When Burnout Becomes Reality Shannon Swales, Clinical Psychologist

Welcome to "When Burnout Becomes Reality," where we delve into the depths of our mental health journeys, shedding light on the often-overlooked shadows of burnout. In this episode, we embark on a crucial exploration: "How to Stop Burnout From Sneaking Up on You?"
We begin by introducing Nick Petrie's three degrees of burnout and how to respond to each level of burn. Petrie's work provides a valuable framework for understanding the progression of burnout, from early warning signs to more severe stages. By recognising these stages, we can intervene early and effectively to prevent burnout from taking hold.
I'll also share my own insights, drawing from both lived and clinical experiences. Over the years, I've seen how burnout manifests in various ways and have developed strategies to counteract its effects. From setting healthy boundaries to incorporating mindfulness practices into daily routines, there are practical steps we can all take to protect our mental health.
Throughout this episode, I'll weave in personal anecdotes and clinical observations to illustrate the complexities of burnout and offer actionable advice. My hope is that by the end of this episode, you'll not only understand how to prevent burnout but also feel empowered to make changes that support your well-being.
So, join me as we uncover the nuances of burnout and learn how to sneak up on it before it sneaks up on you.
References:
Nick Petrie's Blog: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-degrees-burn-out-nick-petrie/
Suyash Jaju 'The Boiling From Syndrome': https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/boiling-frog-syndrome-suyash-jaju/
Bio: Shannon Swales is driven by a deep passion to empower individuals with the essential mental health knowledge and skills needed to flourish. She guides them through a transformative journey from chronically stressed and burnt-out states to a state of overall wellness. Her commitment to this cause is rooted in personal experience, having traversed the challenging terrain of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma herself. Shannon's personal odyssey has imbued her with a renewed perspective, enabling her to approach her career and the care of others with a more balanced and empathetic mindset. Join Shannon Swales on this inspirational journey as she shares her transformative experiences and valuable insights, fostering a message of resilience, self-care, and the triumph of well-being.
Connect with Shannon Swales via www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/contact, by reading her burnout memoir - Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist's Path Back www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/buy-my-book, exploring her blog - 'Lessons From a Burnt Out Psychologist' - https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/lessons-from-a-burnt-out-psychologist, or social media pages @burnoutpsychologysupport
Share Your Story/Expertise: If you’d like to share your burnout experience or are an expert in the field of burnout and would like to share your wisdom on the pod, please email me at shannonswales@burnoutpsychologysupport.com.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, tips, etc., expressed in this podcast by my guests or me are not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage those suffering to seek professional help. If you are in a life-threatening emergency, please get in touch with your emergency services in Australia, 000. For immediate counselling support (Aus only) , Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hrs/7 days); 13YARN 13 92 76 (24 hrs/7 days) for First Nation Australians.

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Attention all educators! In this ep., Shannon sits down with Rowena, a career teacher turned burnout coach. Drawing from her experiences with burnout & compassion fatigue, as well as over 30 yrs in the education industry, Rowena shares invaluable insights & wisdom. This ep. tackles critical questions, including:
What causes teacher burnout? We explore individual factors like the rescuer mindset, perfectionism, & the tendency to overextend oneself. Additionally, we examine systemic issues, such as communication styles of leaders that often leave educators feeling unseen & unvalued.What helps prevent & recover from teacher burnout? We discuss setting boundaries, building a supportive community, & making lasting changes to one's approach to work & life from a systemic and individual lens.
Blending Rowena's personal experiences with her professional expertise, this ep. offers practical advice for teachers & valuable insights for anyone experiencing burnout, regardless of their professional background. Tune in to discover how to beat teacher burnout.
