder for every therapist:
  • “Put the stones down. The river will carry them now.”
  • You are worthy of the same care you give others.

Listener Spotlight

I share a review from Alison in CA that truly made my day:

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Join my free Pen-Pal List for behind-the-scenes stories, resources, and a place to submit your own AMA question (direct submission): drjenblanchette.com/therapist-burnout-podcast or the pen-pal list: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb
• If you’ve been enjoying the show, I’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts — I read every one, and they mean so much.

Today, we're going to do a quick recap of June and give you a sneak peek of what’s coming in July. Last month, we dove deep into the topic of money. We explored money scripts, how therapists can move from money shame and financial burnout to awareness. If you missed it, definitely go back and check out episode 22—it’s full of great insights!

• Money Scripts: In episode 22, we discussed how therapists can overcome money shame and financial burnout. This sparked a lively discussion on LinkedIn—if you’re not connected with me there, come find me! I post a lot of content there, and I’d love to chat with you. Just look up Jennifer Blanchett, licensed psychologist, host of the Therapist Burnout podcast.
• Therapists Judging Each Other: We also talked about how tough it can be out there in the therapy community. I shared a story about raising my fees during the pandemic and the backlash that came from some fellow therapists. It’s a reminder that we need to support each other and not tear each other down, especially when it comes to financial decisions.
• Ethical Principles: We touched on the ethical principles of social workers and psychologists, emphasizing that while we should strive to help others, there’s no enforceable rule that says we must take low fees or accept insurance. It’s about finding a balance that allows us to provide some pro bono services while also making a living.

• Therapist Burnout Deep Dive: I’m excited (and a little nervous) to finally tackle a mega episode on therapist burnout. This has been on my mind for a while, and I want to break it down into three key points to avoid overwhelming you. We’ll look at why so many therapists are burning out, with a focus on administrative burdens and other contributing factors.
• LinkedIn Conversations: Our discussions on LinkedIn have been so rich and engaging. We’ve talked about the undervaluation of mental health work, the financial challenges therapists face, and the sacrifices we make early in our careers. If you haven’t joined the conversation, now’s the time!

• Self-Care: In August, we’ll dive into the concept of self-care, backed by research. I’m also planning to discuss the idea of “weaponized self-care”—the notion that if we just take more bubble baths or breaks, we can avoid burnout. Spoiler: it’s not that simple. We’ll explore realistic, research-backed ways to care for ourselves and prevent burnout.

• LinkedIn: I’m very active on LinkedIn, and it’s a great place to continue the conversation. Find me under Jennifer Blanchett, with two t’s and an e.
• Consult Calls: If you’re feeling stuck in your career, whether you’re considering starting a private practice, need help with burnout, or are thinking of leaving therapy for a while, I’m here to support you. Book your Career Refresh consult call to figure out the first steps in making a change here

Email me: info@drjenblanchette.com

https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/jhvxnbroxe

In this quick episode, I’m recapping the live webinar I just hosted on burnout and pivots — and what surprised me most wasn’t the content… it was the honesty in the questions.

A lot of therapists who showed up were already in motion: closing their practice, leaving a job, or standing right on the edge of a big change. And it reminded me how common this really is — and how heavy it feels when you’re trying to figure it out alone.

I also share why I’m opening my 12-week group experience, Leaving the Chair, and how it’s designed to be supportive (not content-heavy) for therapists who are trying to make real decisions in the middle of burnout.

• Why the questions weren’t casual — they were vulnerable and real
• The themes I keep attracting: practice closure, leaving therapy, and “I can’t do this anymore”
• How much life it gave me to hold space with therapists who get it

1. Burnout makes decision-making feel impossible
2. When you’re fried, your brain treats everything like danger — and it’s hard to trust yourself.
3. “What job should I do?” isn’t the real question
4. There are infinite options — the deeper work is learning what your body and life can hold right now.
5. Your pivot doesn’t have to be dramatic
6. A slower move can be more sustainable (unless your body is forcing an emergency exit).
7. The Career Traffic Circle (broad strokes)
   • Stop / pause (sabbatical, medical leave, real break)
   • Slow down (reduce intensity, reduce clients, contract work)
   • Bridge (off-ramp immediate income or on-ramp training)
   • Full pivot (usually later — after stabilization)
8. Identity grief is real
9. Untethering from “I am a therapist” can bring grief, confusion, and shame.
10. Termination and closure always come to the table
11. Client reactions, ethical goodbyes, and the emotional load of wrapping up.
12. The biggest problem is doing it alone
13. This is hard work — and isolation makes it heavier.

