Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Part LIII Counseling, Depression, and Burnout

There is overlap between the symptoms of depression and burnout. Many of those with burnout are also depressed. If the depression is significant, the individual should be referred for therapy. However, many articles on therapy for those with burnout are flawed, and the best type of therapy for burnout is controversial. However, cognitive behavior therapy is usually helpful for the emotional exhaustion component of burnout. Counseling and/or coaching may be helpful for those having burnout without significant depression. There are lessons from positive psychology that may be utilized to help counsel those with burnout.