Management of Burnout: Training Psychologists in Professional Life Span Perspectives

There is a keen awareness developing in psychology and other professions, supported by research findings, that many professionals are psychologically impaired and considerably underproductive in their work environment. A four-stage theory of professional development is presented to highlight important developmental issues experienced by psychologists. It is proposed that the growing research on burnout in professionals may be better understood in the context of a developmental theory. Suggestions are offered for graduate school education that would facilitate the recognition of developmental milestones in psychology and the potential for burnout while meeting these challenges.