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Is your brain full—but you can’t name half of what you’re holding?

This week in the first edition of Structured Rest Jen explores the cognitive load of therapist burnout—what it feels like, why it happens, and how to begin recovering. From forgotten notes to invisible mental tasks, many therapists feel like they’re failing when in reality, their brains are simply overloaded.

Drawing from her background in brain injury rehab, Jen introduces a practical way to start making space: the brain dump. She walks you through how to do it, what to do with what comes out, and how it fits into a bigger weekly rhythm of recovery.

This episode is equal parts practical and personal—complete with a live brain dump demo, reflections on parenting overload, invisible labor, and why so many of us struggle to hold it all.

🔍 In This Episode:

• What cognitive burnout looks like for therapists (and why it’s not your fault)
• Why memory, focus, and executive function suffer during chronic overload
• A gentle reframe from Jen’s work in brain injury: your brain needs support, not pressure
• The Delete–Delay–Delegate framework for reducing mental load
• A real-time example of Jen’s weekly brain dump
• How to make it a practice, not a one-time fix
• A preview of what’s next: calendar audits and energy drains

🧠 Key Quote:

“Most therapists are carrying a hundred tabs in their mind—and think they’re failing when they can’t hold them all.”

💡 Try This:

→ Set a 5-minute timer. Brain dump everything: clinical, personal, emotional, invisible.

→ Then review:

• What can be deleted?

• What can be delayed?

• What can be delegated?

→ Schedule the rest—or give it a home so your brain doesn’t have to hold it anymore.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• 📚 The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• → Link to the book and research
• 📄 Atlantic Article: Why Parents Are Bringing Back Landlines
• → Read it here
• 🎶 Trevor Hall – “You Can’t Rush Your Healing”
• → Listen on Spotify
• 🔁 Previous episodes referenced:
  • Ep. 63 – Therapist Burnout and the Brain
  • Ep. 64 – Tips for Overwhelm
  • Ep. 65 – Overbooked and Overwhelmed

🔜 Coming Next Week:

Is It the Session or the Schedule?

A deep dive into your calendar and energy audit—how to identify emotional drain points and restructure your time to support recovery, not just survival.