To leave stressful job…long

[Twoshoesnewshoes]

And be £500 a month worse off?
I am a therapist and work in a specific area of trauma, which I have also experienced.

ironically, I feel i have finally processed enough of my own stuff and am ‘over’ it. But my resilience seems to be dropping away for the work, I feel like I cannot hear another story of someone’s experience. I think I am burning out.

i am quite well paid, earn a lot for me - PT (3 days) and £3k a month before tax but £2k after.

I’ve always been interested in working in education admin/support. There’s a couple of posts at the local unis that I’d like to apply for.
but when I think about earning £500 a month less for the same hours, it seems bonkers! Will I regret it? Will I be just as stressed (though hopefully not constantly triggered) and be worse off?

my DP earns enough to take up the slack - we are saving for our adult DCs house deposits atm and could pull back a bit. He will support me. I just feel guilty. Thanks.

It doesn’t seem like you’ll be worse off at all.

Money wise, I guess so due to £500 pay cut but mental health wise

Absolutely not

I also think as a therapist to be burnt out and done with listening to peoples stories, is a sign for your sake and your clients to leave, asap

Life is too short to stay in a job that you find stressful. This isn’t just a financial decision, what are the positive impacts in the rest of your life by doing something that you find more fulfilling? If it makes you are happier by changing roles then you’ll likely be a happier person to be around and that will benefit everyone around you, why would you feel guilty about that?

Don't feel guilty. You'd encourage a client to prioritise their well being and mental health, you wouldn't want someone else to end up burnt out, so afford yourself the same kindness. And I'm sure your children will be grateful of any help towards a home.

When (and if!) you're ready to go back to work as a therapist, could you look at using your experience in a different area? For example the various NHS trusts have counselling support for staff, which could be for a number of reasons, and is generally for short term periods.

Enjoy your new role, whatever it is.

Put yourself first.

you've helped enough people and now you need to help yourself.

Doesnt sound like you’re able to safely and ethically practise.

Maybe you could do more non-therapy stuff too like running CPD courses and workshops?

Health is more important than cash. If u can afford it do it. To be honest you cannot afford not to do it. If you have less for your child's deposit, so be it.

Thank you all, really helpful. To be clear, im
not doing direct client work, it’s strategic work in that area and yes ,it’s dull. I thought it would be a step back as it’s third hand but it’s even more triggering somehow

Just thinking about this further I think it’s quite worrying that you are in charge of being a therapist dealing with peoples traumas knowing you are burnt out and do not feel like you are able to listen to their stories, someone else commented that in a previous post you found it mind numbing dull. I’d say you are being unfair to clients by staying and morally should move on.

I think staying for the money and worrying about a pay cut is unfair

@Rosemarysprinkle Sorry should have been more clear , I am not working directly with clients in this role. I mentioned I’m a therapist so as not to drip feed

I’ll edit

Compassion fatigue is a very real thing, absolutely leave and find something else before you do yourself real harm.

I’m a trained therapist and practiced as this for many years
this role is strategic/clinical guidance. I wanted to move away from direct client work but actually it hasn’t helped, almost the opposite
so not currently in a therapist role, no

Could you work FT to compensate for the lower salary?

Thanks, I could certainly do more hours. I’m exhausted at the moment but would hopefully feel more energised in different work.
its sad too, to throw away years of trading and experience. Really sad.

"education admin/support" is not going to be non-stressful. Can you take a sabbatical?

@EveryDayFruity this is my worry - out of the frying pan into a less well paid fire.
no I can’t afford not to work. Also I think I do need to move on so not sure what a sabbatical would achieve if I’m not returning?

Look for another job. Don't hand in notice, don't jump, until it suits you.

I have done good accounts jobs and bad. One woman treated me so badly I decided never again will I allow that. Working somewhere nice for 13 years (till they folded) was lovely. Now in a nice job, I grafted for months and now can do it with my eyes closed.

You too will find nice, have faith.

Thank you that sounds good

Exactly.

I don't know the answer but I'd have thought there's a middle way between jacking in a job as a (hopefully trained) therapist, where you'll be using your skills, and taking a stressful, badly paid job, important though it is.

The majority of support / professional service roles at universities (particularly at the level you referring to) are horrible. All the responsibility with none of the authority where you are caught between academics, students and the central functions.

It certainly isn't stress free!

Hmmm ok, might need a rethink