When the carer needs some care - Counselling for those in the Caring Industry

Being a Counsellor, Social Worker, Psychologist, Nurse, and working in roles within Aged Care, Child Protection, Health, Disability Support, Legal Aid and other Social Service roles can mean we spend our working life caring for others in a one way care model, and it is not uncommon to let self-care as we get lost in the busyness of life.

Mother duck caring for her ducklings

Could counselling support you to avoid burn-out and thrive in your career?

What support is available for you?

I wouldn't be without my own counsellor - but prior to learning how important my own wellbeing was going to be as a counsellor, during my degree I would never have thought to seek out a counsellor for long term, ongoing counselling to support me to look after myself and increase my capacity to be a counsellor for others. I am in my 7th year of counselling with my own wonderful counsellor. I of course also have a clinical supervisor but personal counselling is separate to that.

Engaging in counselling can support you to

Enhance your self-awareness

Increase your self-reflection skills

Manage your stress and reduce the chances of burnout

Balance your work and personal life

Protect personal relationships

Create an individual, flexible Self-Care Practice

Get to know yourself as a human, outside of your profession

The Importance of Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals: Preventing Burnout and Promoting Well-Being

Counselling can support us in the same way we support our clients to navigate life's challenges and lead a life we feel we have the skills and capacity to thrive in. And it has the added benefit of allowing us to continue our work and avoid burn out. We are often quick to offer support, but, how are we at accepting support?

This literature review suggests that fostering areas of self-care, including awareness, balance, flexibility, physical health, social support, and spirituality, can help prevent the downward spiral of stress, burnout, and professional impairment, and promote an upward spiral of well-being for mental health professionals .Posluns K, Gall TL. Dear Mental Health Practitioners, Take Care of Yourselves: a Literature Review on Self-Care. Int J Adv Couns. 2020;42(1):1-20. doi: 10.1007/s10447-019-09382-w. Epub 2019 May 23. PMID: 32435076; PMCID: PMC7223989.

I also found this article offered some important information for 'Carers'. It talks about how we are human and as such face the same challenges in our personal lives, when it comes to relationships, grief, family conflicts, and the demands that are put on us as we walk through life. On top of the everyday things that we all navigate we hold our clients, we care for them and about them which can put us at risk of developing Compassion Fatigue or Vicarious Trauma.

“It’s a common misconception that mental health professionals are somehow emotionally immune because of their training,” said Mosun Fapohunda, MRCPsych, a British psychiatrist. “In fact, the opposite is often true. The nature of their work places them at high risk of emotional burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue. Mental health workers spend their days absorbing the pain, anxiety, and trauma of others. Over time, this cumulative emotional labour can take a serious toll if not addressed.”

Implementing Preventative Measures in Caring Professions: Insights from Experience and Research

Of course, we can avoid this, with the knowledge that the research has provided us. We can put in PREVENTATIVE meassures to care for ourselves

I have always enjoyed my work with Psychologists, other Counsellors, and professionals in caring roles such as Child Protection, Legal Aid, Aged Care, and Out of Home Care.  I find the same fulfillment in my own counselling sessions. With my specialty in Family Violence and Suicide Bereavement, I have worked with counsellors and those in the carer industry who have encountered these experiences both professionally and personally. Together, we have explored the complexities of working and living in these areas, examining the profound impact on our professional and personal lives. As you know, this impact touches many aspects of our lives, and the work is often long-term and ongoing.

Balancing Professional Insights with Personal Practice: Navigating Self-Application and Advocacy Fatigue

The work is a little different, it embodies the principle of "I know this stuff and encourage this for my clients BUT attending counselling reminds me to apply these principles to myself". We frequently encounter reminders of - I know you're aware of this, but are you actually putting it into practice? There are also conversations around the desire to do more advocacy work in their spare time but feeling too tired and like they need a break, with the awareness of all the "work" that needs doing and not having the energy can lead to guilt. Then there are the boundaries needed in personal relationships. And as the quote said above we are NOT immune from the impacts of life's challenges.

My Pay It Forward Practice

I get it—being in this industry can really take a toll on your wallet, emotions, body, and spirit. That's why therapy isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must if you want to keep going. As a Pay it Forward Practice, I offer special rates for those who work in this space and want to engage in ongoing, regular counselling. This way, you can keep thriving in a field you're passionate about, find purpose and satisfaction, and continue helping others. Which makes the world better for everyone. I offer 5 spaces through my Pay it Forward Practice and currently (January 2026) have 2 more spaces available.

Taking the Next Step

If you are considering counselling support to improve your wellbeing and capacity to remain in the caring industry I invite you to book a Free 15 minute Connection Call where we can talk about what you need and if I am the right person to provide that for you. All counselling is confidential and my goal is to create a safe, non-judgemental space for you to explore your life, holistically.