Secure Your Own Oxygen Mask First:Mindful Approaches to Preventing Therapist Burnout

"Secure Your Own Oxygen Mask First:Mindful Approaches to Preventing Therapist Burnout"

Friday, Oct. 10^th

Noon – 3:30 pm CST  (3 CEs)

Live via Zoom

With Presenter Chris McCurry, PhD

Burnout: “A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that result from long-term involvement in work situations that are emotionally demanding” (Schaufeli & Greenglass, 2001). Clinical psychology is just such an emotionally demanding work situation. As clinicians, we are vulnerable to this physical and emotional exhaustion as well as other signs of burnout such as irritability, discouragement, sense of low personal accomplishment, reduced attention and concentration within session, poor decision-making, and compromised therapeutic relationships. This webinar is intended for psychotherapists who wish to better understand and manage the symptoms of professional burnout in order to be more effective and resilient in this challenging work.

In this webinar, we will examine the phenomenon of burnout, along with the related concepts of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Using questionnaires, self-report measures, and discussion we will consider our vulnerabilities and risks for burnout, as well as our resources and strengths. We will identify life domains where we can develop “career-sustaining behaviors” that will not only reduce or prevent burnout but will greatly enhance our work satisfaction and effectiveness. A variety of strategies for monitoring and managing burnout will be introduced, with particular attention to recent contributions from mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies. A bibliography of relevant journal articles and books is provided.

This workshop is presented by the Nebraska Psychological Association in collaboration with the Alaska Psychological Association and a coalition of over 10 State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Associations.

Chris McCurry, PhD

Chris McCurry, PhD, is a clinical psychologist practicing in Seattle, Washington, since 1991. He trained with acceptance and commitment therapy cofounder Steve Hayes at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. McCurry has given over 60 workshops, nationally and internationally, including webinars on professional burnout for the Nevada and Washington state psychological associations..

Learning Objectives

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the various manifestations of burnout and how they can impact both personal and professional well-being.
2. Assess their own risks for, and manifestations of, burnout within specific aspects of personal and professional life.
   
3. Develop and implement a plan for career-sustaining behaviors.
   

Continuing Education

The Nebraska Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Nebraska Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. Participants attending the live webinar can receive 3 CEs for psychologists as well as master's level clinicians, with full attendance required. No partial credit is awarded; late arrival or early departure will preclude awarding of CE credits for psychologists attending the live webinar. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits.

This program meets the criteria of an approved continuing education program for mental health practice.

Cancellation Policy: Written notification is required on or before October 6, 2025, for complete refund of registration fee. All questions, comments and complaints should be directed to the NPA Central Office, at 402-475-0709, 877-355-7934 or npa@ nebpsych.org.