The goal of this activity is to value the importance of self-care in order to be effective in the helping fields. Self-awareness is crucial in the field of counseling and related professions. Being aware of what makes you a good counselor and related human service worker is key. However, it is also important to recognize when you feel stressed and burned out. This not only effects the professional, it impacts the client as well. While working in the helping fields can of course be very rewarding and exciting, it will be important to review ways to continue to grow and avoid things that may lead to burnout.

Read Chapter 15 in your textbook by Mandell & Schram.

Prepare to share in discussion on the following points:
Discuss the key signs and causes for burnout in the field
Imagine you are a counselor and hypothesize what situations might make you vulnerable to burnout.
What coping skills do you need to prevent it?
What could you do to help if you fall prey to burnout?