Helping the Helpers: Factors Associated with Burnout Among Life Coaches

Abstract

Given the limited number of Registered Guidance Counselors, Life Coaches, who are psychology-graduates working towards licensure, are employed to help carry out Guidance Services to its clients. Their nature of job is similar to their counterpart which made them equally susceptible to burnout. The latter may hamper the quality of service imparted to the clients this is why it is relevant to maintain wellness among Life Coaches. This study aims to determine the likelihood of experiencing burnout among them and to further explore the factors associated with it. This is participated by the Life Coaches who are currently working in private schools and/or universities in Cebu City, Cebu.  This study utilizes a qualitative method. Emotional exhaustion by means of dealing with heavy counseling cases, working beyond office hours, doing tasks outside the scope of the job, and feeling demotivated at life in general; Depersonalization by means of detachment from the clients, disengagement from direct supervisor, and indifference towards family members; and Receding Sense of Personal Accomplishment by means of feelings of incompetence and stagnation were observed among the participants of this study. Other determinants of burnout identified by the participants are Low Salary and less incentive, Lack to no recognition, Incompatible leadership, Role ambiguity, and Work-from-Home set-up. The prevalence of Maslach’s three (3) major components of burnout along with other distinguished factors indicates that the participants of this study are on the verge of job burning-out. With this awareness, Guidance Directors are challenged to devise a sustainability plan based on the suggested outcome of this study in order to help the helpers stay in this profession and will eventually bridge the gap of insufficient RGCs in the Philippines.