Guest Bio
Rowena has been a teacher & leader for over 30 yrs and her passion is to build teams who value themselves & each other, for them to be the most effective, productive & creative teams possible. Rowena started as a class teacher, then worked in schools & orphanages abroad, before returning to the UK where she worked in schools as a special needs coordinator, trainer, specialist & deputy headteacher. She completed her masters in inclusion & was a tutor for SENCOs completing their National Award. After a burnout in 2022, she wrote a book for school staff (Teach Flourish Thrive: Beat Teacher Burnout) & now trains teachers & leaders in areas such as developing effective teams, building self-awareness, sharing commitments to goals & valuing each member of the team with their different strengths & areas of confidence.
Contact:
Rowena Hicks, rowenaphicks@gmail.com, 07816975130. For more information visit www.rowenahicks.com where you will find her book purchase link, YouTube videos, & training courses for individuals & groups.
Host Bio
Shannon Swales is driven by a deep passion to empower individuals with the essential mental health knowledge & skills needed to flourish. She guides them through a transformative journey from chronically stressed, burnt-out states to overall wellness. Her commitment to this cause is rooted in personal experience, having traversed the challenging terrain of burnout, compassion fatigue, & vicarious trauma. Her odyssey has imbued her with a renewed perspective, enabling her to approach her career & the care of others with a more balanced & empathetic mindset.
Contact:
Directly via www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/contact, by reading her burnout memoir - Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist's Path Back www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/buy-my-book, exploring her blog - 'Lessons From a Burnt Out Psychologist' - www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/blog, or social media pages @burnoutpsychologysupport.
Share Your Story/Expertise: If you’d like to share your burnout experience or expertise on the pod, please email shannonswales@burnoutpsychologysupport.com.
Disclaimer: The views, knowledge, strategies, etc., shared in this podcast by Shannon's guests or by her are not a replacement for personalised therapy. As she has done for herself, she encourages those suffering to seek professional help. In case of emergency contact your national emergency line-Australia 000. For counselling contact your local doctor or national counselling service, in Australia Life Line 13 1114 or 13 YARN (13 9276) for First Nations People.

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Episode Notes: Welcome to "When Burnout Becomes Reality," where we delve into the depths of our mental health journeys, shedding light on the often-overlooked shadows of burnout. In this episode, we embark on a crucial exploration: "Am I Burnt Out?"
Join us as we navigate the intricate web of signs and symptoms that define burnout, from exhaustion to cynicism to inefficacy. We're not just scratching the surface; we're delving deep into the scientific and lived experience knowledge surrounding burnout.
But we're not stopping there. We're shining a light on some of the companions of burnout that occur in caregiving professions – compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Through shared experiences and expert insights, we're offering a guiding hand to those on the frontlines of caregiving professions.
So, if you've ever asked yourself, "Am I burnt out?" – this episode is for you. Tune in as we explore the journey from acknowledgment to healing because recognising burnout is the first step toward reclaiming your well-being.
Bio: Shannon Swales is driven by a deep passion to empower individuals with the essential mental health knowledge and skills needed to flourish. She guides them through a transformative journey from chronically stressed and burnt-out states to a state of overall wellness. Her commitment to this cause is rooted in personal experience, having traversed the challenging terrain of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma herself. Shannon's personal odyssey has imbued her with a renewed perspective, enabling her to approach her career and the care of others with a more balanced and empathetic mindset. Join Shannon Swales on this inspirational journey as she shares her transformative experiences and valuable insights, fostering a message of resilience, self-care, and the triumph of well-being.
Connect with Shannon Swales via www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/contact, by reading her burnout memoir - Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist's Path Back www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/buy-my-book, exploring her blog - 'Lessons From a Burnt Out Psychologist' - https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/lessons-from-a-burnt-out-psychologist, or social media pages @burnoutpsychologysupport
Share Your Story/Expertise: If you’d like to share your burnout experience or are an expert in the field of burnout and would like to share your wisdom on the pod, please email me at shannonswales@burnoutpsychologysupport.com.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, tips, etc., expressed in this podcast by my guests or me are not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage those suffering to seek professional help. If you are in a life-threatening emergency, please get in touch with your emergency services in Australia, 000. For immediate counselling support (Aus only) , Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hrs/7 days); 13YARN 13 92 76 (24 hrs/7 days) for First Nation Australians.

