Social Work Appreciation Month in St. Louis, Missouri: Honoring the Heart of the Work
It’s social work appreciation month, and at Bud to Bloom Play Therapy we truly APPRECIATE social workers. As a social worker myself, I know firsthand the incredible and wide-ranging work that social workers do every day — and I want to take the time to say thank you!
If you’re a social worker in St. Louis, Missouri (or anywhere, really), you know that while this work can be deeply meaningful, it can be really, really hard. At times it can feel draining, overwhelming, and lead to burnout.
At our practice, we’re always discussing and reimagining self-care, sustainable practice policies that support therapist wellbeing, and bringing more support to the broader play therapist community in St. Louis. This month in particular, we want to share some real ways to reduce burnout and build a practice that actually supports you long-term — not just your clients.
The Reality of Social Work Burnout (And Why It Matters)
Let’s start with something many of us already know but don’t always say out loud: the system is broken.
Too often, the newest social workers — the ones who need the most support — are placed in the most challenging roles. That was true for me, and it’s true for many of my colleagues here in St. Louis and beyond. First jobs often come with high-crisis clients, complex cases, and limited support.
That combination can be overwhelming, especially early in your career when you’ve had the least training. Many agencies also don’t provide enough supervision, manageable caseloads, or ongoing education. The result? Fast burnout.
Research shows nearly 70,000 social workers leave the field each year due to burnout or career changes.
And honestly, it makes sense.
This work comes with secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and emotional weight that doesn't just disappear at the end of the day. Without strong systems in place and adequate pay and support, social workers are left to carry too much, too often, for too long.
Building a Better Practice: What We’re Doing at Bud to Bloom in St. Louis
Bud to Bloom Play Therapywas born from burnout.
I knew I wanted to create something different here in St. Louis, Missouri — a space that values clinician wellbeing just as much as client care.
That looks like:
Lower caseloads
Meaningful benefits
Onsite learning opportunities
Regular case consultation
Supportiveplay therapy supervision
It’s not perfect, and we are always growing. But we’re committed to building a workplace where clinicians feel supported, valued, and able to sustain this work long-term.
Because the truth is: while we wait for larger systems to change (and they need to), we also need spaces that actively support social workers right now.
Self-Care Beyond a Bubble Bath: Real Ways to Reduce Burnout
Let’s be honest: self-care advice like “Take a bubble bath” or “go on a vacation” can feel…out of touch.
You deserve support that actually helps.
Here are a few ways to care for yourself that go deeper and can be built into your real, everyday work life.
Acknowledge your Work is Hard
This may sound simple, but it matters.
During tough days, it’s easy to push our own feelings down and keep going to see and support the next client. Over time, that can lead to compassion fatigue and emotional exhaustion.
Instead, give yourself permission to feel what comes up, whether it’s sadness, frustration, disappointment, or self-doubt.
Just like we encourage our clients to express emotions so they can move through them — we need to do the same.
This might look like:
A quick check-in with yourself between sessions
Talking with a trusted colleague
Taking five minutes to name what you’re feeling
Acknowledging the weight of the work helps prevent it from building up over time.
Reconnecting with your “Why” as a Social Worker
Yes, it sounds a little cliche to talk about your “why,” but feeling that our work is impactful really helps with preventing burnout. When we allow ourselves to feel the hard and the great, we make space for moments of connection, growth, and impact.
Ask yourself:
What brought me to this field?
What has kept me in this field?
Where do I still see impact, even in small ways?
At our St. Louis play therapy office, we keep client thank-you notes and cards visible (but de-identified). It’s a simple but powerful reminder of the differences we make every day.
If you’re in a high-crisis setting where progress may be slower and less noticeable, this can be harder, but even more important.
Try:
Weekly peer check-ins to reflect on small wins
Peer consultation to help you see progress you might miss
Taking time to process cases more deeply
Feeling prepared and supported in your work can make a huge difference in how effective and energized you feel.
Finding Support and Continuing Education in St. Louis, Missouri
Support and education aren’t extras — they’re essential to effective work!
When you feel unsure in your work, it can quickly turn into thoughts like:
Is this working?
Am I helping?
Does this even matter?
That uncertainty can be a fast track to burnout.
One of the best ways to counter that is to keep learning and growing. Think about:
A skill you may want to deepen
A modality you’ve been curious about (check out our blog on Theraplay!)
A training you’ve been putting off
Even small steps, like watching a video or reading a new book, can help you feel more confident and re-engaged.
And when learning feels exciting again, work often does, too.
You Deserve Support — This Month and Every Month
Please take care of yourself this Social Work Appreciation Month (and beyond!). We don’t want to lose your talent, your care, or your dedication to this field. Your work matters deeply.
(And also, if this work no longer feels like the right fit for you, that’s okay, too! You deserve to do what supports your wellbeing.)
At Bud to Bloom Play Therapy in St. Louis, we believe self-care shouldn’t be something you only do at home. It can and should be built into your workday, workplace, and professional development.
Explore Play Therapy Trainings in St. Louis, Missouri
If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or just ready to feel more confident and energized in your work, additional training can make a real difference.
Our play therapy trainings are designed for social workers and therapists who want:
Practical hands-on skills
Supportive learning environments
Approaches you can use right away
A renewed sense of excitement about your work
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your play therapy practice, we’d love to support you. Learn from and alongside our play-based therapists, and grow your confidence. As a thank you, all social workers can use the code SOCIALWORK for 20% off any of our play therapy trainings through the end of March.
Author: Jasmine Berger
St. Louis-based play therapist for children and families.
