Are You Making These 5 Common Career Transition Mistakes? (LGBTQ+ Therapists' Guide to Avoiding Burnout)

You've been staring at your computer screen for the last twenty minutes, scrolling through job postings that all look the same. The thought of another day in your current role makes your chest tight. You know you need a change, but every time you think about making a move, something holds you back.

Sound familiar?

Career transitions are challenging for any therapist, but as an LGBTQ+ professional, you're navigating additional layers of complexity. You're not just changing jobs: you're potentially reshaping how you show up in the world, how safe you feel, and how authentically you can live your truth.

The good news? Most of the mistakes that lead to burnout during career transitions are completely avoidable once you know what to look for.

Mistake #1: Carrying Internalized Stigma Into Your Transition

Here's what happens: You've spent years building expertise as a therapist, but deep down, a voice whispers that you're not qualified for that dream position. Maybe it's because you're too young, too old, too queer, or not queer enough. This isn't just imposter syndrome: it's internalized stigma wearing a professional mask.

You start applying only to "safe" positions that feel familiar, even if they're not what you want. You water down your resume, hiding parts of your identity or experience that make you unique. You settle for roles that keep you small because some part of you believes that's where you belong.

The reality check: Your identity isn't a liability: it's an asset. The therapy field desperately needs more LGBTQ+ voices, perspectives, and lived experiences. Your authenticity is your superpower, not your weakness.

What to do instead: Before you start your job search, spend time identifying and challenging the internalized messages you're carrying. Work with a coach or therapist who understands LGBTQ+ experiences. Write down your accomplishments, skills, and the unique perspective you bring to your work. When that inner critic starts talking, you'll have evidence to counter it.

Mistake #2: Going It Alone

Therapy is often a solitary profession, and many of us are used to being the helper, not the one asking for help. During a career transition, this isolation can become toxic. You're making huge decisions in a vacuum, without feedback, support, or reality-testing from people who get it.

This mistake shows up as endlessly researching options without taking action, second-guessing every decision, or feeling overwhelmed by choices. You might find yourself stuck in analysis paralysis because you're trying to figure everything out solo.

The truth: Career transitions aren't meant to be done alone. Community isn't a luxury: it's essential for your mental health and professional success.

What to do instead: Build your transition team before you need it. This might include:

• A career coach who understands LGBTQ+ experiences

• Mentors in your field or desired field

• Peers going through similar transitions

• Friends who can offer emotional support

• Professional networks or affinity groups

Don't wait until you're in crisis to reach out. Start building these relationships when you're stable, so they're there when you need them.

Mistake #3: Rushing the Process Without Self-Compassion

Burnout makes everything feel urgent. When you're exhausted and depleted, the temptation is to find the fastest exit possible. You might take the first offer that comes along, make hasty decisions, or expect yourself to have it all figured out immediately.

This rushing often comes from a place of self-criticism. You might be thinking, "I should have left months ago," or "Everyone else seems to have their career figured out." The pressure to have the perfect plan creates more stress, which feeds back into the burnout cycle.

Remember this: Healing from burnout and transitioning careers both take time. There's no timeline you need to follow except your own.

What to do instead: Practice radical self-compassion throughout your transition. Treat yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a client going through a major life change.

Set realistic expectations. Most successful career transitions take 6-18 months of planning and preparation. Give yourself permission to move at a pace that feels sustainable. Take breaks when you need them. Celebrate small wins along the way.

Mistake #4: Hiding Your Authentic Self

Maybe you've been in the closet at work, or perhaps you've been out but downplaying certain aspects of your identity. During a career transition, there's often a temptation to "play it safe" by presenting a more palatable version of yourself to potential employers.

You might avoid mentioning LGBTQ+ organizations you've been involved with, hide your pronouns from your resume, or research company cultures but avoid asking direct questions about inclusivity and belonging.

This strategy might feel safer in the short term, but it sets you up for long-term misery. If you have to hide who you are to get the job, you'll likely have to keep hiding once you're there. That's not a recipe for thriving: it's a recipe for burnout.

The framework shift: Your authenticity isn't something to manage: it's something to leverage. The right opportunities will value what makes you uniquely you.

What to do instead: Be strategic about your authenticity. Research companies thoroughly. Look at their websites, social media, and employee resource groups. Ask direct questions during interviews about their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Trust your gut about whether a workplace feels safe.

Consider this your screening process. You're not just trying to get hired: you're evaluating whether this is somewhere you want to spend 40+ hours per week.

Mistake #5: Ignoring the Emotional Weight

As therapists, we're trained to hold space for others' pain, trauma, and transformation. But during career transitions, many of us forget to tend to our own emotional processing. You might be carrying years of secondary trauma, workplace stress, or discrimination that needs attention before you can make clear decisions about your future.

This shows up as feeling emotionally numb when thinking about career options, making decisions based on fear rather than excitement, or feeling disconnected from what you actually want in your professional life.

The insight: Your career transition is also an emotional healing journey. You can't think your way through feelings that need to be processed.

What to do instead: Make emotional processing a central part of your transition plan. This might include:

• Working with your own therapist or coach

• Journaling about your career story and what patterns you notice

• Taking time to grieve what you're leaving behind

• Practicing mindfulness or somatic techniques to reconnect with your body's wisdom

• Engaging in creative activities that help you process and imagine

Don't rush past the feelings. They contain important information about what you need in your next role.

Moving Forward With Intention

Career transitions don't have to lead to burnout. When you approach them with awareness, community support, self-compassion, authenticity, and emotional attunement, they can become powerful opportunities for growth and alignment.

Remember: You're not just changing jobs. You're creating space for the therapist: and person: you're meant to be. That work is sacred, and it deserves to be honored with patience, intention, and care.

Your transition timeline is your own. Your path forward is valid. And your authentic self is exactly what the world needs.

Ready to make your next career move with confidence and clarity? You don't have to figure it out alone.