If you’re a clinician providing therapy, how many times today have you used the word “boundaries”? Likely in the context of working with someone in their relationships or helping someone try to get more balance in their life.

Now, in your professional context, what comes up when you think of boundaries? Maybe your ethical code and standards of practice, your schedule, client contact (or if you’re like me, always working on ending sessions on time!). You've probably even read the articles. You might have even written one. "Ten Self-Care Strategies for Therapists." "How to Prevent Burnout in Clinical Practice." "The Importance of Boundaries for Helping Professionals."

You have likely done most of what they suggest too. You exercise, go to your own therapy, do the breathwork. You read the books, take the trainings, get supervision. You set boundaries, at least you do your best. You do what you’re supposed to do.

Then why are you exhausted?

I hear this question all the time from mid-career clinicians, the ones with seven, twelve, or eighteen years of experience. The ones who have enough clinical skill to do complex work, supervise others, and who have enough self-awareness to know something is wrong but internalize it as they are the ones doing it wrong.

What if the problem isn't your self-care?

This is the first episode in a multi-part series on clinician sustainability, building on earlier episodes exploring moral injury and the systemic forces shaping clinical work.

Reflection Prompts

1. When you say you're "burned out," what are you actually describing — exhaustion, shame, grief, or a values violation?
2. Which of the four constructs (burnout, secondary traumatic stress, vicarious traumatization, moral injury) most closely maps onto what you're carrying right now?
3. Is your current practice designed for sustainability or for output? Whose interests does that design serve?
4. Where do the Self-Sacrifice or Unrelenting Standards schemas show up in how you relate to your work?

Connect

You hold space for others but where do you go when you need it held for you?

Join me at the ReLit Reset Circle™

A no cost, monthly gathering for therapists who want to stay in this work without losing themselves, while navigating burnout, moral strain, and the emotional weight of practice inside demanding systems.

Next gathering is April 14th 7pm EST where our topic will be “Being Good Enough”.

Register here: https://www.relitpractice.com/circle

Registration gives you access to the replay, subscription to the ReLit Practice Newsletter where I share topics about therapist burnout recovery, moral injury, trauma informed care, and how to stay in this work without losing yourself!

When you register, you'll also get access to the free Reset Checklist, a practical starting point for noticing where your system is right now, and you'll be first in line when doors open for the ReLit Practice program.