Secure Your Own Oxygen Mask First: Mindful Approaches to Preventing Therapist Burnout

AK-PA members please use coupon code AKPA-Member to receive a 40% discount off published pricing.

This course is available through October 2027

Course Description:

Burnout: “A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that result from long-term involvement in work situations that are emotionally demanding” (Schaufeli & Greenglass, 2001). Clinical psychology is just such an emotionally demanding work situation. As clinicians, we are vulnerable to this physical and emotional exhaustion as well as other signs of burnout such as irritability, discouragement, sense of low personal accomplishment, reduced attention and concentration within session, poor decision-making, and compromised therapeutic relationships. This webinar is intended for psychotherapists who wish to better understand and manage the symptoms of professional burnout in order to be more effective and resilient in this challenging work. In this webinar, we will examine the phenomenon of burnout, along with the related concepts of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Using questionnaires, self-report measures, and discussion we will consider our vulnerabilities and risks for burnout, as well as our resources and strengths. We will identify life domains where we can develop “career-sustaining behaviors” that will not only reduce or prevent burnout but will greatly enhance our work satisfaction and effectiveness. A variety of strategies for monitoring and managing burnout will be introduced, with particular attention to recent contributions from mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies. A bibliography of relevant journal articles and books is provided.

CE: 3.0

Presented by: Chris McCurry, Ph.D.:

Dr. McCurry has been a clinical psychologist practicing in Seattle, Washington, since 1991. He has trained with acceptance and commitment therapy cofounder Steve Hayes at the University of Nevada, Reno and have given over 60 workshops, nationally and internationally, including webinars on professional burnout for the Nevada and Washington state psychological associations.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the various manifestations of burnout and how they can impact both personal and professional well-being
2. Assess their own risks for, and manifestations of, burnout within specific aspects of personal and professional life
3. Develop and implement a plan for career-sustaining behaviors

Cancellation policies

• Refund request due to special circumstances will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Refunded fees may be applied to new membership dues or membership dues renewal.

Alaska Psychological Association (AK-PA) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

AK-PA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.