How to Avoid Burnout and Create Meaningful Change in Play Therapy

Play therapy is deeply rewarding — but it can also feel isolating.
Many therapists enter this work with big hearts and a passion for helping children heal, yet somewhere along the way, exhaustion creeps in. The demands of holding space for tough cases, juggling documentation, and often being the only play therapist in a practice can quietly lead to burnout.

In this episode of Next Level Play Therapy, we explored why community is essential in this field — and how leaning on others isn’t just nice to have, but vital for both your well-being and the children you serve.

The Hidden Weight of Working Alone

It’s common to hear therapists say:

“I’m the only play therapist in my agency.”
“No one else around me really gets what I do.”

When you’re the lone play therapist in a private practice, agency, or school, it can feel like you’re navigating tough cases in a vacuum. You may have moments in session that shake you — where you stay calm for the child but later find yourself thinking, What just happened? Without trusted peers to process those moments with, stress builds, and self-doubt sets in.

Why We Resist Seeking Support

Even when we know consultation is good for us, it’s easy to avoid it. Common reasons therapists give themselves:

“I should know this by now.” Experience doesn’t erase the need for perspective.
Fear of judgment. No one wants to look unskilled in front of peers.
Not knowing where to find community. It’s hard to connect with others in such a niche field.

But the reality? No one can do this work alone. We are human beings working with human beings — and that dynamic is inherently complex. Community provides both professional guidance and emotional grounding.

The Power of Consultation and Community

When we connect with other play therapists, something shifts:

Validation: Realizing you’re not the only one who struggles with certain cases.
Perspective: Seeing patterns or solutions you couldn’t spot on your own.
Growth: Expanding your toolkit through shared experience and wisdom.

Consultation isn’t just about troubleshooting difficult cases; it’s about staying grounded, learning continuously, and preventing burnout before it takes hold.

Creating Meaningful Change — For You and Your Clients

Meaningful change in play therapy starts with meaningful support. By building connections, you:

Protect your mental and emotional health.
Approach sessions with more confidence and creativity.
Provide a higher level of care to the children and families you serve.

This isn’t about adding one more thing to your plate — it’s about ensuring you have the nourishment you need to keep showing up fully in the playroom.

Your Invitation to Connect

If you’ve been feeling isolated or on the edge of burnout, consider this your nudge: you deserve support, too. Surround yourself with people who “get it,” who understand the joys and challenges of this work, and who can walk alongside you as you grow.

That’s exactly why I created the Play Therapy Elevation Circle — a space for connection, consultation, and encouragement for play therapists at every stage. It’s a place to share wins, unpack tough cases, and remember you’re not alone in this work.

Join us in this live webinar to learn more about Play Therapy Elevation CRCLE

Key Takeaway

Burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable. By investing in community and seeking consultation, you create the conditions not just for your own resilience, but for the meaningful, lasting change your clients deserve.

Categories: : Burnout, Community, Play Therapy, Play Therapy Elevation Circle, Podcast