Burnout in Mental Health Counselors: Can Mindfulness Improve Well Being?
Heather Payne
Argosy University
Research and Program Evaluation
R6032
Dr. Dale Coovert
December 14, 2010

Abstract

Because mental health counselors are susceptible to burnout, which may negatively affect their clients, it is ethically imperative that they practice self-care. There is a growing body of research supporting the positive effects of mindfulness in facilitating counselor effectiveness, but little is known about the link between the practice of mindfulness and the rate of counselor burnout. The research proposal discussed in this article seeks to examine the link between mindfulness and counselors’ ability to practice effectively without experiencing
The language requirement was because MBSR materials were only available in English (Shapiro, et al, 2005). Exclusion criteria included current substance abuse issues and current suicidal ideation.
Baseline and post intervention measures were taken on both the experimental and control groups, but the control group did not complete post intervention measures after they received the same treatment. Psychological distress was measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to measure three facets of job related burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment (Shapiro, et.al, 2005). Stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale, a global measure of perceived stress. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and a self-compassion scale were used to measure these positive outcomes. These scales are psychometrically sound (Shapiro, et al, 2005).
Of the eighteen participants randomized into the MBSR intervention, eight did not complete the study. Of the twenty participants in the control group, two did not complete end of study assessments. The tables presented in the article showed significant between group differences in perceived stress and self-compassion scales. Compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group reported greater