In a study of 175 therapists, 81% reported muscle tension, 72% experienced sleepiness, and 43% had headaches as forms of bodycentred countertransference during client sessions.
Let’s set the scene
You finish a long day of sessions. You’ve barely moved. Your shoulders ache. Your jaw is tight. There’s a dull pressure behind your eyes. Maybe your stomach’s off, or your sleep has been shallow. You tell yourself it’s nothing, just tiredness...
What’s really going on
Physical pain is often the body’s response to emotional strain left unspoken. For therapists, hours of deep listening, holding space, and softening reactions can lead to chronic tension. You absorb what others release. Your nervous system stays switched on long after the session ends.
How this manifests itself
Short, shallow breathing
Posture folding inwards
Tightness in the jaw, aching shoulders
Headaches and eye strain
We’re not just for your clients. We’re for you, too.
Insight Timer is the world’s largest free mental health app, used by 3 million people a month.
We have over 20,000 wellbeing experts who share 350,000 free tools to support your daily wellbeing. Our mission is simple: to give everyone access to free mental health support.
Join For Free
How can we help?
Pain often lingers when the body feels unseen or unheard. Rather than bracing against it or trying to push it away, these simple practices to help you come back into a gentle relationship with your body.
Here are 5 tracks that can help.
1
2
3
4
5
Physical Pain
Build Insight Timer into your day
Reset between sessions with gentle stretching, shaking, and stillness to release accumulated tension
Use short desk-friendly practices to ease neck, shoulder, and spine tightness — without leaving your chair
Soften jaw and facial tension to shift from high-alert into ease, especially after emotionally charged sessions
Break up sedentary days with mindful walking to process emotion and reconnect with your body
Relieve screen fatigue with simple eye exercises that reduce strain and refresh your focus
Don’t overlook your own wellbeing.
Taking care of yourself isn’t separate from your job as a mental health professional. It’s what allows you to truly be there for your clients.
If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger - don’t use this site. Use these resources