Leaving the Chair is a 12-week group experience for therapists who want support making a pivot — without panic decisions.

• Starts: Friday, February 6
• Meets: Fridays at 2:00 PM Eastern
• Investment: $950
• Includes: 12 group sessions + 4 guided workshops + supportive circles focused on space, feedback, and decision support (not content overload)
• Spots available: 5
• Registration closes: Saturday, January 31 at midnight

👉 Register here: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/jhvxnbroxe

Join my Pen Pal list here:

https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

• Email: info@drjenblanchette.com
• LinkedIn: @drjenblanchette (DM me — I’ll reply)

If you’re in the “I can’t do this anymore” season, you’re not failing — you’re overloaded. And you don’t have to make these decisions by yourself.

Join Dr. Jen Blanchette in a candid coaching conversation with Christa Harrison, a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community. Christa opens up about her journey through burnout, career transitions, and her commitment to supporting queer providers and allies.

🌟 Shifting Paths: Discover how Christa is transitioning from traditional therapy to coaching while overcoming burnout.

🌈 Community Connection: Learn about Christa's initiative to create a network of support for queer professionals and allies.

❤️ Personal Insights: Gain valuable takeaways for your own career and personal growth.

For the full show notes, transcripts, resources and links, visit www.drjenblanchette.com.

Link to my freebie here: Before you Quit: A guide for therapists

Stay inspired and empowered with this engaging coaching episode. Click follow in your podcast player for more transformative conversations!

Therapist burnout recovery isn’t a one-time fix.

It’s not about prevention.

And it’s definitely not about productivity.

It’s about returning to yourself—again and again—with care, rhythm, and nervous system awareness.

In this final episode of the Structured Rest series, I’m bringing it all together and walking you through the full framework that’s emerged from my own lived experience with burnout, my work as an EMDR therapist and neuropsychologist, and the patterns I’ve seen in so many other helping professionals.

You’ll hear how this framework centers on rhythm over rescue, and why most burnout advice misses the mark when it focuses on quick fixes instead of deep, cyclical recovery.

• Why I don’t believe in burnout prevention and what actually helps
• The nervous system science behind long-term burnout and shutdown
• A reframe of recovery that mirrors substance recovery: it’s active, it’s ongoing
• The full 3-part Structured Rest Framework:

1. Release

→ Let go of what’s too heavy.

This includes:

• Delegating, delaying, deleting
• Weekly and daily brain dumps
• Caseload pruning
• Digital detoxing and minimizing cognitive burnout (especially phone use)

2. Regulate

→ Support your nervous system in real, sustainable ways:

• Sleep, nourishment, and gentle movement
• Connection as a healing rhythm (planned, not just spontaneous)
• Creating margin—because you are terrible at estimating how long things take (we all are)
• Start with one thing: one meal, one walk, one friend

3. Return to Rhythm

→ Create sabbatical structures that honor your life:

• Daily pauses like unplugged meals and movement
• Weekly rituals for rest, not just recovery
• Seasonal time off and reflection
• Let rest be something you live by, not something you earn

• The metaphor of my tiger lily garden (yes, really)
• Why phone addiction is tied to social connection, especially for women
• The “phone foyer method” I learned from Cal Newport
• Why the phrase “burnout to breakthrough” makes me want to gag
• And how I’m still recovering—and always will be

August can bring a strange kind of grief for therapists.

You didn’t rest like you hoped. You didn’t finish the thing. And now fall is coming.

In next week’s episode, I’ll explore the seasonal rhythm of private practice, and what to do when you feel caught between not rested and not ready.

Join my Therapist Pen-Pal List for weekly reflections, behind-the-scenes updates, and early access to all my upcoming resources:

• [Practice Closure Plan] coming early fall
• [Burnout Recovery Group Program] launching later this year
• Retreat details, journal prompts, and more

👉 Join the pen-pal list here: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

📬 THE LEAVING THE CHAIR NEWSLETTER For therapists done with burnout, overwhelm, and overscheduling — whether or not you're leaving the chair. Published twice monthly, free, and practical. 👉 Sign up here: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

In this episode: Jen asks the question therapists are thinking but not saying out loud — are certifications in our field kind of like an MLM? She digs into the research, shares her own EMDR certification journey (including the $6,000 price tag), and gives you a real framework for knowing when a certification makes sense — and when burnout is the actual problem you're trying to solve.

