Understanding Counselor Burnout from an Ecological Systems Perspective

Authors

• Stephanie Thorson-OlesenFollow
• Lisa Belknap, Antioch UniversityFollow
• Emily Velidow, Antioch UniversityFollow
• Jessica Gaul, Antioch UniversityFollow
• Phoenix Rosewood, Antioch UniversityFollow
• Nayara Aparecida Da Costa Silva Beall, Antioch UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1523-8682

Author Biography

Dr. Stephanie Thorson-Olesen is a Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) at Antioch University Seattle. She is the Director of Research and Dissertation. She earned her PhD from Capella University and Master’s degree from Winona State University in Minnesota. She also has a Professional Certificate in Online Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Thorson-Olesen was previously a tenured faculty member at Viterbo University, and was awarded D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership Research Fellowship, Advisor of the Year and Teacher of the Year. She has served as Chair of Diversity, Interim Faculty Chair, Assistant Dean, and was elected as the Faculty Council Chair. She co-authored and was awarded federal grant funding to expand counseling services in rural areas and emphasize integrative care practices. She also served on the University President’s Advisory Council. Most recently, she was awarded the prestigious David Van Doren Leadership and Service award from the Wisconsin Counseling Association (WCA), a Branch of the American Counseling Association. She has served on the Executive Board for the WCA and was the Editor of the Association Journal. She has previously been involved in mental health policy making at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and is an active member of the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and Chi Sigma Iota.

Document Type

Empirical Research Article

Keywords

Burnout, counselor, Ecological Systems, wellness

Subject Area

Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling

Abstract

Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as a guiding framework, this study explored the experiences of licensed counselors who self-identified as having recovered from burnout. Burnout was conceptualized as a prolonged response to chronic occupational stress, while participants were invited to describe their experiences based on their own lived understandings of the phenomenon. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using data collected through an anonymous online survey featuring open-ended prompts. Participants included 32 licensed counselors who graduated from CACREP-accredited programs and reported previously experiencing burnout and no longer identifying as currently burned out. Thematic analysis yielded nine interrelated themes encompassing contributors, manifestations, and recovery processes: (1) physical and mental health factors, (2) personal life challenges, (3) social isolation and social engagement tensions, (4) intersections of personal and professional identities, (5) licensure difficulties, (6) organizational pressures and performance expectations, (7) broader systemic factors, (8) multidimensional manifestations of burnout, and (9) a holistic emphasis on counselor wellness. Findings highlight the dynamic interplay among individual, relational, organizational, and systemic influences in both the development of burnout and the recovery process. Implications underscore the need for multilevel, wellness-oriented, and policy-informed strategies to promote counselor sustainability and long-term professional vitality.

Public Significance Statement

Burnout is a widespread issue in the counseling profession, yet there is limited research examining this phenomenon from a holistic lens. This study highlights the personal and systemic challenges licensed counselors face with burnout and recovery. By exploring the experiences of counselors who have navigated burnout, the findings emphasize the need for holistic wellness practices and systemic changes in the counseling profession. Addressing burnout is essential for sustaining a healthy, effective workforce and ensuring quality care for clients, while maintaining the future of the profession.

Recommended Citation

Thorson-Olesen, S., Belknap, L., Velidow, E., Gaul, J., Rosewood, P., & Da Costa Silva Beall, N. A. (2026). Understanding counselor burnout from an ecological systems perspective. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 20(2), 1-20.