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Social representations of therapist self-care and well-being: a thematic analysis of peak body media.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Social representations of therapist self-care and well-being: a thematic analysis of peak body media.
Authors: Lorraway, Mimirose, Wilkinson, Sarah, Sargeant, Sally
Source: Australian Psychologist. Oct2025, Vol. 60 Issue 5, p423-434. 12p.
Subjects: Health self-care, Serial publications, Psychologists, Mental health counselors, Psychological burnout, Psychological distress, Qualitative research, Psychological well-being, Social perception, Descriptive statistics, Thematic analysis, Ethics, Newsletters, Bulletin boards, Data analysis software, Media exposure, COVID-19 pandemic
Geographic Terms: Australia, New Zealand
Abstract: Objective: Therapist self-care supports their well-being and ability to support clients, making a culture of self-care driven by peak bodies of paramount importance. Limited research has examined how the issue of therapist self-care and well-being is depicted within these peak bodies. This study explored representations of therapist well-being and self-care in media articles from professional peak bodies to better understand how the issue is discussed. Method: Drawing on Social Representation Theory, 53 media articles were selected from the websites of six peak bodies – the organisations providing professional guidance and advocacy for therapists – representing therapists (counsellors, psychotherapists, and psychologists) across Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand, and were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were generated. Therapists in Exceptional Circumstances reflected well-being within broader systemic and environmental issues. Adversity as Commonplace revealed the prevalence of burnout depiction with overwhelming job demands. Client and Therapist Mutually Impacted highlighted the moral distress experienced by therapists reducing client contact as a form of self-care. Conclusions: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the therapy professions shows the need for positive representations of therapist well-being within peak body media. Open dialogues should address therapists' moral distress while managing self-care, and peak bodies must take a more active role in promoting a culture of self-care. Key Points: What is already known about this topic: Therapist self-care is essential to providing optimal care to clients. Therapists can struggle to manage self-care. Online spaces can help to provide resources for and represent self-care. What this topic adds: Insight into how online peak body media articles might represent self-care and well-being. How social representations assist in the construction of therapist well-being. Public portrayal of therapists may influence their capacity to manage self-care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Objective: Therapist self-care supports their well-being and ability to support clients, making a culture of self-care driven by peak bodies of paramount importance. Limited research has examined how the issue of therapist self-care and well-being is depicted within these peak bodies. This study explored representations of therapist well-being and self-care in media articles from professional peak bodies to better understand how the issue is discussed. Method: Drawing on Social Representation Theory, 53 media articles were selected from the websites of six peak bodies – the organisations providing professional guidance and advocacy for therapists – representing therapists (counsellors, psychotherapists, and psychologists) across Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand, and were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were generated. Therapists in Exceptional Circumstances reflected well-being within broader systemic and environmental issues. Adversity as Commonplace revealed the prevalence of burnout depiction with overwhelming job demands. Client and Therapist Mutually Impacted highlighted the moral distress experienced by therapists reducing client contact as a form of self-care. Conclusions: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the therapy professions shows the need for positive representations of therapist well-being within peak body media. Open dialogues should address therapists' moral distress while managing self-care, and peak bodies must take a more active role in promoting a culture of self-care. Key Points: What is already known about this topic: Therapist self-care is essential to providing optimal care to clients. Therapists can struggle to manage self-care. Online spaces can help to provide resources for and represent self-care. What this topic adds: Insight into how online peak body media articles might represent self-care and well-being. How social representations assist in the construction of therapist well-being. Public portrayal of therapists may influence their capacity to manage self-care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00050067
DOI:10.1080/00050067.2024.2436930