What you'll hear:

• Why Jen started her private practice — a new baby, heart surgery, postpartum anxiety, and no real options
• The training gap from grad school — lots of CBT, almost no trauma treatment, and EMDR had a "voodoo" reputation
• Her EMDR journey from PESI training to full EMDRIA certification — and where she actually started to feel competent
• The "MLM ladder" in therapy training: training → advanced training → consultation hours → certification → consultant → trainer — and who's making money at each rung
• The proliferation of low-barrier certifications and what it means when the fine print says "certification does not imply endorsement of clinical competency"
• A side-by-side of a low-barrier DBT credential vs. the DBT-Linehan Board Certification (endorsed by Marsha Linehan herself)
• What the 2025 Dodo Bird meta-analysis tells us about therapy modality and outcomes
• Why burnout makes training feel like the answer — and why it usually isn't
• A practical guide: when to get certified, when it's the wrong move, how to evaluate if a cert is legit, and how to know if burnout is your real issue
• Research mentioned:
  • Boxell et al. (2025) — Dodo Bird meta-analysis, Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. 90 trials, 2014–2024, n=9,637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-025-09712-7
  • Simpson et al. (2025) — EMDR clinical and cost-effectiveness review, British Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.70005
  • Wampold's contextual model — therapeutic alliance, empathy, positive regard, and therapist responsiveness drive outcomes more than modality
  • U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs — trauma prevalence statistics

  Links:

  • 📬 Leaving the Chair Newsletter (twice monthly, free): https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb
  • EMDRIA: https://www.emdria.org
  • DBT-Linehan Board of Certification: https://dbt-lbc.org
  • Maine Association of School Psychologists: https://www.masp.org

Why burned out therapists need rest rhythms—not just time off

📬 Join the Therapist Pen pal list for reflections on therapist burnout recovery, rest, and career shifts:https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

🌐 Explore more burnout recovery tools and podcast episodes: https://drjenblanchette.com/podcast

We didn’t just lose sabbaticals—we replaced them with productivity apps, guilt, and back-to-back Zoom sessions.

In this episode, I explore how the structure of work has slowly pulled therapists away from any sustainable rhythm of rest. From the industrial revolution to the rise of smartphones and always-on culture, therapy work has been swept into a system built on output, not care. We talk about the deeper roots of therapist burnout and how I’ve started reclaiming small, intentional pauses—what I now call “mini sabbaticals.”

Because burned out therapists don’t need another self-care checklist.

They need permission to stop—and the structure to sustain it.

🌀 The historical loss of rest rhythms

We explore how sabbaticals and seasonal rest used to be woven into life, work, and healing—and how they were replaced by industrial and academic productivity models. Even the early roots of therapy included slower pacing and breaks.

📱 Smartphones and the rise of the “anxious generation”

I share insights from Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, including the sharp rise in parenting time, the collapse of unsupervised play, and how that contributes to burnout—especially for therapists who are also parents.

🧠 Therapist burnout as cognitive and emotional overload

We’re not just tired—we’re wired. A 2025 Moodle survey shows that 66% of U.S. workers are burned out, especially younger generations. Therapists are managing caseloads, crisis response, admin, and emotional labor without structural support.

🌿 What “mini sabbaticals” look like in practice

I share how I’m building rhythms of rest into my days, weeks, and seasons—including daily tech-free moments, quarterly pauses, and longer breaks when possible. Not as a luxury—but as a foundation for healing.

This episode is a call to step outside of those systems, even briefly. To name what’s no longer working. And to try something new, even if it’s just a single walk without your phone.

📘 The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt

📊 Moodle 2025 Burnout Survey (66% of U.S. workers)

– Episode 74: Structured Rest Planning

– Episode 76: Delete, Delay, Delegate

– Episode 77: Rest Is Not a Luxury

🤝 Explore coaching options for burned out therapists

In this episode, I’m rejecting the hustle harder / reinvent yourself energy that shows up every January—especially when your nervous system is already fried. Instead, I’m making the case for a soft start: a gentle re-entry that’s doable, realistic, and rooted in your actual capacity.

If you’re stuck between “why even try?” and “I have to change everything right now,” this one’s for you.

