#413 - It's Not Just You: OT Burnout Is More Common Than You Think

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It's Not Just You: OT Burnout Is More Common Than You Think

If you asked 100 occupational therapists whether they've experienced burnout, how many do you think would say yes?

In this episode, we have an honest conversation about burnout in the OT profession. We share our own experiences working in clinics, schools, and early intervention, and talk about the realities that many therapists face every day: overwhelming caseloads, endless documentation, productivity demands, long commutes, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to constantly do more. 

We also discuss something that doesn't get talked about enough: how caring deeply about the children and families we serve can make it difficult to leave work at work. From challenging cases to social media comparison, there are so many factors contributing to burnout that go beyond simply being "too busy." 

Most importantly, we share practical strategies that have helped us protect our nervous systems, advocate for ourselves, set better boundaries, and create more sustainable careers. 

Thanks for listening 🩷

Whether you're a new grad, a seasoned therapist, or somewhere in between, we hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone. And reminder: GO ON THE TRIP. We’d love to hear your thoughts: have you experienced burnout and what have you used to combat it? 

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

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It's Not Just You: OT Burnout Is More Common Than You Think

If you asked a room full of occupational therapists whether they've experienced burnout, how many do you think would raise their hand? Unfortunately, probably most of them.

Occupational therapy is one of the most rewarding professions. Every day, therapists help children develop skills, support families through challenges, and celebrate meaningful progress. 

But behind those successes often lies a reality that many clinicians know all too well: overwhelming caseloads, documentation demands, productivity pressures, emotional exhaustion, and the constant challenge of balancing work with personal life. If you're an occupational therapist feeling stretched thin, you're not alone.

The good news? Burnout is not a personal failure. It's often the result of systemic challenges, and there are practical steps you can take to protect your well-being while continuing to provide excellent care.

What Is Occupational Therapy Burnout?

Burnout is more than simply feeling tired after a long day. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is characterized by:

• Emotional exhaustion.

• Increased mental distance from work.

• Feelings of negativity or cynicism.

• Reduced professional effectiveness.

For occupational therapists, burnout often develops gradually. Many clinicians enter the profession because they genuinely want to help others. 

Over time, the combination of emotional demands and administrative responsibilities can create a mismatch between why they entered the field and what their daily work actually looks like.

Why Is Burnout So Common In Occupational Therapy?

1. Documentation Demands

Many therapists spend hours each day documenting sessions, writing evaluations, updating goals, creating home programs, and completing insurance paperwork. The challenge isn't just the amount of documentation; it's finding time to complete it.

Many clinicians find themselves:

• Documenting during lunch breaks.

• Staying late after sessions.

• Taking notes home in the evenings.

• Spending weekends catching up on paperwork.

Over time, these extra hours can significantly impact work-life balance.

2. Productivity Expectations

Many healthcare systems place significant emphasis on productivity metrics. Therapists often feel pressure to:

• Maintain full caseloads.

• Minimize cancellations.

• Meet billing requirements.

• Achieve productivity benchmarks.

While these metrics help organizations function, they can sometimes leave therapists feeling like they have less time to focus on what matters most: helping their clients.

3. Emotional Labor

Occupational therapists don't just treat skills, they build relationships. They support children through challenges, guide families through difficult transitions, and often witness significant struggles firsthand.

Whether you're working in:

• Pediatrics.

• Schools.

• Early intervention.

• Skilled nursing.

• Outpatient clinics.

You carry pieces of your clients' stories with you. This emotional investment is one of the most meaningful parts of the profession, but it can also be one of the most exhausting.

4. Sensory and Emotional Overload

For pediatric therapists especially, the work environment itself can be draining. Many therapists spend their day:

• Supporting dysregulated children.

• Managing behavioral challenges.

• Responding to sensory needs.

• Constantly shifting attention between tasks.

When you're helping regulate others all day long, it can become difficult to maintain your own regulation.

5. Long Commutes and Administrative Tasks

Burnout isn't always caused by therapy sessions alone. Additional factors can include:

• Long commutes.

• Travel between locations.

• IEP meetings.

• Team collaboration.

• Scheduling responsibilities.

• Parent communication.

These responsibilities add up quickly and often extend beyond direct treatment hours.

Signs You May Be Experiencing Burnout

Burnout looks different for everyone, but some common warning signs include:

Physical Signs

• Constant fatigue.

