In this deeply personal episode, Matthew shares his experience of hitting the depths of burnout and making the difficult decision to leave his career as a therapist. We discuss the warning signs of burnout, the importance of recognising when therapy work no longer aligns with you, and the courage it takes to step into the unknown. We also explore the stigma surrounding career changes in psychology and how to navigate the uncertainty of forging a new path.

A huge thank you to Matthew for his honesty and vulnerability 💖—burnout is often discussed in theory, but we rarely hear from those in the thick of it. We're so grateful for your insights and hope this conversation resonates with listeners.

If you are experiencing burnout, we encourage you to reach out for support from BeyondBlue, a trusted supervisor, or therapist. 

Guest: Matthew Jackson, Psychologist and Board-Approved Supervisor

LINKS

• Enjoyed this episode? You might like Matthew's previous episodes on What Jobs Can I Get in Psychology?, How to Not do Therapy-Lite with Partners and Friends, How to Really Process What Clients Share With Us, and his Listener Story on Being a Queer Therapist and the Importance of Authenticity
• 'Am I Burnt Out?' Take the Professional Quality of Life self-test on NovoPsych

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

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CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.