Join Love It or Leave It (Open Enrollment):

https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/jhvxnbroxe

Book a consult call (limited availability):

https://calendar.app.google/JBkK3aUPXyvxr46F7

• Why January can feel like a flood for therapists—not a clean slate
• The thesis: you don’t need a January reinvention—after 2025, we need a soft start
• A nervous-system lens: window of tolerance + “titrating” your life (EMDR concept applied to real life)
• The origin of New Year’s resolutions (and why the timing is kind of absurd)
• The shame layer of burnout: “I failed… I should’ve known… I should be stronger”
• A quote (shared by Liz Gilbert) from Leonard Cohen: standing guiltless in the predicament
• The minimum effective dose approach to movement, connection, and nourishment
• “Addition vs. subtraction” with food (and why diet culture can create more stress than we realize)
• How to take small, doable steps toward change (not panic pivots)

“There is a feeling we have sometimes of betraying some mission that we were mandated to fulfill… and the deeper courage was to stand guiltless in the predicament in which you find yourself.”

• 0:00 — “It’s January. The internet wants you to sprint.”
• 1:40 — Thesis: a soft start for 2026 after a tough year
• 4:26 — Window of tolerance + titrating your life
• 5:16 — Fitness instructor story: don’t push past your range
• 6:45 — History: resolutions started in spring, then moved to January
• 9:08 — “The system is broken, not you” + the shame of burnout
• 11:11 — Why winter goals can feel like punishment
• 12:46 — Leonard Cohen quote + “stand guiltless” reflection
• 16:00 — Sponsor break (me) + program invite
• 18:34 — Minimum effective dose: movement, connection, nourishment
• 27:00 — Soft pivots: small actions toward what you want
• 30:03 — Episode 100 teaser: Micah Freeman interviews me

If you’re a therapist who feels fried to a crisp—and you’re fantasizing about doing something else just to breathe again—I created Love It or Leave It, a small group coaching program for therapists who want to quit 1:1 therapy (or at least a lot less of it). We’ll do this softly—nervous-system friendly and practical, so you can make real moves.

Enrollment:

https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/jhvxnbroxe

Consult call:

https://calendar.app.google/JBkK3aUPXyvxr46F7

Episode 100 is next week—my friend Micah Freeman interviews me.

Ending a therapeutic relationship is never easy, whether it’s because you're closing your practice, changing your career path, or setting necessary boundaries to protect your own well-being. In this episode, I share my personal experiences and challenges with therapy terminations, especially when they’re not planned or mutual. We dive deep into the fears therapists often have about letting clients down and the emotional toll that comes with the decision to prioritize your own mental health.

Join me as I discuss the importance of setting boundaries, handling the complex emotions that arise during terminations, and finding ways to ensure both you and your clients feel supported through the transition.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• The common fears therapists experience when deciding to end therapeutic relationships, such as the fear of letting clients down.
• My personal journey with therapy terminations and the impact of these decisions on my practice and personal well-being.
• Strategies for effectively communicating terminations to clients in a way that acknowledges their feelings while setting clear boundaries.
• How to recognize when it's time to make changes in your practice or career for your own mental health and sustainability.
• The importance of self-compassion and self-care during the process of ending therapeutic relationships.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize Your Limits: Understanding and acknowledging your own boundaries is crucial for long-term sustainability as a therapist.
• Clear Communication: Honest, empathetic communication can help ease the transition for both you and your clients.
• Emotional Resilience: Allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with terminations, and seek support when needed.
• Prioritize Clinician Wellbeing in Therapy: Taking care of yourself is not just beneficial for you; it's essential for providing the best care to your clients.

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 12: Secret Grief when a client dies: 012: Secret Grief: Attending to the Loss of Therapists | Dr. Jen Blanchette (drjenblanchette.com)
• Insights into how to handle complex emotions and fears around ending therapeutic relationships.
• APA Guide on Termination: https://www.apaservices.org/practice/good-practice/discontinuing-treatment-issues.pdf

Let's connect!

Are you thinking of quitting your role as a therapist (or drastically reducing 1:1)? Be the first to hear about podcast updates, resources, and ways to work with me by joining my list. I call it the therapist pen-pal letter. I write back! It's a love letter to you. Sign up here: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

From managing the anxiety of cancellations and income dips to navigating family boundaries that get pushed to the limit, today we are covering how to protect your energy this month. Plus, I have a confession: I’m seeing a therapy client again.

