As clinicians, the past year has brought unprecedented challenges. The emotionally charged environment of the 2024 presidential election has permeated nearly every aspect of our work, adding layers of complexity to our already demanding roles. Many of us have found ourselves holding space not only for our clients' heightened anxiety, strained relationships, and feelings of helplessness but also for our own responses to this overwhelming climate.
This dual responsibility—to remain present and grounded for our clients while managing our own emotional well-being—can be both deeply fulfilling and profoundly taxing. It is a delicate balance that, when disrupted, can lead to burnout. Supervision, however, has emerged as a vital protective factor, offering a space for reflection, connection, and resilience-building.
Understanding Burnout: A Multi-Dimensional Challenge
Burnout often sneaks up on us, manifesting in subtle ways: physical fatigue, emotional exhaustion, irritability, or even a sense of detachment from our work. Research confirms that clinicians are particularly vulnerable to burnout, especially during times of heightened societal stress.
Rotenstein et al. (2018) underscore the prevalence of burnout in healthcare professionals, attributing it to both external pressures and systemic challenges. Similarly, Hadžibajramović et al. (2019) link psychosocial stressors, such as the polarized political climate, to burnout symptoms. These findings mirror the experiences many of us have encountered this year—navigating not only our clients’ stress but our own reactions to the same turbulent environment.
The Role of Supervision as a Protective Factor
Supervision is more than a professional requirement; it is a lifeline. Beyond discussions of caseloads and interventions, supervision creates a space to explore the personal impact of our work and build resilience against burnout.
In recent sessions, our team has used supervision to reflect on the following:
The Emotional Toll of the Year: How the political and emotional climate has affected both our clients and ourselves.
Somatic Awareness: Tuning into our bodies to identify early signs of burnout, such as tension, restlessness, or fatigue.
Collective Support: Drawing on the energy and presence of the group to foster co-regulation and resilience.
Supervision has allowed us to process not just the challenges of our work but also the challenges of being human in a world filled with uncertainty. By acknowledging these experiences, we reconnect with our purpose and emerge stronger, both individually and as a collective.
A Framework for Self-Assessment
To address burnout, we must first recognize it. A comprehensive self-assessment can help identify imbalances across key areas of life. Consider reflecting on the following dimensions:
Emotional: Are you feeling irritable, detached, or emotionally drained?
Physical: Are you noticing fatigue, tension, or other signs of stress in your body?
Social: Are you feeling isolated or disconnected from your peers, friends, or family?
Spiritual: Are you finding it difficult to connect with your sense of purpose or values?
By pausing to reflect on these areas, we can identify where we need to focus our self-care efforts and make intentional changes.
Integrating Somatic Practices
Incorporating a somatic lens into supervision and self-care has been a game-changer for our team. Simple, intentional practices can help counteract burnout and foster resilience. Here are a few we’ve found especially helpful:
Grounding Exercises: Between sessions, take a moment to center yourself with deep breathing or mindful movement.
Body Awareness: Notice areas of tension during supervision or throughout the day, and release them with small stretches or positional shifts.
Co-Regulation: Lean into the presence of trusted colleagues or supervision groups to feel supported and understood.
Research by Conversano et al. (2020) confirms that mindfulness and self-compassion significantly reduce burnout and improve overall well-being. These practices remind us that tending to our own needs is not optional—it is essential.
Supervision as Collective Healing
Supervision is not just a space for professional growth; it is also a space for collective healing. Through shared experiences, clinicians can find support, validation, and inspiration. Crego et al. (2022) highlight that supportive relationships and self-compassion are key to resilience, a sentiment echoed in our own supervision sessions.
This year, we’ve used supervision to:
Share strategies for maintaining boundaries amidst external stressors.
Acknowledge the difficulty of showing up for clients when our own emotional reserves feel depleted.
Commit to creating a space where vulnerability is welcomed, and connection is fostered.
Moving Forward: Protecting Ourselves and Our Work
As clinicians, we are tasked with being present in extraordinary circumstances. This requires us to prioritize our own well-being as much as we prioritize our clients’. Supervision, self-assessment, and somatic practices are not just tools—they are lifelines that sustain us in this work.
If you’re curious about where you stand, I encourage you to download our
Burnout Self-Assessment Tool to reflect on your emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being. Taking stock of where you are, can be the first step toward recalibrating your balance and finding renewal.
Why This Matters
Supervision reminds us that we are not alone in navigating the intensity of our work. It is a space to reconnect with our purpose, process the weight of our experiences, and emerge more grounded and resilient. Let’s commit to making supervision not just a professional requirement but a space for personal renewal and collective strength.
Together, we can face the challenges of our work and the world around us with strength, compassion, and connection.
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