Reviews in Clinical Medicine

Reviews in Clinical Medicine

Systematic Review of the Psychological and professional Injuries Faced by Psychotherapists during Therapy Sessions

Document Type : Systematic review

Authors
Hanieh Kamkar 1
Iran Davoudi 1
Mahnaz Mehrabizadeh Honarmand 1
Keyvan Salehi 2
1 Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22038/rcm.2025.84168.1517
Abstract
This article systematically reviews the psychological and professional injuries psychotherapists experience during therapy sessions. A comprehensive search was conducted across databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Noormags to identify relevant studies. The findings revealed that psychotherapists are exposed to significant risks, including burnout, occupational stress, secondary trauma, and empathy fatigue, all of which can severely impact their mental health, job satisfaction, and professional performance. These risks are influenced by various factors, such as the type of clients they work with, the severity of mental health issues presented by clients, and the duration of therapy sessions. Effective mitigation strategies, such as developing structured self-care programs, promoting psychological exercises, and fostering a supportive organizational culture, were highlighted as essential. Additionally, providing professional counseling, reducing workloads, and enhancing work-life balance are key measures to address these challenges. Further research is crucial to explore innovative and effective strategies for reducing these occupational hazards and improving psychotherapists' well-being.
Keywords
Therapist
injury
Psychotherapy
Counselor injury
Therapist burnout
Mental health
professional risks
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Reviews in Clinical Medicine
Volume 12, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 18-26