Taking Care of Yourself as a Clinician During Tough Times

As a clinician, you’re used to being the steady presence for others when things get hard. But what happens when you’re the one going through tough times?

Personal loss, illness, burnout, or an especially intense caseload can happen, and they hit everyone differently. When your job is to show up for others, it can be tricky to know how to show up for yourself, too. 

Here are a few ways to take care of yourself during challenging seasons, and why it is important for you and the people you support.

You’re Human, Too

There’s this quiet pressure that comes with being a helper: the idea that you should always be okay. But no one’s immune to tough days (or weeks, or months). And the truth is, sitting with others’ pain every day can make your own experiences feel even heavier. 

It’s okay to not feel like you have it all together. That doesn’t make you less capable, it just makes you real. Acknowledging your own limits can actually deepen your empathy and make you a more grounded clinician in the long run.  

Make Room Where You Can

If you’re in private practice, you might have more wiggle room than you think. A few adjustments can make a big difference:

• Temporarily reduce your caseload

• Space out sessions to give yourself breaks as needed

• Take a personal day or two when you need it

• Pause new intakes until things feel a bit more manageable

Even the smallest changes can offer relief. And if you’re part of a network like Great Lakes Psychology Group, there’s built-in support to help with logistics so you’re not navigating it all alone. 

Lean on Your Support System

You don’t have to go through tough seasons alone. This might be the time to:

• Check in with your own therapist

• Connect with peer consultation groups

• Talk openly with colleagues or trusted friends

• Loop in supervisors or colleagues if you need backup

You don’t have to share every detail, just enough to feel connected. Feeling isolated can only add weight to what you’re already carrying.

Keep It Simple

This may not be the moment to overhaul your entire practice or take on extra tasks. Instead, focus on what’s already working and ease up where you can: 

• Use templates and streamlined notes

• Set boundaries around prep and follow-up

• Minimize new or additional tasks

• Choose continuing education topics that feel genuinely useful or interesting

If you’re part of a network like Great Lakes Psychology Group, lean into the systems already in place, such as EMR tools and built-in forms that can lighten the load.

Reflect In a Healthy Way 

During difficult seasons, it’s easy to second-guess yourself:

• Am I doing enough?

• Are my clients getting what they need?

• Am I still showing up the way I want to?

These are valid questions. But try not to overanalyze. If you’re asking them, it means you care and that says a lot. Take it day by day, session by session.

Sometimes a Temporary Pause Is the Best Move

In some cases, the healthiest option for both you and your clients is taking a short break. That could mean a week off, a lighter caseload, or even a temporary leave of absence. Taking these steps does not mean you’re failing, it is a sign that you’re caring for yourself. 

With the right support systems in place, like those at Great Lakes Psychology Group, you don’t have to worry that everything will fall apart. Support is available when you need it. 

You Don’t Have to Do It All Alone

Being a clinician means holding space for others, and that can take a lot. But you don’t have to carry everything by yourself, especially when life gets hard.

By acknowledging your own needs, leaning on your community, and easing up where you can, you’re not just taking care of yourself. You’re making sure you can keep doing the work you care about in a way that’s sustainable.