In this episode, Jen dives deep into the realities of burnout recovery, practice closure, and how therapists can navigate career shifts without losing themselves in the process. She opens up about her own burnout journey, the need for meaningful rest, and the micro-moments that help signal safety to an overstressed nervous system. Jen also shares insights on ethical considerations for practice closure, balancing personal and professional ethics, and how to create space for career decisions while still in the thick of burnout.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Burnout Recovery Essentials:
- Why recovering from chronic stress takes time and how simple, small steps—like micro-breaks and rest—can make a difference.
- Jen's mantra for 2025: Working at a human pace.
- Navigating Career Decisions in Burnout:
- Why it’s not the time for long-term decisions when you’re in survival mode.
- How Jen is making space to figure out her next steps by adjusting her workload and setting boundaries.
- Practice Closure 101:
- Ethical considerations for closing a practice or leaving a job, including timelines, client communication, and referrals.
- Step-by-step guidance from Jen’s free Practice Closure Guide.
- Personal Reflections on Burnout and Seasons:
- Jen’s experience managing burnout alongside depression and navigating seasonal challenges in Maine’s cold winters.
- Her humorous (but serious) pitch for speaking gigs in Australia during the winter months to escape the cold and attend the Australian Open.
Notable Quotes from Jen:
- "Burnout recovery looks like deep self-care—caring for ourselves in a way that our nervous system knows we are safe."
- "If you’re asking, 'What’s next?' the answer might be to let go of something first."
- "Work doesn’t have to take our whole being anymore."
Resources Mentioned:
- Free Practice Closure Guide: Get Jen’s step-by-step resource for therapists considering closing their practices. https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/closureguide
- Kate Donovan’s Fry the Burnout Podcast: A shoutout to Kate for reminding us about the importance of simple self-care, like peeing when we need to!
Jen’s Call to Action:
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning your next steps, start by creating space to rest and reflect. Download the Practice Closure Guide if you’re contemplating closing your practice, and don’t hesitate to seek support for your burnout recovery.
Connect with Jen:
- Website: www.drjenblanchette.com
Final Thought:
You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Burnout recovery is a process, and small changes can lead to big shifts over time. You’ve got this!
