Signs and Symptoms of the Impaired Counselor

Abstract

Although the problem of impaired professionals has been with us for as long as professionals have been so designated, this article considers potential harm to clients and the profession's obligation to monitor its members and provide appropriate rehabilitation. Definitions of distress and professional impairment are discussed, as are the indicators of impairment.

Support and self-care: professional reflections of six New Zealand high school counsellors

“…In a climate of mounting demand for expert help, concerns have in turn been raised Á via a growing array of concepts such as vicarious traumatisation, emotional contagion, and compassion fatigue (Cherniss, 1980;Figley, 2002;Saakvitne & Pearlman, 1996) Á about therapists' and counsellors' own well-being. However, research continues to document considerable practitioner unwillingness to acknowledge problems: paramount explanations for this appear to be the perceived threat to the counsellor/client dichotomy and fear that being seen as needing help brands one unfit to help others (Carroll, Gilroy, & Murra, 2003;Emerson & Markos, 1996;Paradise & Kirby, 2005). This has produced calls to create workplace cultures that accept stress as a 'normal' response to therapeutic work, encourage practitioners to talk openly, and give them permission to take care of themselves.…”

A therapist experiential model of treatment for brain injury

“…Although no multifaceted model has been proposed for therapists working with patients with acquired brain injuries, elements of this model have been proposed previously in the literature (see , for a review). These include the contributions of countertransference, burnout, therapists' detrimental or nonexistent external support systems, fractionalized working alliances, and patients' comorbid diagnoses (especially malingering and personality disorders) (Emerson & Markos, 1996;Gagnon, Bouchard, & Rainville, 2006;Lewis, 1999;Miller, 1998).…”

“…This is characterized traditionally by feelings of emotional depletion, depression, hopelessness, worthlessness, numbness, anger, cynicism, alienation, depersonalization, detachment, and job attrition (Emerson & Markos, 1996;Madhavilatha, 2008;Pais, 2002;Schlenz, Guthrie, & Dudgeon, 1995). Therapists' distress is intensified when they focus prematurely or excessively on the anticipated outcome, rather than on the inherent benefits of the process of treatment.…”

“…Ultimately, the therapist feels exhausted, resentful, exploited, and disenfranchised about his or her work environment. Personal problems (e.g., divorce, illness, or death of family and friends) (Emerson & Markos, 1996) may impinge on the therapist's emotional stability, to the point of detracting and distracting from work commitments.…”

Burnout Prevention: A Humanistic Perspective and Structured Group Supervision Activity

“…It is a phenomenon affecting all facets of a counselor's life (Feldstein, 2000). Thus, burnout may be described through its physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms as a condition in which exhaustion is brought on by involvement over a prolonged period with emotionally demanding situations and people (Emerson & Markos, 1996). Physical symptoms of burnout include low energy, chronic fatigue, and weakness.…”