PPRNet Clinical summary: Self-Compassion as a Protective Factor Against Burnout in Psychologists

In many parts of the world, psychologists make up a large proportion of mental health professionals. Although the work of psychologists and psychotherapists can be rewarding, it can also be emotionally demanding. These demands, along with heavy, complex caseloads and administrative tasks, can affect practitioners’ mental health and the quality of the care that they provide. Long-term exposure to these demands and stressors might lead to burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment. Burnout can develop from ongoing, unresolved stress that one’s personal resources cannot manage. The demands can also come from personal ideals, including internal pressures and self-imposed standards, leading to unrealistic expectations and harsh self-criticism. Fear of making mistakes and self-criticism are linked to perfectionism, and perfectionistic tendencies are common among psychologists and other mental health professionals. Hence, perfectionism in mental health professionals could lead to burnout. One protective factor might be self-compassion - the capacity to respond to personal difficulties with kindness, a sense of shared humanity, and mindfulness. In this study, Hassmen and Huynh surveyed 148 Australian psychologists who provided mental health care and asked them to report on their level of burnout, perfectionism, and self-compassion. Of the participants, 27% met criteria for burnout. Self-compassion was negatively associated with burnout (β = –.25, p = .01), and perfectionistic concerns were positively associated with burnout (β = .21, p = .03). In a mediation analysis, the authors assessed whether self-compassion mediated, or partially accounted for, the association between perfectionism and burnout. There was a significant indirect effect of self-compassion (95% CI [–9.73, –.95]), meaning that lower self-compassion partially explains why perfectionism can lead to burnout in this sample of mental health professionals.

Practice Implications 

Self-compassion may buffer the effects of perfectionism on burnout in mental health professionals. Greater kindness, mindfulness, and a sense of shared humanity may support adaptive coping and emotion regulation. While self-compassion did not eliminate the effects of perfectionistic self-criticism, self-compassion appeared to lessen them. Those drawn to the work of mental health professionals may have perfectionistic tendencies to begin with, and the training may amplify these tendencies. Interventions that emphasize mindful self-compassion and psychoeducation may help practitioners to respond more adaptively to professional and personal stressors. Professionals may benefit from engaging in reflective practice and consulting colleagues to re-evaluate professional mistakes or imperfections as opportunities for learning rather than indicators of personal failures.  

Hassmén, P., & Huynh, C. (2026). Self-compassion as a protective factor against burnout in psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pro0000681