Is this you?

Coping on the outside. Running on empty underneath.
Going through the motions, and not sure when that started.
Capable at everything, and somehow not okay.
Lost yourself a bit, and missing the person you used to be.

Living in Burnout feels hard. When left unattended, symptoms can lead to feelings of helplessness, deflation and detachment from work and personal life.

How you are feeling is not your fault. You're not 'broken' or 'unhealable' or any other description you may have felt about yourself.

You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to begin. Noticing that something quietly needs attention is enough. So is a little curiosity about yourself.

Signs of burnout

Burnout is more than just a mental state; it manifests physically as well. When you consistently override your capacity and neglect, suppress, dismiss or deny your needs, it creates chronic dysregulation within your nervous system. Your body communicates the dysregulation through various physical symptoms.

Common symptoms of burnout

Chronic fatigue and lack of energy
Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
Physical symptoms: headaches and digestive issues
Emotional exhaustion and overwhelm
Reduced performance and productivity
Feeling isolated
Feelings of dissatisfaction in life
Disconnection with your body and being
Low self-esteem and confidence
Loss of sense of purpose
Strained and/or break down of relationships
Overall apathy towards living.

I have written more about the physical side in five signs your body is telling you you're burnt out.

If you have physical symptoms, please speak to your GP as well.

Recognising the signs of Burnout is the first step toward recovery.

Stress or burnout?

These days it's become common for people to use the term 'burnt out' when they're feeling stressed, however, whilst Burnout can result from prolonged periods of stress, it's not the same as stress.

Stress is dysregulation in your nervous system that tends to be short term. Whilst it can impact sleep, emotions, mood and energy, people who are stressed can still engage with activities and find motivation around their situation, and though it may feel uncomfortable for them, it doesn't exceed their personal resources and deplete them to a point where they feel hopeless and become detached.

Unlike regular stress, which fades once the stressful situation resolves, chronic stress lingers for weeks, months, or even years.

Burnout is a state of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion caused by long-term conditions of stress that exceed resources and deplete you. This means your nervous system has less and less capacity to keep you in a state of balance. As a result, it saps your energy and motivation and impacts your ability to function.

Over time it shrinks your Window of Tolerance. This is the capacity in which you are able to best function and thrive in everyday life.

How I work

I draw on a few established approaches and use whichever suits what you bring on the day.

Person-centred. You lead. I follow what you bring, at your pace, without judgement.
Somatic practice. Breath and movement to help the nervous system settle, because the body carries the story too.

Resolving Burnout involves taking small steps towards:

Unwinding the patterns and emotions underlying the dysregulation
Expanding your Window of tolerance and capacity to self-regulate
Learning to recognise and honour your personal boundaries
Developing new nourishing habits that support your mind, body and intentions for your life.

When working together, I will be integrating somatic practices into our sessions, which you then get to take with you into your life, and continue to draw upon as you move forward.

I am a Level 7 qualified integrative psychotherapist and a BACP Registered Member (MBACP, 401003), based in Reading, Berkshire and working online by Zoom with adults across the UK.

My further training includes Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), somatic therapy, therapeutic movement and purpose coaching.

All of my practice is online, so this is how I work, not a substitute for something else.

Where do I start?

Three steps, and the first is just a conversation.

1. A free 20-minute call

Twenty minutes on Zoom, for anyone curious about starting. You ask what you like, I tell you how I work, and we both see whether it feels right. Nothing to prepare, and no pressure to book.

2. Your first session

You do not need to know what to say. 'I am not really sure why I am here' is a perfectly good place to start. I guide the session. You set the pace. Whatever you bring is welcome.

3. Weekly, for as long as it serves you

Same day, same time, each week, and we go bit by bit. The steadiness is the point. We review how it is going together, and you decide when to stop.

Fees and the free 20-minute call

Therapy is an investment in time as well as money. Here is the time commitment and fees up front.

Individual therapy, 50 minutes: £105, weekly
Individual therapy, 90 minutes: £140, weekly
One-off consultation, 60 minutes: £150, for a specific issue, not crisis support
New client call, 20 minutes: Free, on Zoom, no obligation

Payment is by bank transfer. Cancellation terms are set out in the agreement you receive before your first session. No surprises later.

Why weekly? The same hour each week is what lets the work go deeper. Stability, not a rule for its own sake.

The full list, including couples therapy, is in the fees section of the home page.

You don't have to do it all alone

You don't have to resign yourself to living in burnout.

If you would like somewhere to begin in the meantime, I have written about three ways to support your recovery from burnout.

Whatever brings you here, we start where you are.

Please note this is not a crisis service. If you need urgent help, call 999 if someone's life is at risk, contact NHS 111, or call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time.

Questions about therapy for burnout

What causes burnout?

There are different circumstances that can lead to Burnout. The commonality is a build-up of dysregulation within your nervous system. Your nervous system's job is to transition in and out of dysregulation, however, it's not designed to stay in states of dysregulation for prolonged periods.

I am still coping at work. Is it serious enough for therapy?

If something is bothering you enough that you are reading this, it is serious enough to talk about. Coping on the outside while running on empty is exactly what this work is for.

I have tried so many things and nothing has worked. Does that mean I am broken?

Not every form of meditation, or nervous system hack is going to meet you where you're at and give you what you need in the moment, but it doesn't mean you're broken. Part of the resolution process is in getting to know your unique nervous system and Window of Tolerance, and finding the ways that are going to support you best.

How long does therapy for burnout take?

There is no set number of sessions. Some people come for a few months, others for longer. We review together at agreed points, so the work always has a direction, and an ending you choose.

Book a free 20-minute call (opens in a new tab)See the fees

Online therapy for burnout and chronic stress