Date of Award
2026
Degree Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education
Committee Chair
Dr. Ashley Carey
2nd Reader
Dr. Kathleen Wallace
3rd Reader
Dr. Gail Duffy
Abstract
Burnout is a significant challenge for many in the helping professions, particularly those who support others to create positive change. One field where this is acutely felt is education-related occupations. While research has examined how stress impacts teachers, less is known about how burnout affects mental health providers working in schools. These professionals face increased challenges, including role confusion, limited control over workloads, and empathy burnout. This Intervention Science Dissertation in Practice employs a mixed-methods design to address burnout among school-based mental health providers by creating a community of practice (CoP). The CoP incorporated the sense of coherence and socio-ecological frameworks to reduce burnout while increasing connection and joy. Findings indicated providers valued the community and connection; however, no change was observed in self-reported burnout ratings. Results highlight the difficulty of reducing burnout without organizational and policy-level change, while also suggesting positive trends through peer collaboration and reclaiming joy. Implications for future research include iterative refinement of the CoP and replication within this district and beyond.
Recommended Citation
Calapai, J. (2026). Helping the helpers: Addressing burnout in mental health providers in schools [Doctoral dissertation, Sacred Heart University]. https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/edd/78/
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Comments
Presented to the Faculty of Sacred Heart University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education