The Science of Burnout

What Is It, Why It Happens, and How to Avoid It


Burnout happens.

Has it happened to you? The burned-out feel exhausted, cynical, and ineffective. This not only harms their health, well-being, and relationships but also reduces their productivity, retention, and other aspects of the “bottom line.”

For roughly 40 years, researchers have been studying burnout, trying to document its symptoms as well as the personal and structural factors that contribute to it. While the scientific community has yet to establish a set of best practices for preventing or helping people recover from burnout, research has identified factors that put people more at risk and activities that guard against the incidence of burnout in individuals and organizations. 

At this day-long seminar led by GGSC Science Director Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Ph.D.--with special guests including celebrated compassion teacher Joan Halifax, Ph.D., burnout expert Christina Maslach, Ph.D., and UCLA psychiatrist Elizabeth Bromley, M.D., Ph.D.--participants will explore the characteristics of burnout, its negative consequences, and the individual and organizational factors that make it more or less likely. Attendees will learn about the biological and psychological consequences of burnout—and differentiate it from related concepts like chronic stress, depression, and so-called “compassion fatigue.”

They’ll also discover practical activities they can try in order to boost their resilience, as well as programs and approaches to organizational policy that can effectively guard against burnout. The mix of science and practices offered throughout the day will suggest ways to mitigate the risk of burnout within themselves, their work environments, and their clients, patients, or employees. 

6 CE hours available. 

 

  • 8:30-9:00 AM

    Registration & Check in

  • 9:00-9:55

    Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Ph.D.: Defining and Recognizing Burnout

  • 9:55-10:25

    Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Ph.D.: Symptoms and Biology of Burnout

  • 10:25-10:40

    Break

  • 10:40-11:45

    Elizabeth Bromley, M.D., Ph.D.: Burnout in Real Life

  • 11:45-12:00 PM

    Elizabeth Bromley, M.D., Ph.D.: A Reflective Approach to Caregiving

  • 12:00-1:00

    Lunch (on your own)

  • 1:00-1:30

    Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Ph.D.: Where Does Burnout Come From?

  • 1:30-2:35

    Christina Maslach, Ph.D.: Understanding Burnout

  • 2:35-2:55

    Break

  • 2:55-3:10

    Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Ph.D.: Burnout Practices

  • 3:10-4:15

    Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D.: Compassion: The Antidote to Burnout

  • 4:15-4:30

    Closing Remarks and Practices

  • Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D.

    Known for her compassionate work with the terminally ill, Joan Halifax, Ph.D., is also a Buddhist teacher, Zen priest, anthropologist, and founder, abbot, and head teacher of Upaya Zen Center, a Buddhist monastery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her books include Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Wisdom in the Presence of Death.

  • Christina Maslach, Ph.D.

    Christina Maslach is a professor of psychology (emerita) at UC Berkeley and received her A.B. from Harvard and her Ph.D. from Stanford. She is widely recognized as one of the pioneering researchers on job burnout and has written numerous articles and books, including The Truth About Burnout, and has developed the leading research measures. Currently, she is the founding co-editor of the e-journal, Burnout Research.   

     

  • Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Ph.D.

    Emiliana Simon-Thomas is the science director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. A neuroscientist who earned her doctorate from UC Berkeley, her research has explored the neuro-biological roots of pro-social emotion and behavior, as well as the psychosocial benefits of emotional authenticity and connection. A gifted teacher, Simon-Thomas has presented on the science of happiness and compassion to the Dalai Lama and audiences worldwide.

  • Elizabeth Bromley, M.D., Ph.D.

    Elizabeth Bromley is a psychiatrist and anthropologist who earned her M.D. and M.A. in the history of health sciences from UCSF and a Ph.D. in anthropology from UCLA.  Since 2004, Dr. Bromley has been an attending psychiatrist on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team at the West Los Angeles VA. Her current research focuses on research ethics, mental health stigma, and physician wellness.  

Attendees Will Be Able to: 
•    Describe the scientific definition of burnout
•    Identify key symptoms of burnout, psychologically and biologically, within individuals
•    Explain the scientific perspective on the sources of burnout 
•    Identify strategies for guarding against burnout on an individual and structural level 

International House is on the University of California, Berkeley campus at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Bancroft Way, adjacent to the stadium. Address: 2299 Piedmont Avenue Berkeley, CA 94720. 

By Car
Parking around the International House (I-House) and the UC Berkeley campus can be difficult. In non-metered areas, parking is free for two hours and unregulated after 7 pm. Meters are free with a California disabled placard. If you do drive, here are several public parking lots within a few blocks of the I-House.


Parking
Parking on the UC Berkeley campus is challenging. Street parking at meters is free after 6 pm. In non-metered areas, parking is free for two hours and unregulated after 7 pm. Meters are free with a California disabled placard.


1. UNDERHILL LOT: Located at the corner of Channing and College, this lot is a 5-10 minute walk from I-House.
2. TELEGRAPH CHANNING GARAGE: One-half block west of Telegraph Avenue, with entrances on both Durant Avenue and Channing Way. A 15-minute walk to I-House uphill.
3. BOALT LAW SCHOOL LOT: The closest public parking to I-House. From Hearst Ave., turn right on Gayley. Immediately past the Haas Business School, turn right and then left into the lot.
4. KROEBER LOT (Tennis Courts)
This is also close to I-House but more expensive. Located on Bancroft, west of College Ave
5. LOWER HEARST STRUCTURE LOT: Located at the corner of Hearst and Euclid. A 15-20 minute walk to I-House.
6. UNIVERSITY HALL WEST LOT: Located on Addison between Oxford and Shattuck. A 20-25 minute walk to I-House uphill. 


