More than most professionals, psychotherapists need to be aware of the potential for burnout.

But anyone can experience emotional burnout: that irritability, loss of empathy and compassion, and general sense of depletion.

How to avoid burnout?

I like to use the Scarcity Principle to explain this concept. Scarcity is the economic principle which states that there are limited resources and unlimited demands on those resources. We don’t have unlimited money, so we need to make choices in how we spend our money.

Quite similarly, a big part of emotional regulation is learning to manage our emotional resources.

Think of it like a emotional budget. We all have a limited amount of love, care, and attention to give. We certainly have a limited amount of time.

If it feels like you don’t have the ability to choose where you “spend” your emotions, let’s think about it this way. Take a look at your emotional budget. Where are the big drains, the parts of your day that take a lot out of you? It may be dealing with a particular person or situation. Well, if there isn’t a way to avoid the situation, is there a way to make it less stressful? How about moving that appointment to a less stressful time of day? Maybe you need to learn how to say No.

By looking at our days with the eyes of an emotional economist, we can find ways to reduce our emotional overload, a little at a time. 

And let’s not forget the other side of budgeting - income. What are the things that restore you?

Take care of your body first - making sure to be as well rested as possible, eat healthy food, exercise. Emotional self-care can include journaling, spending time with healthy friends and family, prayer, meditation, and taking the time to laugh.

However you restore yourself, and however you spend your emotions, keep an eye out for burnout (or, if you, being emotionally overdrawn). It’s in your power to balance your emotional budget.

Shimmy Feintuch, LCSW CASAC-G maintains a private practice in Brooklyn, NY, and Washington Heights, NYC, with specialties in addictions and anxiety. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Contact: (530) 334-6882 or shimmyfeintuch@gmail.com. 

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