Burnout

High achievers, professionals, and carers are particularly vulnerable.

Burnout can drain your energy, motivation, and sense of purpose, but therapy can help you recover balance and restore wellbeing.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is a response to chronic stress that overwhelms the body and mind. Unlike ordinary stress, which may ease with rest, burnout is characterised by prolonged exhaustion and disconnection.

It is not a sign of weakness - it’s a signal that your resources have been depleted.

Symptoms of Burnout

• Constant exhaustion that doesn’t improve with sleep

• Feeling detached, cynical, or emotionally flat

• Loss of motivation, creativity, and sense of achievement

• Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, irritability

• Sleep disturbance, headaches, digestive problems, or muscle tension

• Withdrawal from social or work commitments

How Therapy Can Help with Burnout

If you feel depleted, detached, or unable to cope despite trying to rest, therapy can help you recover from burnout and rediscover energy, clarity, and balance by:

• Identifying unhelpful patterns such as perfectionism or over-commitment

• Using CBT and ACT to address negative thinking and reconnect with values

• Supporting boundary-setting and stress management strategies

• Using Compassion-Focused Therapy to reduce self-criticism and restore self-care

• Exploring meaning, identity, and lifestyle changes to prevent relapse

Therapy provides space to reflect, recover, and make sustainable changes to support long-term wellbeing.