In today’s article, we will define how Single Session Therapy can be an important resource in the business world, especially if used as a strategy to prevent issues related to stress – specifically work-related stress, also known as burnout.
Increasingly, in the workplace, we are witnessing situations where people are overwhelmed by the high work stress generated by increasing responsibilities and workloads, causing them to leave their jobs, sometimes even without a ready alternative. This phenomenon is drawing more and more attention to the well-being and health of workers.
What is Burnout?
The term burnout comes from English and means to burn out, to exhaust oneself, or to extinguish. It refers to a particular phenomenon generated by chronic stress in the workplace. This issue leads to emotional exhaustion, a resulting compromise of work abilities, and significant psychological distress.
In what situations does it manifest in particular?
Burnout tends to develop easily in work environments that are:
- Poorly managed at the organizational level, with poorly distributed workloads, low wages, and high conflict.
- With intense work rhythms and direct contact with people dealing with psychological, physical, and social issues.
All of these conditions generate high levels of stress and anxiety.
A brief historical note:
Between 1974 and 1976, the term burnout was used by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger and American psychiatrist C. Maslach to define a syndrome whose symptoms highlighted a behavioral issue in professions that require high relational involvement.
Later, it became clear that burnout syndrome was not limited to helping professions. Numerous categories of workers are at risk, including freelancers, public employees, and managers.
Additionally, this issue can involve all professionals responsible for emergency management.
How is it currently classified?
Burnout syndrome is defined as an occupational phenomenon that can seriously threaten the well-being of workers, compromising their physical and mental health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognizes burnout as a syndrome, listing it in the International Classification of Diseases, specifically in the ICD-11 chapter, which concerns factors influencing health status.
How does burnout develop and what are its symptoms?
The main causes often include excessive workloads to manage in a short amount of time, lack of stimulation leading to monotony, inadequate compensation, poor professional recognition, toxic relationships in the workplace, an emotional personality and low self-esteem, inadequate safety and prevention measures, and lack of psychological support.
What are the manifestations of burnout?
- Emotional exhaustion, the feeling of being “drained” of personal emotional resources and the sensation of having nothing left to offer psychologically.
- Mental distance from one’s work, leading to detachment, negative attitudes, sometimes even cynicism.
- Reduced professional efficacy and fulfillment, affecting one’s sense of inadequacy at work, resulting in demotivation and a loss of self-esteem.
- Loss of control, the difficulty in separating work from personal life, as work and work-related thoughts continuously invade personal time.
Burnout can also provoke or worsen psychosomatic disorders, including gastrointestinal issues, migraines, sexual disorders, skin reactions, sleep disturbances, etc.
How can Single Session Therapy be helpful?
Single Session Therapy can be useful in supporting individuals facing burnout-related issues in achieving important goals.
In a single session, the professional can help the worker find strategies to positively influence their thoughts and behaviors, while recognizing that many significant changes will occur outside the session. This increases control and responsibility for the problem and the effectiveness of the treatment’s results.
Conclusions
Single Session Therapy allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding of their problem, give it new meaning, and choose the best path forward. It also enhances and develops existing skills and resources or helps acquire new ones. The person is assisted in identifying repeated dysfunctional habits to replace them with new, more functional ones. Finally, it increases motivation, particularly in taking action toward change.
Sara Barone
Psychologist in training at the Italian Center for Single Session Therapy
Bibliography
Adina M., Vesa Ș.C., Nirestean A. (2021). Burnout Syndrome: Therapeutic Approach With Beneficial Effects on Personality and Quality of Life, Alternative Therapies.
Montero-Marín J., Prado-Abril J., Demarzo M., García-Toro M., García-Campayo J. (2016). Burnout subtypes and their clinical implications: A theoretical proposal for specific therapeutic approaches, Revista de Psicopatología y Psicología Clínica, 21, 231-242, 2016.
Jaworska-Burzyńska L., Kanaffa-Kilijańska U., Przysiężna E., Szczepańska-Gieracha J. (2016). The role of therapy in reducing the risk of job burnout, A systematic review of literature, Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.