• Headaches.

• Difficulty sleeping.

• Frequent illness.

• Muscle tension.

Emotional Signs

• Increased irritability.

• Feeling overwhelmed.

• Reduced empathy.

• Anxiety about work.

• Loss of motivation.

Professional Signs

• Difficulty focusing.

• Feeling disconnected from clients.

• Increased documentation errors.

• Dreading the workday.

• Considering leaving the profession.

Recognizing these signs early can help prevent more serious exhaustion later.

Practical Strategies To Reduce Occupational Therapy Burnout

While individual strategies cannot solve systemic problems, they can help protect your nervous system and improve daily well-being.

Advocate for Your Schedule

One of the most powerful tools you have is self-advocacy. Consider discussing:

• Scheduled documentation time.

• Reasonable caseload expectations.

• Mentorship opportunities.

• Built-in breaks throughout the day.

New graduates often feel hesitant to advocate for themselves. However, asking for support isn't a weakness, it’s professionalism. A sustainable schedule ultimately benefits both therapists and clients.

Protect Your Breaks

Many therapists sacrifice breaks to catch up on documentation. While this can feel productive in the short term, it often contributes to long-term burnout.

Instead, use breaks to:

• Step outside.

• Get sunlight.

• Take a short walk.

• Hydrate.

• Eat a nourishing meal.

• Practice deep breathing.

Even 10 minutes of intentional regulation can make a meaningful difference.

Create Efficient Documentation Systems

Small workflow improvements can reduce cognitive load. Some therapists find success with:

• Voice-to-text note taking.

• Documentation templates.

• Session planning systems.

• Quick post-session brain dumps.

Recording key information immediately after sessions can prevent the mental effort of trying to remember details hours later.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Social Media

Social media can be an incredible source of ideas and inspiration. However, it can also create unrealistic expectations.

Remember:

• Not every session needs a Pinterest-worthy setup.

• Not every treatment plan needs elaborate materials.

• Simplicity is often highly effective.

A board game, puzzle, obstacle course, or sensory bin can provide countless therapeutic opportunities when paired with strong clinical reasoning. Your value as a therapist is not measured by how elaborate your activities look online.

Learn Your Nervous System's Needs

Occupational therapists spend their careers helping others regulate. We sometimes forget to apply those same principles to ourselves.

Ask yourself:

• What helps me feel regulated before work?

• What helps me decompress afterward?

• What activities restore my energy?

• What situations consistently drain me?

Some therapists benefit from:

• Morning walks.

• Exercise.

• Time outdoors.

• Mindfulness practices.

• Creative hobbies.

• Reduced screen time.

The key is identifying what works for your unique nervous system.

Take Your PTO

This may sound simple, but many therapists struggle to fully disconnect. Paid time off exists for a reason.

Rest is not something you earn after reaching exhaustion. Rest is a proactive strategy that helps prevent exhaustion from occurring in the first place.

Remember: Career Pivots Are Okay

Many therapists feel pressure to remain in the same setting throughout their careers. But occupational therapy is incredibly diverse.

Some therapists move into:

• Education and training.

• Consulting.

• Product development.

• Research.

• Management.

• Content creation.

• Non-clinical healthcare roles.

Others temporarily step away from direct patient care and later return refreshed. A career pivot doesn't mean you've failed.

It means you're responding to your current needs and creating a sustainable path forward.

Supporting The Future Of Occupational Therapy

Burnout is not simply an individual issue; it's a profession-wide conversation. Organizations, clinics, schools, and healthcare systems all play an important role in supporting therapist well-being.

When therapists are supported, everyone benefits:

• Therapists experience greater job satisfaction.

• Families receive more consistent care.

• Children receive higher-quality services.

• The profession becomes stronger and more sustainable.

Final Thoughts

If you're feeling burned out, please know that you're not alone. Occupational therapy is deeply meaningful work, but it can also be emotionally, mentally, and physically demanding.

1. Start small.

2. Advocate for one change.

3. Take one real break.

4. Set one boundary.

5. Prioritize one activity that helps regulate your nervous system.

6. Small, consistent changes often create the greatest long-term transformation. 

Your well-being matters just as much as the well-being of the clients you serve and when you care for yourself, you're better equipped to continue making the incredible impact that drew you to occupational therapy in the first place.

BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science & art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views & opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties & what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.

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This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.