“At What Cost am I Doing This?” An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of burnout among private practitioner psychotherapists

Burnout is an experience in response to chronic job stressors, understood be composed of three components: exhaustion, cynicism and inefficacy. occupational hazard among psychotherapists that may result poorer quality care for clients a diminished life clinicians. Several quantitative studies have shown are at risk developing burnout given the demanding nature their work. While much research has been carried out with who work organisations, there lack available literature concerning psychotherapy practitioner working private practice. This study aimed gain understanding psychotherapists’ lived experiences while exclusively practice Ireland. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes identified: (a) A Professional Identity Crisis: “maybe I just don't what it takes?”; (b) The Embodiment Burnout: “constantly running on red”; (c) Process Rebalancing: “being real”. participants revealed disillusionment career, alongside self-criticism shame not meeting internalised standards. They illuminated profound felt sense depletion physical unwellness. also shared ongoing process rebalancing rather than recovery from burnout. Participants universally described difficulty identifying articulating findings discussed reference identity, embodiment rebalancing.