Burnout

I help adults who feel trapped and worn down by the demands they are trying to keep up with.

A man sitting at a desk in Chicago with his head resting in his hands, appearing stressed or exhausted, with a laptop, glasses, notebooks, and a pen on the desk.

Burnout can build over time, often from ongoing personal or professional demands

You might notice:

  • Sleep: poor or restless sleep, or feeling fatigued regardless of how much you rest

  • Irritability: feeling more easily frustrated, angry, or resentful

  • Low mood: a lack of positive emotions, or feeling flat even in moments that should feel good

  • Hopelessness: feeling stuck or not seeing a clear way out

  • Coping: relying more on alcohol, substances, or food to get through

  • Imbalance: Prioritizing the needs of others over your own

Work Burnout: Signs, Causes, and How to Reclaim Your Energy

How Therapy Can Help With Burnout:

Burnout often develops gradually, especially when you have been carrying a lot for a long time.

Part of therapy is slowing things down and taking a closer look at the roles and responsibilities you are in, and the pressure that comes with them. This can include underlying feelings like fear of change, uncertainty, or a sense that you cannot step back even though you feel worn down.

We also look at how your identity may be tied to these roles, and what it means to begin separating your sense of self from what you do or what is expected of you.

From there, we can start to figure out what needs to shift. This might include setting boundaries in a way that feels more manageable, or making small adjustments that reduce some of the pressure you have been under. Over time, this can help things feel less stuck and a bit more workable.

  • Stress tends to come and go. Burnout usually builds over time and feels more constant. It often shows up as ongoing exhaustion, irritability, or a sense of feeling stuck rather than just overwhelmed in the short-term.

  • This is often the reality. The focus in therapy is not always on making big changes right away, but on understanding what is contributing to the burnout and finding ways to adjust things so they feel more manageable.

  • Sometimes the situation itself cannot be changed right away. That can make burnout feel even more stuck.

    Even so, it can be helpful to look at ways of managing the stress that feel more sustainable for you.

If you are thinking about starting therapy, feel free to reach out.

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