In this episode, we are having a real talk about how to handle the holidays—not just as a therapist holding space for others, but as a human being with your own family dynamics, exhaustion, and need for rest.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Soft Pivot Circle: I am officially launching a small, intimate group (6-8 people) for therapists who need to make a career change but feel stuck. We will focus on nervous system care and making decisions without urgency.
• Private Practice Isolation: A listener asks where to find support when you leave the built-in community of an agency. I share my experience and why you need to "know your container."
• The Holiday "Break" Reality: Why family gatherings often require more output than work, and how to manage the guilt of taking time for yourself to regulate.
• Grief Corner: Acknowledging the heavy grief therapists carry, especially regarding client loss and suicide, during the holiday season.
• December Financials: Practical tips for handling the stress of client cancellations and protecting your income during the seasonal dip.

Key Quotes:

Resources Mentioned:

• The Soft Pivot Circle: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/kt57aq4o19
• Structured Rest Series: Check out our summer episodes for a deep dive into my framework for recalibrating a burned-out nervous system.
• https://drjenblanchette.com/podcast/74-burned-out-dysregulated-and-still-showing-up-how-to-find-safety/
• Join the Pen Pal List: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Connect with Me: If you have a question or want to share how you are navigating this season, reply to my newsletter—seriously, it’s really me responding!

Rate & Review: If this episode supported you, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find this community.

Therapists are experts at spotting gaslighting in our clients' lives, but we are often the worst perpetrators of it in our own heads. If you’ve ever thought, "I should be able to handle this" or "If I leave, I’ve failed," you aren't just burned out—you are telling yourself what I call an "A$$hole Story."

In this episode, I’m identifying The Top 5 A$$hole Stories that therapists tell themselves. These are the internal scripts that convince us we are "defective" when we are actually just depleted. They are the lies that keep us stuck in burnout, shame, and paralysis.

From the belief that you "should" be able to handle impossible caseloads, to the fear that you have "no transferable skills," we are breaking down these stories one by one. I also share a bit about my own journey, why "Earth School" is hard for all of us, and why you don't need a perfect plan—you just need a soft pivot.

Key Takeaways: The 5 A$$hole Stories

• A$$hole Story #1: "I should be able to handle this."
  • This is the therapist equivalent of self-gaslighting. We convince ourselves we aren't tough enough, rather than admitting we are working in a system set up for us to fail.
• A$$hole Story #2: "If I leave, I failed."
  • This story is entrenched in our identity. We talk about the grief of leaving and why changing careers isn't a failure—it's statistically normal!
• A$$hole Story #3: "I don't have any other skills."
  • The lie that we are only therapists. We discuss how to recognize your deep well of transferable expertise (like assessment and crisis management).
• A$$hole Story #4: "No one will hire me in this market."
  • The binary thinking that stops us cold. Your next role doesn't have to be a forever career; it can be a bridge or an on-ramp.
• A$$hole Story #5: "I need a perfect plan before I make a move."
  • The paralysis story. Why you don't need a 5-year plan to make a change, and why small, incremental shifts matter.

Resources & Links:

• The Soft Pivot Circle: I am building a small, intimate circle for 2026 for therapists who are lost and need a space to figure out their next micro-turn. Join the waitlist here: https://drjenblanchette.com/coaching/
• Book Recommendation: The No ******* Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't by Robert Sutton.

Memorable Quotes:

Get more therapist real talk on the newsletter for podcast updates, offerings, and my upcoming circles in 2026: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

More from Matt: https://www.thebrink.me/author/matt/

• 📨 Join the Pen Pal list https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb
• 📰 The Shift – Jen’s new LinkedIn newsletter
• → First issue: AI Won’t Solve Therapist Burnout
• 🎙️ Episode 60: Hey Therapist, You Need a Friend

In this episode of The Therapist Burnout Podcast, we move beyond subtracting stressors and start focusing on what to add back in. If you’ve ever asked, “What do I even enjoy anymore?”—this one’s for you.

Jen shares her five pillars of restoration—connection, sleep, nourishment, movement, and play—and guides you in remembering what actually makes you feel like you.

You’ll hear:

• A powerful garden metaphor about tiger lilies and tending your time
• A float-back practice to reconnect with your younger, joyful self
• The Atomic Habits lens on rebuilding: every small action is a vote for who you want to become
• Real talk on friendship loss, depleted joy, and the paradox of needing rest but feeling guilty for taking it
• Encouragement to start tiny: one text, one walk, one joyful moment

“What kind of rest or pleasure have I been denying myself?”

