Why Counselors are Burnt out these days
Counseling is a crucial place to be during this pandemic period. The industry requirement has been on the hike, and more people are queuing in for care. The care has been a way of combating stress, anxiety, emotional issues, mental health and other medical conditions. With more traumatic incidents each day, the to-do list of counselors has become hectic with each second book for an appointment. An appointment with the counselor during this period isn’t impossible. Their schedule is so jam-packed that it can take a month before getting a chance.
Here are some reasons counselors are burnt out and unavailable as they work 
with patients.
Heavier Caseloads and Long Waitlists
Mental health is becoming an issue in the United States due to the pandemic. Research made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded that about 40% of adults face severe or minor mental issues as of June 2020. These mental issues include anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and trauma.
The alarm has woken people to look for support through a counselor. The offices are now safe-haven for people with mental issues, and the record shows how busy these people are. The American Psychologist Association evaluated that 1 in 3 counselors testify to having more patients to work with because of the pandemic.
The tragedy has left no option but to appoint some patients on a waitlist, even for months. Though the counselors are filled with work, that doesn’t stop people from visiting and booking an appointment. Some people can get as much as two to three months to wait. These patients range from adults to children and even grandparents. Some patients improved over time, but the symptoms resurfaced after a while. Other sessions need to be incremented as no improvement is made. Thus, getting an appointment will be difficult.
Coping With Burnout and Stress
Now, counselors have to care for themselves as they care for their patients. The schedule causes a lack of work-life balance for counselors leading to distress which can cause insomnia, stress, heart disease and illness. Some get mentally affected as they try to attend to people. Burnout can impede a counselor’s judgment, ability and advice for patients.
Challenges of Virtual Counseling
Counseling like school, socializing, and work are virtually present for interested candidates. The pandemic has made it a requirement for telemedicine to reach a broader range of patients. Now, patients remain connected to their counselors even when they are distant, unknowingly maintaining social distance. However, this doesn’t come without a stiff neck in the counseling industry. The first was the technical know-how of both the counselors and their patients. The platforms are new and need to be taught to boot parties to enable efficient usage. It is also difficult for counselors to detect progress through virtual ways. The security integration is a part to check to provide patients privacy, including health privacy. Another challenge is the logistic part. A way has to be made to transport these instruments to users. Patients are fond of getting distracted during these sessions while working from home.
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