Effects of Imbalance of Self‐ and Other‐Care on Counselors' Burnout

Abstract

This study was aimed at identifying counselor profiles based on their balance between self‐care and caring for others, and examining how these profiles differ by levels of burnout and life satisfaction. We conducted a latent profile analysis of 292 Korean counselors and identified four groups: (a) low care, (b) typical care, (c) high care, and (d) low self‐care/high other‐care. Of these, the typical care and high care groups had lower levels of incompetence and deterioration in personal life and higher levels of life satisfaction compared with the low self‐care/high other‐care group. Counselor self‐awareness, education level, work experience, and number of handled cases were found to be differentiators among the four profiles. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Exploring self-care experiences of school counsellors: A qualitative study

“…The findings might also be employed to emphasize the significance of self-care in reducing burnout symptoms and psychological impairment among counsellors. In this vein, the review of the literature suggests that fostering areas of self-care can help prevent burnout (Killian, 2008; Ko & Lee, 2021), stress symptoms (Steinlin et al, 2017), vicarious trauma (Flint, 2018), and compassion fatigue (Killian, 2008).…”

Novice School Counselors’ Burnout Profiles and Professional Experiences: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…Identifying the distinctive training and work experiences school counselors are exposed to is also worthwhile; these can be quite distinctive and varied, and can embody both protective and risk functions. The interest in understanding counselor burnout has led researchers to explore and identify distinct profiles of burnout and relevant constructs (Ko & Lee, 2021; Lee et al, 2010). Indeed, counseling research that explores complex phenomena by trying to clarify individual differences into meaningful profiles can create a deeper understanding of the phenomenon and guide customized interventions (Bardhoshi et al, 2021).…”

Exploring the relationship between secondary traumatic stress, professional identity and career factors for counsellors

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Counselling is an emotionally taxing profession as counsellors provide a space for clients to explore their social and psychological issues (Ko & Lee, 2021;Shallcross, 2011). Additionally, counsellors are expected to develop strong therapeutic alliances by providing empathy and care to clients while bracketing their own emotional needs in the counselling relationship (Teyber & Teyber, 2016).

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