Podcast Episode 15: The Psychological Games People Play and How to Deal with Stress as a Therapist.
Podcast Episode 15: The Psychological Games People Play and How to Deal with Stress as a Therapist with Donovan Pyle
In the final part of our long chat with Psychotherapist Donovan Pyle, we begin to look at the games people can play in therapy.
In this section, we particularly look at how therapists can deal with this and the stress that it can lead to and what their role is in this situation.
This has been an incredible three part series and one we found very interesting as you can tell from the fact that we talked continuously!
What Our Experts Say
One of the most useful messages is that practitioners need to remain curious about what is happening within the relationship, including their own response to a session. Clear boundaries, honest conversations and shared goals can prevent the practitioner from taking responsibility for changes that only the client can make. In Pilates, our role is to guide and adapt the movement while giving clients the space to build confidence, independence and ownership of their progress.
Key Takeaways
- Therapy is a shared process – A practitioner can guide, support and provide appropriate treatment, but they cannot take complete responsibility for another person’s progress.
- Psychological games can affect the therapeutic relationship – Unhelpful patterns between a patient and therapist can distract from the original purpose of treatment and make it more difficult to move forwards.
- Feeling drained can provide useful information – A therapist’s emotional response to a session may help them recognise when boundaries are becoming unclear or when an unhelpful pattern is developing.
- It is not possible to help everyone – Recognising professional limitations is an important part of being a therapist, even when this means having an honest or difficult conversation with a patient.
- Clear goals help keep treatment focused – Agreeing what the patient wants to achieve gives therapy direction and helps both the patient and practitioner understand what they are working towards.
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FAQs
1. What is clinical supervision?
Clinical supervision gives healthcare professionals an opportunity to reflect on their work, discuss concerns and learn from challenging situations. Regular supervision may also help practitioners manage workplace pressures, including stress and burnout.
2. What are the signs of therapist burnout?
Possible signs include ongoing exhaustion, feeling detached or increasingly negative about work, and feeling less effective as a practitioner. Recognising these changes early can allow someone to seek appropriate professional or workplace support.
3. Can therapists be emotionally affected by their patients?
Yes. Listening to difficult experiences and supporting people through challenging situations can create an emotional burden. Practitioners should recognise when stress is affecting them and use appropriate support, reflection or supervision.
4. Can a physiotherapist refer me to another practitioner?
Yes. A physiotherapist should refer you to an appropriate professional when the care or support you require falls outside their knowledge, skills or professional scope of practice. This does not necessarily mean that treatment has failed; it may mean another practitioner is better placed to meet your needs.
5. What should I do if treatment feels stuck?
Speak openly with your practitioner about your concerns. Your goals, expectations and treatment plan may need to be reviewed, or a different approach may be more appropriate. Treatment goals are most useful when the practitioner and patient develop a shared understanding of what is meaningful to the patient.
Feeling Inspired?
If you want to experience the Complete difference and discover the benefits of one-to-one or small group Pilates, book a session at one of our London or Norfolk studios today. Not able to make it to one of our studios? We've got online options to suit you anywhere, anytime.
Our physiotherapist-led Chelsea Pilates studio, our Angel Pilates studio, our Pilates studio in London City, and our Norfolk Pilates studio in East Anglia, offer a highly tailored approach to your Pilates training. Whether your goal is to manage a health condition, rehabilitate from an injury or to improve your strength and fitness, Complete Pilates is the studio for you.
Education is Key
These blogs are designed to give information to everyone, however, it is important to remember that everyone is different! If you have not seen one of our therapists and have any questions about injuries, what you have read or whether this may be useful to you, please just ask. We are more than happy to help anyone and point you in the right direction. Our biggest belief is that education is key. The more you understand about your injury, illness and movement, the more you are likely to improve.
If you are not sure whether this is for you, simply get in touch. We are here to help!
Published 12 Jan 2021 · Updated 3 Aug 2026