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Attention mental health providers! In this episode, inspired by questions from American high school students Jayden, Gabriela, and Dana, we dive deep into the crucial topic of burnout in the mental health field. Join me as I address key questions such as the causes of burnout, its long-term effects, and practical strategies to combat it.
In the first part, we explore the root causes of burnout and discuss ways to minimise its impact on mental health professionals. Then, in part two, starting around the 40-minute mark, I share my personal journey of returning to work after a two-year hiatus due to burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. I reveal the habits that helped me stay healthy during this transition, the challenges I faced, and my plans moving forward.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice to support your well-being in the demanding field of mental health care. Don't forget to follow us for episode releases and share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your feedback helps us reach those who need it most. Tune in now!
Warning: In this episode, suicide is raised. We strongly encourage those impacted to reach out to local support services. If this is an emergency, please get in touch with your emergency services - Australia, 000. For immediate counselling support (Aus only) Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hrs/7 days); 13YARN 13 92 76 (24 hrs/7 days).
Bio: Shannon Swales is driven by a deep passion to empower individuals with the essential mental health knowledge and skills needed to flourish. She guides them through a transformative journey from chronically stressed and burnt-out states to a state of overall wellness. Her commitment to this cause is rooted in personal experience, having traversed the challenging terrain of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma herself. Shannon's personal odyssey has imbued her with a renewed perspective, enabling her to approach her career and the care of others with a more balanced and empathetic mindset. Join Shannon Swales on this inspirational journey as she shares her transformative experiences and valuable insights, fostering a message of resilience, self-care, and the triumph of well-being.
Connect with Shannon Swales via www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/contact, by reading her burnout memoir - Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist's Path Back, exploring her blog - 'Lessons From a Burnt Out Psychologist' - https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/lessons-from-a-burnt-out-psychologist, or social media pages @burnoutpsychologysupport
Share Your Story/Expertise: If you’d like to share your burnout experience or are an expert in the field of burnout and would like to share your wisdom on the pod, please email me at shannonswales@burnoutpsychologysupport.com.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, tips, etc., expressed in this podcast by my guests or me are not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage those suffering to seek professional help.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About the Podcast
Welcome to When Burnout Becomes Reality, a podcast that uniquely blends personal experience with the science of burnout. I'm Shannon Swales, your host & a caregiver professional who has not only lived through burnout but also possesses scientific knowledge & skills to treat conditions like burnout, compassion fatigue, & vicarious trauma.
**You can discover more of my story through reading my memoir Nothing Left to Give: A psychologist's path back from burnout www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/buy-my-book
Development of the Podcast
I started this POD out of my own burnout, compassion fatigue, & vicarious trauma experience. I noticed how great connecting with others who got what you were going through felt. It helped me feel less alone in it. It helped me to feel understood and unbeknownst to them; it helped me learn from the wisdom they had gained to help me recover and grow. This is why I continue to showcase lived experience guests on the POD. As I healed from burnout, I moved back into my work as a psychologist, & that is when I added the scientific knowledge aspect into the POD, having expert guests like myself share their wisdom to help others. I also share my burnout, recovery, growth story from the beginning until now & everything in between. I am incredibly proud of this POD and enjoy every minute of producing it. It is a twice monthly (since May 2024) podcast with an episode released on the first & third Thursday of every month. It comes in visual YouTube & audio formats (available wherever you listen to podcasts - go to www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/podcast for links). Each month, we will endeavour to showcase a lived experience guest who courageously comes on the POD to share their raw account of burnout to recovery & beyond or an expert guest, including me, who shares their knowledge & skills in this area of burnout. All episodes are hoped to assist others in preventing, responding & growing from burnout.
