When Work Feels Overwhelming: Coping with Burnout in the Therapist Mom's Home Office

Understanding the Struggle

Working from home can be a double-edged sword, especially for Therapist Moms. Sure, there are times it’s a dream come true, especially in 2020 when everyone was home. And we thought it would be short-term. It answered a lot of questions for those of us with kiddos who weren’t able to care for themselves independently.

Working from home offered us the ability to keep our businesses afloat and calm the nerves of our many clients. I don’t know about you, but still working was sometimes the only normalcy I had in my day.

Many decided to not return to in-person sessions, feeling that online sessions were working just fine so why fix what ain’t broken?

This blog, however, talks about the struggles of balancing the roles of a Therapist and a Mom in the the other kind of home office: the chaotic one.

Let’s explore three of the most common issues that TheraMama’s face from the home office.

1. Emotional Overload: Trying to navigate heavy emotional sessions with clients while managing your own family's emotions wasn’t easy. Especially during Covid this was such a tightrope walk some days. Never have we, as Therapists, gone through the same thing as our clients at the same time or in the same way. “Unprecedented” was an understatement.

2. Boundary Blurring: The challenge of setting clear boundaries between work and family life within the confines of your home can be touuuuugh! Funny how your house may have felt smaller and smaller the longer you were forced to be there. I recall talking to my husband about him not working at the kitchen table because I didn’t know whether he was working or not. It was too confusing knowing if he was busy or able to assist with parenting duties. Oh, and a few times my daughter snuck into a session and wanted to “see” a client.
   Yes, there were a few endearing moments meeting the kiddos of a client or being able to see a glimpse into their “world” by seeing the wall behind them filled with family photos or the color of their bedspread. And meeting with a few of them while they hid in a closet to get some privacy…good times!

3. Isolation: It’s common to feel disconnected from the professional community and many struggle with the isolation that can come with working from home. Now that things are mostly back to normal, it’s nice to be able to meet people for networking events or a cup of coffee. But on a regular basis, being at home can definitely be too quiet for some.

Who Am I?

Hi! I'm MacKenzie, Your Self-Care Mompanion. I’m a Therapist and Mom who has been on the rollercoaster of managing work and family life from a home office. It wasn’t for me. In this blog post, I'll share insights and strategies on coping with burnout in the unique context of being a Therapist and Mom and working from home, whether that’s self-imposed or because of a world-wide pandemic. If you've ever felt the weight of these challenges, keep reading to discover actionable tips and find a sense of balance in your life. I’d love to hear from you if you’d add anything else to the list.

Strategies for Balance

Navigating the Chaos

It’s important to implement effective strategies to maintain a healthy balance between your roles as a Therapist and Mom in a home office setting. Let’s talk actionable ways to help you thrive in both aspects of your life.

1. Setting Clear Boundaries: It’s nearly essential to create a clear separation between work hours and family time. I encourage my clients to “take your commute.” Take the time of your commute and use it to listen to the radio, read, scroll on your phone, call a friend, relax on your bed…anything that signals to you that work is over, this time is for you and give your family the feeling that you’re not “home” yet. For those whose kiddos will hunt them down the minute they know you’re off a call, go to the garage and sit in your car or actually remove it from the garage or driveway and actually leave for a bit.

2. Self-Care Rituals: Another important tip is incorporating self-care practices into your routine to rejuvenate both mentally and physically. While you’re “commuting” do some journaling, listen to a meditation or crank some tunes up and dance it out! Whatever it is you decide to do on your “way home”, don’t make it about work. Do anything but something work related. Your brain needs time to shift gears.

3. Virtual Support Networks: Combat loneliness and feeling disconnected by building and maintaining connections with colleagues and friends. During Covid, how many virtual happy hours did you and your friends or colleagues have? I know I attended a few. While it wasn’t nearly the same, it sure did the trick. In my TheraMamas Who Mimosa FB group, we are all across the country so we will often have a virtual meeting so we can network, co-work and socialize.
   It’s wonderful to live in a time and country with so much technology at our fingertips. It makes it so much easier(ish) for people to work from home. But it can also cause more anxiety to be cooped up without any outside socialization and normalcy.

4. Time Management Techniques: Finding efficient ways to manage your time to enhance productivity and reduce stress. It’s so easy to get caught up in “multi-tasking” when you’re at home. Studies actually show that it takes our brain longer to shift gears back and forth than it does to just complete one task at a time. So, basically, multitasking is bullshit. I can get on bored with that, especially since becoming a parent.
   Whole-assing one thing at a time so you get it done will help you feel accomplished and good about the day, rather than having five things half-finished.

Finding Harmony

Balance: The Name Of The Game

While working from home has it’s perks, here we’ve highlighted some of the difficulties. Not to say that they cannot be overcome. Telehealth is a much more widely accepted mode of getting help than it has been in the past.

And rightfully so. It’s the answer to many logistical issues for many. For many, working from home allows Therapist Moms a harmonious blend of professional success and a fulfilling family life without some of the other hassles one finds working in an office.

So, if you’ve been thinking about taking your practice virtual, now you have some things to consider.

If you’re struggling with your decision or any other parts of being a Therapist Mom, let’s talk!

Here's how you can work with me:

1. Self-Reflection: Begin by reflecting on your own journey and expectations of being a Therapist Mom. Check out my Journey to Self-Care Journaling Workbook to get started.

2. Schedule a Consultation: Reach out for a consultation where we can discuss your specific challenges and goals.

3. Customized Strategies: Together, we'll develop personalized strategies to help you let go of what’s keeping you stuck, find balance, and embrace the imperfections that make being a TheraMama amazing.

In conclusion, this blog aims to offer practical insights and support for therapist moms navigating the tricky terrain of a home office. If you're ready to transform your work-from-home experience, follow the steps outlined here and take the first step towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.

I’d love to hear your experience working from home! Don’t be shy, get in touch and share your journey!