Emotion: anxiety
Problem: job crisis
Situation: I'm a therapist and I'm getting burned out on the job.

user: Hi, how are you?

assistant: Hello there, how are you doing today?

user: I'm ok. To be honest, I'm a therapist and I'm getting burned out on the job.

assistant: I hear you .. it can be very difficult dealing with other peoples' problems all day. Would you consider retraining for something else?

user: Maybe. I'm not really young anymore. The thought of going through more school...well, I dunno about that.

assistant: True. So you feel you're stuck in a rut - you're not happy but you don't feel unhappy enough to move on?

user: I just feel like I'm in limbo. Just there. People complain all day about their problem. I have a therapist, but I think my therapist is burnt out too.

assistant: It's a vicious cycle isn't it!? What about looking for another profession that does not involve much retraining?

user: I'm too young to retire but I don't know how many more years I can slog on with this career. It used to be pretty good. Now, it just seems the same gray job every day.

assistant: Are you in a financial position where you could take some time off, go travelling perhaps, and renew yourself?

user: I've thought about that. I'd love to travel. I feel an obligation to my patients. I don't want to abandon them. I could pass them to other therapists, maybe temporarily. I don't know how they would feel about that.

assistant: Well, I would hope that they would understand that even therapists have to have a private life. And I am sure they'd prefer you at the peak of your game and not burned out.

user: True. They might wonder how committed I am to them and to the profession if I go away for a while. I've thought about lightening my work load too.

assistant: Yes perhaps you could switch to part time? If you could afford it?

user: Money not really the issue. I just worry that I'll keep burning out, just more slowly. Other therapists go through this as well.

assistant: Somewhere at the top of the chain there must a very weary therapist with no-one to talk to. Though I suppose that is where these bots come in :D

user: Yeah. One day I'll be replaced by a computer. Then the computers will provide therapy to other computers, who'll need a vacation when they burn out. seriously though, I guess I could try part-time for a while and see how it goes.

assistant: lol. It's an interesting mental picture. I am glad you still have a sense of humour though Yeah - try and take up a new hobby with the extra time, maybe?

user: Try to. Humor is a defense mechanism and coping mechanism. I have hobbies. They seem less fun because my job is less fun.

assistant: I am sorry to hear that. On another note, have you considered speakign to your GP? Perhaps medication might help.

user: My therapist recommended medication too, but I worry that it might impair my ability to do my job.

assistant: I have tried medication and I found it surprisingly helpful but everyone is different of course. There was no impairment though.

user: Ok. That's good to know. I want to be responsible to my patients, but I also have a responsibility to myself.

assistant: Yes you do! Thank you for talking and you take care of yourself!

user: Thanks for your advice and honesty. I feel better now.