Abstract
The purpose of this research was to analyze the causes of burnout in the field of social work and determine which interventions successfully decrease burnout among social workers. This study uses qualitative content analysis to explore the perspectives of social workers and supervisors on what causes social workers to experience burnout, as well as the most effective strategies for preventing and treating burnout. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to interview four social workers and four social work supervisors in the Sacramento County area who work with clients living with mental health issues, and three themes emerged which contribute to the knowledge of best prevention and treatment practices for social worker burnout. These themes included boundaries, self-care, and communication. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.