There is also on-street parking on Piedmont Avenue and the other streets around the I-House, some with blue disabled zones, meters and some non-metered. In non-metered areas, parking is free for two hours. (There will be breaks in the program every 60-90 minutes, during which time attendees can even exchange parking spots with one another.) If you plan to look for on-street parking, you may want to add a few minutes to your estimated travel time.


For UC Berkeley parking Information, call (510) 642-4283 or visit http://pt.berkeley.edu/parking/visitor/lots.

Public Transit
Parking around the International House can be difficult, so we encourage you to take public transportation whenever possible to avoid parking fines and ease traffic congestion. Some services require exact fare only (e.g., AC Transit Buses and Campus Shuttle Service). BART and AC Transit buses are used jointly by commuters to come to campus.

BART
BART trains operate from Fremont, Richmond, Pittsburg and Millbrae. A map indicating the route and stops of each train is located at each station. The Berkeley BART station is just 1-1/2 blocks from the Berkeley campus. There are shuttles that run from the BART to the International House. Click here for more information on taking public transportation to the I-House. (Please note that the shuttle pick-up near BART is on Shattuck Ave, between Center and Addison Streets.)

Get off at the "Downtown Berkeley" station. The campus shuttle from Downtown Berkeley is located across from BART at Center & Shattuck, in front of Bank of America. The bus stops in front of the I-House.

Note: walking from the Berkeley BART station to I-House will take 20-25 minutes up a moderate hill. 

AC Transit
AC Transit  bus service provides transportation for commuters to and from San Francisco and throughout Alameda and Western Contra Costa County. There are several AC bus lines that come near the campus area.

Airports
The Oakland Airport is approximately 15 miles from UC Berkeley. A new BART train links the airport to the Coliseum BART station.

San Francisco Airport: Check the ground transport section of the SF airport homepage for directions to Berkeley. Also, see the convenient BART line to the airport.

Other Transit Links
511.org (Traffic conditions and regional transportation options)
Bayporter Express (airport shuttle service)
SF MTA (San Francisco Buses)
Caltrain (Commuter train service from San Francisco and San Jose)

Co-sponsored by R. Cassidy Seminars


Approved for 6 CE Hours

Satisfactory Completion
Participants must have paid tuition fee, signed in, attended the entire seminar, completed an evaluation, and signed out in order to receive a certificate. Failure to sign in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available.

Chemical Dependency Counselors 
CA: Provider approved by CCAPP. CCAPP Provider #4N-00-434-0218 for (6) CEHs. CCAPP is an ICRC member which has reciprocity with most ICRC member states
TX: Provider approved by the TCBAP Standards Committee, Provider No. 1749-06, (6) hours general. Expires 3/31/2017.  Complaints about provider or workshop content may be directed to the TCBAP Standards Committee, 1005 Congress Avenue, Ste. 460, Austin, Texas 78701, Fax Number (512) 476-7297.

Counselors/Marriage and Family Therapists 
CA: The Board of Behavioral Sciences has deferred CE course approvals to APA and ASWB for its licensees. See those approvals under Psychologists and Social Workers.
Other States: If your state is not specifically listed, nearly all state Counselor and MFT boards accept either APA or ASWB approval, or are reciprocal with other state licensing board approvals, such as those listed below. Check with your board to be sure. The Ohio Board includes Counselors and MFTs.
IL: Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation, Approved Continuing Education Sponsor, #168-000141.  (6) hours.
NY-LMHCs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0015. (6) contact hours.

NY-LMFTs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0011. (6) contact hours.

OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for (6) clock hours, #RCST110701
TX: Approved CE Sponsor through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists. Provider #151 6 CE hours.

Creative Arts Therapists
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0005. (6) contact hours

Educators
TX: R. Cassidy Seminars is an approved provider with the Texas Education Agency CPE# 501456. This course is (6) CE Hours.

Nurses
CA: Provider approved by the CA Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CeP12224, for (6) contact hours

Occupational Therapists
R. Cassidy Seminars is an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Approved Provider No. 6782. This course is offered for (6) CE Clock Hours (1 Clock Hour = .1 AOTA CEUs). The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Psychologists 
R. Cassidy Seminars is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education for psychologists.  R. Cassidy Seminars maintains responsibility for this program. c CE hours

Psychoanalysts
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts. #P-0005. (6) clock hours.

Social Workers 
R. Cassidy Seminars, ACE provider #1082, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Program. R. Cassidy Seminars maintains responsibility for the program. Approval Period: April 15, 2015-April 15, 2018. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this course will receive 6 continuing education clock hours. 
CA: The Board of Behavioral Sciences has deferred CE course approvals to APA and ASWB for its licensees. See those approvals under Psychologists and Social Workers 
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider (#0006) of continuing education for licensed social workers. This program is approved for 6 contact hours live
OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for (6) clock hours, #RCST110701

Cancellation Policy
Refund (minus $25 administrative fee) when canceling prior to 7 days before workshop. No refund within 7 days of the seminar.

Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.

Disability Access: If you require ADA accommodations please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.

If you can’t make it to the San Francisco Bay Area, never fear: This event will be webcast live!

With the webcast, you’ll watch real-time video of the event, including slides, be able to submit questions to the presenter online, and receive CE credits—all from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere with a hard-wired Internet connection.

You will be emailed prior to the event with course materials and a login and password for the webcast.

Please see the registration page for more details about the webcast.

Alt placeholder

Subscribe to our free e-newsletters