Stay in Touch
The only way this podcast will reach the four corners of this earth, to reach people in need, is through the power of the people - you. So, you can pay it forward by liking, sharing, following, reviewing or leaving a comment. I will be forever grateful for your generosity in doing so. Subscribe to receive your exclusive 'Build Your Well-being at Work' Workbook www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com
Social Media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/burnoutpsychologysupport Facebook: www.facebook.com/burnoutpsychologysupport Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonswales
Website: www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com
Psychology Services: Burnout Psychology Support Australia Wide Online Therapy and Brisbane In-Person www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/contact
Share Your Story or Expertise:
If you’d like to share your burnout-to-recovery experience or are an expert working in the field of burnout, compassion fatigue, and/or vicarious trauma and would like to share your wisdom, please email me at shannonswales@burnoutpsychologysupport.com or call 61+ 422 695 576
Disclaimer: Engaging with our content does not intend to create, nor does it create a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon Swales, Burnout Psychology Support Psychologist. The views, opinions, tips, etc., expressed in this podcast by my guests or me are general in nature and are not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage those suffering to seek professional help. If you are in a life-threatening emergency, please get in touch with your emergency services in Australia, 000. For immediate counselling support (Aus only), Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hrs/7 days); 13YARN 13 92 76 (24 hrs/7 days) for First Nation Australians.

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Ep Description: In this intriguing episode, Clinical Psychologist Anna Wiederroth shares her wealth of knowledge accumulated through years of compassionate work with individuals and couples, delving into the concept she terms 'relationship burnout'. With eloquence and depth, Anna unpacks the intricacies of relationship burnout, exploring its origins, patterns, and the hurdles it presents. She empathetically addresses the common barriers, fears, and roadblocks individuals encounter on their journey out of burnout and towards fulfilment. Moreover, Anna provides actionable insights and practical techniques to navigate through these challenges and rejuvenate relationships. Please like, share, follow, review or leave a comment. Would love to hear from you!
Warning: In this episode, the critical issue of domestic abuse is raised. We strongly encourage those impacted to reach out to local support services. For those in Australia, please visit https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/helplines/ for a comprehensive list of resources, or contact 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732. This national helpline operates 24/7, providing confidential support and counselling for individuals who have experienced or are at risk of family and domestic violence, as well as sexual assault.
Guest: Anna is a Clinical Psychologist informed by Trauma and Psychodynamic approaches. She runs a successful private practice called 'Anna W Psychology' from Albion, QLD, seeing couples and individuals who want to experience more fulfilling relationships. To reach more women who want to shift from self-doubt to greater self-confidence, Anna created an online course 'Clarify your Reality' (https://www.annawpsychology.com/clarify-your-reality-course). Anna understands gaining awareness of survival state activation as a primary first step in moving towards greater personal well-being. Working towards this forms part of all her resources, including articles she shares via her Blog. You can connect with Anna via her website as well as socials - Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube (Anna W psychology).
Host: Shannon Swales is driven by a deep passion to empower individuals with the essential mental health knowledge and skills needed to flourish. She guides them through a transformative journey from chronically stressed and burnt-out states to a state of overall wellness. Her commitment to this cause is rooted in personal experience, having traversed the challenging terrain of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma herself. Shannon's personal odyssey has imbued her with a renewed perspective, enabling her to approach her career and the care of others with a more balanced and empathetic mindset. Join Shannon Swales on this inspirational journey as she shares her transformative experiences and valuable insights, fostering a message of resilience, self-care, and the triumph of well-being.
Connect with Shannon Swales via www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/contact, by reading her burnout memoir - Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist's Path Back, exploring her blog - 'Lessons From a Burnt Out Psychologist' - https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/lessons-from-a-burnt-out-psychologist, or social media pages @burnoutpsychologysupport
Share Your Story/Expertise: If you’d like to share your burnout experience or are an expert in the field of burnout and would like to share your wisdom on the pod, please email me at shannonswales@burnoutpsychologysupport.com.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, tips, etc., expressed in this podcast by my guests or me are not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage those suffering to seek professional help.
#burnout #relationshipbalance #relationships #chronicstress

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