2005

The prevention of burnout is a topic that is especially relevant to those of us who work in the field of psychology. The nature of the work in this field places us in near-constant and often intense interpersonal interactions with our clients. Frequently, we find ourselves working within systems that test our abilities to focus fully on our clients and that place numerous other demands on our individual resources. Because of these challenges, the likelihood that we could face emotional and mental depletion during our careers is quite high. At its extreme, the depletion that comes with full-blown burnout can lead to serious personal and professional impairment. Certainly, the costs to our own lives are of concern. However, because there is the distinct possibility that our depletion could be damaging to our clients, the prevention of burnout must be considered not just a concern but an ethical imperative for psychological professionals.