Skip to Main Content
8
Views
4
CrossRef citations
Altmetric

Article

Burnout: Typical Racket Systems of Professional Helpers

Pages 153-158
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
Translator disclaimer

This article reviews the tendency toward burnout (the depletion of energy levels) of those in the caring professions. It is suggested that there is a correlation between the work of Ernst (1971) on scripts and life positions, Freudenberger's (1975) typologies, and further development of Erskine and Zalcman's (1979) work on racket systems. This correlation is represented by three distinct racket systems which are relevant to various predispositions to burnout in the helping professions. These three typologies, with their associated fairy story characters, are offered as a way of understanding the experience of burnout for different personality types.

Additional information

Author information

Petrūska Clarkson

Petrūska Clarkson, M.A., Ph.D., is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and practicing psychotherapist, a Certified Clinical Teaching Member of the ITAA, and director of the metanoia Psychotherapy Training Institute in London. She has served on the ITAA Board of Trustees and is currently Chairperson of the Gestalt Training Institute of Great Britain and Chair of the British Institute for the Integration of the Psychotherapies, which is affiliated with SEPI International.