Degree Date

2-2026

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy

Academic Discipline

Counselor Education and Supervision

First Advisor

Marguerite Chabau, PhD

Second Advisor

Angela Brinton, PhD

Abstract

Psychotherapists often experience stress when treating distressed or emotionally troubled patients due to the emotionally taxing nature of their work, which can lead to burnout and other negative consequences (Bell et al., 2023; Maslach & Leiter, 2016; Simionato & Simpson, 2018) Therapists find it challenging to maintain regular self-care routines (Driscoll, 2023; Baker & Gabriel, 2021; Posluns & Gall, 2020). With the constant demand for counselors (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2024), there is a critical need for effective stress management strategies to mitigate burnout risks (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2022; Sibitz, Pils, & Hofer, 2024). The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the effects of a six-week Viniyoga-based intervention on perceived stress, burnout, and professional quality of life among licensed psychotherapists. The study recruited 102 psychotherapists working in private practice in the state of Illinois. A pretest–posttest design was used, and data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). The Viniyoga program significantly reduced perceived stress and burnout and improved professional quality of life among participants who completed pre- and post-intervention assessments (n = 78). The largest improvements were observed in perceived stress and across Copenhagen Burnout Inventory subscales (personal, work-related, and client-related burnout), with effects in the medium-to-large range. ProQOL-5 results showed increased compassion satisfaction and reductions in secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and moral distress; perceived support showed a small increase. Implications for future research include examining the long-term effects of yoga-based interventions on psychotherapist wellness and exploring integration into counselor training and professional development programs. These findings support the use of yoga-based self-care interventions as a viable approach to iv enhancing the wellness of psychotherapists. Keywords: stress and burnout, self-care, yoga

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