New York, NY – 2025 Burnout in the social work field is no longer an epidemic in silence. Dr. Mary Powell, a veteran clinical social worker and psychoanalyst, injects much-needed perspective into a complicated concern in her newest academic offering, Burnout in Social Work Field Education: Mitigating the Risk. The Springer-published book is already being recognized by educators, students, and mental health professionals alike for its timeliness and rigor.
Although the social work profession is so heavily based in both service and compassion, it tends to take its toll on those going into the field especially students who go through their initial fieldwork. Dr. Powell’s book is the first known scholarly text to focus specifically on burnout potential among Master of Social Work (MSW) students engaged in clinical field placements. Drawing from her award-winning dissertation and supported by co-author and educational researcher Dr. Linda Riggs Mayfield, this concise but powerful book introduces actionable solutions to a long-ignored problem.
“In our efforts to care for clients, we’ve neglected the student experience,” says Dr. Powell. “Burnout doesn’t start after graduation it often begins during field placements when students are asked to take on professional responsibilities with limited clarity and support.”
At the center of the book is the idea of role ambiguity a key, under-explored cause of burnout among social work students. Dr. Powell discusses how ambiguous expectations, inconsistent supervision, and emotional overload in fieldwork undermine students’ well-being and academic performance. The book also differentiates between emotion-focused and problem-focused coping mechanisms, presenting actionable self-care strategies based on new research.
The book is not simply an academic text but also a very personal one. Dr. Powell’s inspiration sprang from her own work in outpatient clinics and her long-standing passion for training the next generation of social workers. “I recall taking the express bus into Manhattan when I was getting my PhD and understanding we weren’t discussing burnout enough,” she recalls. “This book is the culmination of years of research, contemplation, and genuine intent to foster change.”
Burnout in Social Work Field Education is a tool intended for a wide range of users: social work students, teachers, field instructors, and agency administrators. It provides both a sobering diagnosis and an optimistic treatment regimen.
“Dr. Powell’s research shines a spotlight on the pressing need for systemic transformation,” says Dr. Mayfield. “We cannot continue to put the weight of self-care on the shoulders of students alone. Institutions and agencies also have a responsibility to step up.”
Available in print and e-book format, the book is already finding its way into university classrooms and being suggested for continuing education courses. It is a clarion call to a new pedagogical norm one that places student well-being alongside academic achievement.
To learn more or to order a copy, visit: Amazon Book Page
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
ISBN: 978-3-031-45921-4 (Print), 978-3-031-45922-1 (eBook)
Contact for Press Inquiries:
Dr. Mary Powell
Book Available: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
