From Burnout to Balance: Why Therapists Should Work in Collaborative Care

Updated: June 10, 2025

In this blog you will learn:

• Why mental health therapists are burning out in record numbers
• Why working in private practice and community mental health may exacerbate burnout
• Why working in collaborative care is best for therapists

It’s no secret that mental health therapists like you are burning out at unprecedented rates. It’s so well-worn by now (here, here, and here) you’d think widespread reform would have happened by now. But it hasn’t.

Why are Therapists Burning Out?

In the world of behavioral health it’s common for therapists to experience some stress and fatigue from time to time.  But COVID-19 illuminated how taxing this job can truly be. Your mileage may vary, but over half of mental health therapists in 2023 reported experiencing burnout. Their chronic stress and emotional exhaustion stemmed from the lack of resources, support, and balance, among other reasons. It shows no signs of slowing down either whether you work in private practice or community mental health. Therapists continue to face an endless cycle of institutional pressures to treat more and more patients. All we can expect in return is a flurry of news articles retelling our plight with half-baked solutions. Equal parts exhausting and discouraging, it’s no wonder that a record number of therapists are leaving the profession at a time when patients need them most.

How Private Practice and Community Mental Health Amplify Therapist Burnout

Private practice and community mental health settings offer certain advantages, but their disadvantages amplify burnout. The heavy caseloads, administrative burden, working in isolation, limited resources, and little-to-no opportunity for continuous professional development impede therapists from delivering exceptional care while also caring for themselves. Shouldn’t we take great care of therapists who are expected to take great care of their patients? Unfortunately, they’ve been given a raw deal that exacerbates stress and makes them feel disconnected from their life-changing work.

Collaborative Care Settings Reduce Therapist Burnout

Collaborative care settings (integrating behavioral health services in primary care) offer what therapists truly need: a healthy work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and a supportive environment that prioritizes their wellbeing. Here’s how I know:

My Introduction to Collaborative Care with evolvedMD

As a therapist on the brink of burnout, I couldn’t wait for change to happen, so I sought something new. I interviewed with a recruiter at evolvedMD to help me understand a role they pitched as being radically different. I was floored by how much focus was put on taking care of the therapist (self-care bonuses, ample amounts of training, and more). I thought it was too good to be true but agreed to a second interview with a Clinical Manager (now Clinical Director) named Jeff Ainsa. I even told him, “This is too good to be true.” He said he’d clear things up with one more phone call.

That call came from evolvedMD CEO Erik Osland. He seemed genuinely happy to talk to me, told me why he started evolvedMD, and addressed all my concerns. He said that he and Co-CEO, Steve Biljan, had built the company for one major reason: retaining therapists by eliminating burnout. Everything was set up for the therapist to be successful, but he made one thing clear, “You have to actually do it.” The message was, you must do your self-care activities, you have to leave your computer at work, you have to be the one to walk out of your office at 5:00 PM and not look back.

Four years later I haven’t looked back.

The Benefits of Working in Collaborative Care

evolvedMD’s unique Collaborative Care model leads to a more sustainable and fulfilling way to deliver behavioral health services. Here’s how:

• True Collaboration: Collaborative care involves a team of PCPs, Clinical Supervisors, Psychiatric Consultants, and Care Coordinators to deliver comprehensive care—both physical and mental health. As the mental health expert on this team, you strictly focus on delivering high-quality therapy to patients—that’s it.
• Work-Life Balance: With manageable caseloads and a collaborative team at your side, you can enjoy life outside of work—not catching up on notes at home or preparing for the demands of tomorrow. It is an expectation that your laptop stays at work so you can be present at home.
• Professional Development: Weekly supervision is provided within the organization for those of us that are on our way to getting our independent licenses. For those of us that are licensed you have a clinical manager that will continue to provide supervision each week to continue to staff cases and develop as a professional.
• Preserving Passion: Therapists aim to make a difference, but traditional settings can drain your passion. Collaborative care allows you to make a meaningful difference without sacrificing your well-being. Everyone on the team works in their lane, giving you the opportunity to do what you love, and that’s giving quality therapy to your patients!

The result: Happy, healthy therapists helps them deliver exceptional care and improved patient outcomes. It’s a win-win.

Why You Should Join evolvedMD Today

• Transparent Schedules and Pay: Our 45/15 schedule deliver manageable caseloads and a consistent schedule. It also provides flexibility for the clinician to build their day the way that works best for them.
• No On-Call, Weekends, or Holidays: We mean it. You will work 8 am-5 pm. Not before, not after, and not during lunch.
• Clinical Supervision: Managed by a Clinical Manager, you get access to free expertise and knowledge through weekly supervision—at no cost to you. Hours count towards licensure.
• Professional Development Tools: Our industry first Collaborative Care Leadership Development Program (CCLDP), access to clinical supervision, Director of Training + Curriculum, Psych Hub, CEU opportunities, and more – all paid for.
• We’re a Best Place to Work: And we strive to keep it that way.

If you’re a therapist feeling the strains of burnout, know that there is another way. Join us in redefining the landscape of mental health care. Don’t just make a difference, thrive while doing it.

Apply to join evolvedMD today.