There is another way to be a care worker.

Research increasingly suggests that burnout and professional distress are shaped by broader working conditions, exposure to stress, and the availability of meaningful support. A 2023 systematic review found that creative and art-based interventions show promise for addressing burnout and psychosocial distress among healthcare workers, while also emphasizing the need for stronger evaluation of these approaches. (Tjasink et al., 2023)

For BIPOC mental health professionals, the demands of care work can also intersect with racialized and cultural stress. In a study of 252 Black mental health therapists, perceived cultural racism and hours worked were associated with burnout, highlighting the importance of understanding professional well-being within broader social and cultural contexts. (Shell et al., 2022)

For therapists working with clients from their own communities or with culturally specific experiences, the work may also involve navigating complex questions of identity, responsibility, representation, and systemic harm. Professionals may be expected to hold these concerns for others while having limited opportunities to process the professional and personal impact of this work with people who understand its complexity.