Deciding to leave counseling after diagnosis
Hi all - I am a 36F who was diagnosed with level 1 autism this month. I have always highly suspected ADHD but hadn't given much thought to having autism. Due to another intense onset of burnout and disconnection at work (happens every few months since entering the field 8 years ago), comments on my "flatness" from my partner, and thinking back to instances growing up where I felt different and unable to connect with others, I decided to get assessed. The diagnosis came with initial relief from intense feelings of shame from thinking of myself as an uncaring or "cold" person even though I know deep down I care very much for others. It also provided insight into why I feel burnt out as a therapist so often. Not only is being a therapist emotionally taxing, but I feel a constant need to mask, struggle with the "open-endedness" of therapy, the fact that success for my clients depends more on their utilization of our work versus how much energy I put into it, as well as the lack of structure psychotherapy provides. I find myself dreaming of a job that provides novelty and complexity, while providing a structured framework to work off of so that my energy isn't being depleted from figuring out what to do next. I do love parts of being a therapist, but the amount of direct client care needed to make a living is not sustainable for me, and I feel that my recent diagnosis gave me the final push to leave. I feel guilt and disappointment in myself for not being able to make it work but also feel hopeful that I can transition to something that allows me to live a more peaceful life.
If anyone can identify with these feelings or has any input on how to transition to a role that can utilize our skills but provides more structure in an a+b=c kind of way, that would be greatly appreciated.
Posted Jul 29, 2026, 1:11 PM UTC