Burnout & Overwhelm

Burnout often builds gradually. It can start as manageable stress and slowly turn into emotional exhaustion, irritability, disconnection, or a sense that you’re running on empty.

You may feel constantly behind, drained no matter how much rest you get, or stuck in cycles of responsibility that feel impossible to step out of. For some people, burnout is linked to work. For others, it’s caregiving, family demands, academic pressure, chronic stress, or long-term health challenges.

Counselling offers a space to slow down and understand what’s been contributing to the overwhelm, without judgment or pressure to “push through.”

Sessions are available in person in Saanich and online across British Columbia.

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Signs of Burnout

Burnout and overwhelm can show up in different ways, including:

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• Ongoing emotional or physical exhaustion

• Feeling numb, detached, or irritable

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Loss of motivation or sense of meaning

• Sleep disturbances or constant tension

• Feeling responsible for everything and everyone

• Difficulty setting boundaries or asking for help
   

Burnout is not a personal failure. It’s often a signal that something in your life needs attention.

How Counselling Can Help

In counselling, we begin by understanding what’s contributing to your sense of overload. This may include current stressors, relationship dynamics, expectations placed on you, or long-standing patterns such as people-pleasing or perfectionism.

Depending on your needs, our work may focus on:

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• Identifying and reducing sources of chronic stress

• Reconnecting with personal values and priorities

• Building emotional regulation and distress tolerance

• Developing boundaries that feel realistic and sustainable

• Exploring deeper patterns that contribute to exhaustion
   

Change doesn’t require dramatic overhauls. Counselling supports small, meaningful shifts that help restore energy and clarity over time.

What Sessions Look Like

Early sessions often focus on helping you regain a sense of steadiness and control. This may include practical strategies to reduce immediate pressure while also creating space to reflect on how burnout developed.

As therapy continues, some clients choose to explore deeper emotional or relational patterns. Others focus more on present-day coping and boundary-setting. The pace and focus are always adjusted to what feels most supportive for you.

Therapeutic Approaches

I draw from person-centred therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), adapting the focus to your situation and goals.

A Gentle Way Forward

Burnout can make it difficult to imagine change. Counselling offers a grounded, supportive place to begin, one step at a time.

If you’d like to explore whether counselling for burnout feels like a good fit, you’re welcome to book a complimentary consultation or schedule a session.