Making Space for Your Own Wellbeing As An OT
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Burnout is a topic that deserves greater attention across the occupational therapy profession, particularly for practitioners who spend their working lives supporting others. In the latest issue of OT Today, occupational therapist Melissa Spurling-Purkis shares her personal experience of burnout in a powerful and honest article, exploring the impact it had on her professional and personal life, and the steps she is taking towards recovery.
Melissa describes how continually pushing herself to meet the demands of her role eventually left her physically and mentally exhausted. Working closely with children who had experienced complex trauma, she found herself absorbing their emotional experiences while giving little attention to her own needs. Over time, this contributed to compassion fatigue, sensory sensitivities, difficulties with concentration and memory, and a growing sense of detachment from others. Despite being a therapist herself, she struggled with feelings of shame and the belief that she should be able to manage everything alone.
Her story highlights an important message for occupational therapists: supporting the wellbeing of others must not come at the expense of our own. The emotional demands of practice, combined with heavy workloads and the pressure to keep going, can make it difficult to recognise when we need to pause. Melissa’s reflections also underline the importance of connection, supportive colleagues, self-awareness and creating opportunities to rest and recover.
You can read the full article in the October issue of OT Today here
We would love to hear from you
Have you experienced similar challenges in your practice, or discovered strategies that have helped you maintain your wellbeing? Share your own stories, experiences and reflections on practice with the OT community by emailing Ros@OTToday.co.uk.
By learning from one another, we can help build a more supportive profession where looking after ourselves is recognised as an essential part of looking after others.
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Rosalind Tulloch
Editor