Choose one thing to add back this week—something nourishing, connective, playful, or restful.

Then, protect the space for it with ferocity.

In this episode, I’m inviting you into a raw, honest conversation about your caseload—not just from a productivity lens, but from the reality of what your nervous system is holding.

If you’ve been:

• Bracing yourself before certain sessions
• Stuck in client relationships that feel more obligatory than impactful
• Wondering if you’re doing something wrong because you’re so exhausted after the work…

This episode is for you.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• Why therapists often feel emotionally responsible for outcomes—and how that leads to overfunctioning
• The hidden weight of “drift clients” and how sessions become habit instead of intention
• What alignment actually looks like in therapy (hint: it’s not about ease, it’s about purpose)
• How guilt, training, and scarcity shape unsustainable caseloads
• A quiet caseload audit to help you reflect without judgment
• When it’s time to consult, refer, or ethically discharge—and how to make those decisions without shame

I also share a personal story of how scarcity, motherhood, and medical trauma led me to start a private practice before I was ready—and what I’ve learned since leaving it behind.

🎯 This episode is especially for therapists who:

• Are feeling stuck, depleted, or unsure if 1:1 therapy is still right for them
• Want to make space in their schedule, but feel guilty letting go of certain clients
• Are curious about leaving, pausing, or reimagining their therapy practice
• Need permission to put something down

✨ Resources Mentioned:

• Join the waitlist https://drjenblanchette.com/coaching/
• Practice Closure Plan-Coming Soon!

Next Up:

In the next episode of Structured Rest, we’ll talk about why rest still feels impossible even after you clear your schedule—and how to rebuild safety, pleasure, and connection in your week.

👋 Stay Connected:

If this episode resonated, I’d love for you to share it with a colleague, leave a review, or tag me on social with your reflections. You’re not alone in this work—and you don’t have to figure it out alone, either.

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 life—both at work and at home. We explore the importance of assessing every task, even those that are supposed to be "good for you," and recognizing whether they truly restore or deplete your energy. If you’re feeling stuck in burnout, this episode will help you take small but meaningful steps toward reclaiming control.

Key Takeaways:

• Identifying Energy Drains: Open up your calendar and assess how your commitments make you feel. What’s truly non-negotiable, and what can be adjusted or removed?
• Small, Impactful Changes: Even if you can’t make sweeping career changes right now, there’s always something within your control. This could be as small as rethinking meal planning or offloading a single household task.
• Delegation & Mental Load: Are you carrying an unseen mental load? Whether it’s managing your kids’ schedules or handling everything at home, recognizing these responsibilities can help you ask for support.
• Brain Dumps & Organization: Writing things down—whether on a physical planner, whiteboard, or digital calendar—helps free up mental space and prevents overwhelm.
• Saying No & Setting Boundaries: What are you willing to let go of? Setting clear work and personal boundaries, like not scheduling late appointments or prioritizing deep work, can create more balance.
• Restoring Your Energy: Choose one category each week to focus on—nutrition, sleep, movement, or connection. Even small steps, like sitting down for a proper lunch or planning social time, can make a big impact.
• Scheduling Renewal Time: Building in intentional time for rest and connection is key. Whether it’s playing a sport, planning coffee with a friend, or calling family members, these moments help sustain you.

Resources Mentioned:

• Deep Work & Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Related Podcast Episodes:
  • Ep 63: Burnout and the Brain: https://drjenblanchette.com/podcast/063-therapist-burnout-and-the-brain-why-you-feel-stuck-in-survival-mode/
  • Ep 64: Small Steps to Prevent Overwhelm https://drjenblanchette.com/podcast/064-tips-for-overwhelm-for-therapists-in-burnout/

Final Thoughts: Burnout can make it feel like everything is out of your control, but small shifts add up. What’s one thing you can delegate or say no to this week? And how will you prioritize one act of renewal? Let me know—I’d love to hear from you!

All things therapist burnout and how "good therapist" conditioning shows up. Dr. Jen Blanchette discusses the concept of 'good therapist conditioning' and how it affects therapists in their careers. The host identifies five reasons why this conditioning shows up (and how they are burnout traps): perfectionism, fear of disapproval, sense of responsibility, cultural expectations and societal norms, and identity attachment. The conversation explores how these factors can lead to self-doubt, reluctance to make changes, and a sense of loss when considering alternative career paths. The host encourages therapists to break free from these pitfalls and prioritize their own needs and happiness. 

