Burnout, caregiving and neglected needs

Presenting Concern

A woman working in a caring profession sought therapy due to increasing burnout, resentment towards the people she supported and growing concerns that she was no longer suited to her work. She felt conflicted by her emotional responses and questioned whether she was truly a caring person.

What We Explored

As therapy progressed, we explored her early relationship with her mother, who experienced significant mental health difficulties throughout her childhood. These experiences had left the client feeling emotionally neglected while developing a strong sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of others.

Over time, it became apparent that her work reflected a longstanding pattern of trying to care for and 'fix' others, while consistently overlooking her own emotional needs. We explored how these unconscious patterns had contributed to feelings of exhaustion, resentment and burnout, alongside an underlying hope that by caring for others, her own unmet needs might eventually be fulfilled.

Outcome

Through developing a greater understanding of these patterns, the client became more aware of her own emotional needs and began to establish healthier boundaries in both her work and personal life. Over time, she reduced her workload and ultimately felt able to pursue a more creative career that reflected her own interests and aspirations, rather than a lifelong sense of responsibility for others