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Feeling totally burnt out at 59?

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ElaineMcG47 Tue 20-May-25 18:51:26

I wrote here before am working in the NHS as a CBT therapist and then travelling back home to Ireland every second weekend. I am moving home in June. I'm happy about it, but I have no job lined up - difficult to get at 59. However, I feel totally burn out and don't think I could work as a CBT therapist agaTin, or do any form of counselling. I feel quite anxious now meeting new clients. I never had this before. Has anyone who worked in a similar therapeutic position ever felt burnt out by it. CBT therapist should be an ideal career to work to retirement - State pension at 66, but I just can't imagine doing it. I have savings enough to last me for two years. I have had other stressors such as brining up children on my own, and one of them still being in college and I don't qualify for grants for college for my child. Just wondered if any one had such feelings about one;s job.

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Mt61 Sun 25-May-25 22:31:28

Gosh no wonder you are burnt out, travelling to Ireland every fortnight 🙄
Could you afford to work part-time, working from home, perhaps?
Must be draining listening to peoples problems all the time. I couldn’t do your job, you deserve a medal.

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ElaineMcG47 Sun 25-May-25 22:38:40

Hi! Mt61, I don't know if I could work form home in Ireland - I think I would have to be office based first and then ask for working from home. It is my job that's so draining now - I just feel I can't listen to people's problems anymore. There are also added stressors that go with listening to people's problems, such as adult and/or child protection issues, or vicarious trauma from listening to stories of abuse and domestic violence. I have a 9 month contract for a clerical job lined up now for four days per week when I go back to Ireland. I am hoping that being in a different job will help where I am not listening to very difficult problems all the time and then thinking about them when I go home. I used to love this job until about three years ago. Strange how things happen!

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Mt61 Sun 25-May-25 23:02:40

ElaineMcG47

Hi! Mt61, I don't know if I could work form home in Ireland - I think I would have to be office based first and then ask for working from home. It is my job that's so draining now - I just feel I can't listen to people's problems anymore. There are also added stressors that go with listening to people's problems, such as adult and/or child protection issues, or vicarious trauma from listening to stories of abuse and domestic violence. I have a 9 month contract for a clerical job lined up now for four days per week when I go back to Ireland. I am hoping that being in a different job will help where I am not listening to very difficult problems all the time and then thinking about them when I go home. I used to love this job until about three years ago. Strange how things happen!

I wonder if you have a form of PTSD?
My husband worked in IT for the police he saw some pretty horrible things, never, ever discussed with me, so I couldn’t help him, he had nightmares from time to time.
I can imagine you will hear some horrendous stories & it must affect you, plus commuting back & forth to Ireland.

A couple of my teacher friends have left teaching due to the stress. One Friend has started a cleaning business, the other piano lessons. Just a thought. Hope you get sorted soon 🫂

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