An industry survey raises an important question: how can therapists care for others while protecting their own wellbeing?
Therapy work can be incredibly rewarding. Providing someone with the space to just be themselves for an hour or seeing someone make progress between appointments is very good for the soul. But a fulfilling workday can also be demanding.
The Therapist Well-Being Report 2026, created by therapist and mental health campaigner Hayley Snishko in association with The Power of Touch, explores the balance and potential trade off.
As reported by Professional Beauty in July, the exploratory survey gathered anonymous responses from 159 professionals working in beauty, spa, wellness and therapeutic settings across the UK and internationally. Of the therapists surveyed, 72.3% reported having experienced burnout or overwhelm, while 89.3% had experienced physical exhaustion. But it’s important to note that at the same time, 99.4% said they felt fulfilled by their work.
The sample is small and should not be taken as representative of the whole profession. It does, however, provide a starting point for a conversation about the conditions that help therapists build sustainable careers.
Look at the whole working day
An appointment diary only tells part of the story. As FHT Members will know, around treatments time must be found for consultations, cleaning, laundry, record keeping, messages and, for some, travel between clients.
When deciding how many appointments to offer, it is worth considering all the work each booking creates. A couple of free hours in the diary can quickly be filled by admin tasks and preparing for the next client.
It might be useful to track a typical working week, including the tasks outside appointments. Does the schedule allow time to eat, take a break and finish administration within reasonable working hours? Or does the day regularly extend into the evening?
There is no single ideal number of appointments per day. Different therapies, working environments and personal circumstances place different demands on practitioners. Only you will know your personal energy levels and the demands of your day. The aim is to find a pattern that you can maintain.
Make boundaries clear before they are tested
It can be difficult to turn down an extra appointment or leave a message unanswered when you know someone is hoping for help. Clear business terms can make these decisions easier.
Published working hours, booking policies and realistic response times help clients understand what to expect. They also reduce the need to negotiate every request individually.
For example, explaining that messages are answered during business hours allows you to respond consistently without being permanently available. Leaving enough time for a consultation helps keep an appointment from overrunning before treatment has even begun.
Boundaries also apply to professional responsibilities. Listening with care is valuable, but you do not have to have an answer to every problem a client shares. Recognising the limits of your training and knowing when to suggest a different source of support are part of responsible practice.
Find space to talk with colleagues or people in your industry
Working independently or on a self-employed basis offers freedom, but it can lead to isolation, too. Working alone means there is not much opportunity to discuss the everyday challenges of practice.
A conversation with a trusted colleague can provide perspective on a difficult business decision, an awkward interaction or a concern about workload. Professional networks and learning events can also create opportunities to exchange ideas and feel connected to others doing similar work.
Any discussion of client situations should protect confidentiality. The purpose is to reflect on your own practice and seek appropriate guidance.
It may help to make these conversations a regular part of your working life, rather than waiting until a problem feels overwhelming.
Employers have a part to play
For employed therapists, wellbeing also depends on how work is organised.
Managers can review whether treatment schedules allow for preparation, breaks and record keeping. They can ask staff which parts of the day create pressure and provide a clear route for raising concerns.
Those conversations need to lead to genuine action. There is no point in encouraging staff to look after themselves if the appointment diary leaves no room to breathe.
Start with one manageable change
World Mental Health Day offers an opportunity to consider the wellbeing of the people providing care, as well as those receiving it.
You don’t need to overhaul your practice at once. Start by identifying one recurring pressure: missed breaks, late-night messages, unfinished administration or a lack of contact with colleagues. Then consider what adjustment might make it more manageable.
Therapists’ time, skills and energy deserve care and respect. Making room for that within the working day helps create a profession in which people can continue doing the work they value.
What change would make the greatest difference to your working week?
Source: Professional Beauty’s coverage of the Therapist Well-Being Report 2026, published 21 July 2026.
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