By Jake Baczuk and Evan Sakrison
It’s no secret that mental health therapists like you are burning out at unprecedented rates. It’s so well-worn by now (here, here, and here) you’d think widespread reform would have happened by now.
But it hasn’t. The endless cycle of absorbing others’ traumas, facing institutional pressures, and debating whether to leave the profession, only to be met by a flurry of news articles retelling our plight with no sign of change is almost expected at this point. It’s equal parts exhausting and discouraging, and unfortunately all too common whether you work in private practice or community mental health.
Private practice and community mental health settings offer certain advantages, but their disadvantages amplify burnout. The heavy caseloads, administrative burden, working in isolation, limited resources, and little-to-no opportunity for continuous professional development impede therapists from delivering exceptional care while also caring for themselves.
On the other hand, collaborative care settings offer what therapists truly need: a healthy work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and a supportive environment that prioritizes their wellbeing. Here’s how I know:
As a therapist on the brink of burnout, I couldn’t wait for change to happen, so I sought something new. I interviewed with a recruiter at evolvedMD to help me understand a role they pitched as being radically different. I was floored by how much focus was put on taking care of the therapist (self-care bonuses, ample amounts of training, and more). I thought it was too good to be true but agreed to a second interview with a Clinical Manager named Jeff Ainsa. I even told him, “This is too good to be true.” He said he’d clear things up with one more phone call.
That call came from evolvedMD Co-CEO Erik Osland. He seemed genuinely happy to talk to me, told me why he started evolvedMD, and addressed all my concerns. He said that he and Co-CEO, Steve Biljan, had built the company for one major reason: retaining therapists by eliminating burnout. Everything was set up for the therapist to be successful, but he made one thing clear, “You have to actually do it.” The message was, you must do your self-care activities, you have to leave your computer at work, you have to be the one to walk out of your office at 5:00 PM and not look back.
Two years later I haven’t looked back.
evolvedMD’s unique Collaborative Care model leads to a more sustainable and fulfilling way to practice therapy. Here’s how:
If you're a therapist feeling the strains of burnout, know that there is another way. Join us in redefining the landscape of mental health care. Don't just make a difference, thrive while doing it.