Mitigating emotional exhaustion in Malaysian higher education: A single-case application of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy

Emotional exhaustion remains a critical component of occupational burnout, particularly among academicians in higher education institutions. This study explores the effectiveness of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy (CT/RT) in reducing emotional exhaustion in a female academician employed in a Malaysian private higher education institution. A single-subject A–B–A design was employed to assess both the immediate and sustained effects of the intervention, allowing repeated observation of changes in emotional exhaustion across baseline, intervention, and post-intervention phases. Quantitative data were collected through the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Educator Survey, while qualitative insights were drawn from Mental Status Examinations and session transcripts. Over the course of six structured CT/RT counseling sessions, the participant demonstrated a substantial reduction in emotional exhaustion, with emotional exhaustion scores declining from high to moderate and eventually to low. Thematic analysis revealed increased emotional insight, autonomy in coping strategies, and improvements in psychological coping and professional self-regulation. These findings underscore the utility of CT/RT in addressing emotional exhaustion and suggest its potential for broader implementation in academic settings.