• Takeaways
• Good therapist conditioning can lead to perfectionism and a fear of making mistakes as well as burnout.
• Therapists often feel a strong sense of responsibility for their clients' well-being.
• Cultural expectations and societal norms can reinforce traditional gender roles and influence therapists' perception of themselves and their careers.
• Attachment to the identity of being a therapist can make it difficult to consider alternative career paths.
• Therapists should prioritize their own needs and happiness and not be afraid to make changes.

Links to my stuff: https://linktr.ee/drjenblanchette

✨ New: The Leaving the Chair Newsletter

Tired of the overwhelm, the over-functioning, and maybe even the therapy chair itself? Leaving the Chair is Dr. Jen's new newsletter for therapists who are ready to stop white-knuckling their careers and start building something that actually feels like theirs.

Sign up here: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb

Show Notes — Bonus Episode: Dr. Jen on the Emotionally Wealthy Podcast

In this bonus episode, Dr. Jen shares a recent guest appearance on the Emotionally Wealthy podcast with Karen Conlon — licensed psychotherapist, coach, and relationship expert. Karen's show explores how childhood conditioning, emotional patterns, and unexamined beliefs quietly shape the way high-achieving adults show up in love, work, and life.

The conversation between Dr. Jen and Karen hits close to home for many therapists: the quiet burnout that doesn't look dramatic, the way we gaslight ourselves into pushing through, and what it actually means to stop over-functioning and start recovering. It's exactly the kind of question that lives at the heart of Dr. Jen's work — what are we even doing here?

Dr. Jen also shares an update on Leaving the Chair, her community for therapists navigating burnout recovery. The content being built there is focused, practical, and designed to help you reclaim clarity and direction — not another overwhelming program, but exactly what's needed.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• The quieter face of burnout — numbness, resentment, and the slow loss of yourself
• How high achievers and helpers learn to sacrifice themselves and call it dedication
• Why self-gaslighting keeps us stuck, and what burnout recovery actually looks like
• An update on Leaving the Chair and what's being developed for the community

Links:

• 📩 Join the Leaving the Chair Newsletter: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb
• 🎙️ Emotionally Wealthy with Karen Conlon on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotionally-wealthy/id1814244500
• 🎙️ The episode featuring Dr. Jen — The Burnout You Don't Recognize: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-burnout-you-dont-recognize-how-over-functioning/id1814244500?i=1000752849777
• 🌐 Karen Conlon's website: https://karenconlon.com

New episode from Dr. Jen in two weeks!

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 effort, how loneliness intersects with burnout and depression, and what we can do to build meaningful relationships—even when it feels impossible.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How loneliness impacts both clients and therapists
• The challenges of treating physiological depression and how it intersects with burnout
• Why adult friendships require more intentional effort than childhood friendships
• The role of proximity, chemistry, and timing in forming lasting connections
• How technology and the rise of smartphones have reshaped social interactions
• Practical strategies for initiating and sustaining adult friendships
• The importance of shifting perspectives from rejection to logistics when making social connections

March Preview:

• Next week features a therapist interview (guest TBA)
• March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, and Jen will explore the concept of "overwhelmed brains"
• As a certified brain injury specialist, Jen will share insights from her work in neuropsychology and burnout prevention

Key Takeaways:

• Depression can make social connection feel impossible, even for therapists who encourage it in clients.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used for depression, but co-occurring issues like anxiety and trauma complicate treatment.
• Adult friendships don’t happen as effortlessly as childhood friendships due to shifting life demands.
• The "great scattering," a term coined by Mel Robbins, describes how careers, families, and other responsibilities pull people away from close friendships.
• Instead of waiting for invites, therapists (and adults in general) should take an active role in fostering friendships.
• Smartphones, while helpful, also contribute to feelings of disconnection and information overload.
• Research shows that meaningful friendships require consistent effort and intentionality.

Listener Engagement:

• How have you navigated friendship as an adult?
• What strategies have worked for you in maintaining deep connections?

Join the conversation on LinkedIn or email Jen with your thoughts! Don’t forget to check out last week’s episode (Ep. 60) for more insights on adult friendships.

Connect with Jen Blanchette:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenblanchette/
• Website: www.drjenblanchette.com

Thank you for tuning in! If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a fellow therapist or leave a review.