Burnout

Prior to working in the helping profession as a counselor, I worked as a special education teacher. I experienced burnout and compassion fatigue while working in this field. But, when I pursued my counseling degree and launched into this profession, I began exploring theories and resources that encouraged self-care. I have since advocated and supported women in various professions and life experiences providing a safe space to talk and where they can be encouraged on their journey of healing.

Burnout is often associated with prolonged stress in the workplace, but I apply this term also to relationships, personal goals, school & burnout related to neurodiversity & sensory burnout. Once one is in burnout we feel emotionally unwell, psychologically stuck & physically exhausted. It is challenging to find our way out once we are at this point. I help clients to acknowledge burnout & begin to address stress & the build-up of prolonged stress or exposure to toxic environments.

I have helped numerous clients find peace again in their lives after experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue. By finding methods of working through these issues such as mindfulness practices, self-compassion and various other methods of identifying self-care plans, and identifying work-life balance, I can help you get your life back on track again and rediscover a whole new quality to life!

Although it can be difficult to choose to focus on yourself, activists, campaign, and front line relief workers report commonly experiencing frustration, anger, and burnout. As you grow and discover your understanding of the world and your passion for improving it, you may have reached a point where you run out of steam. I am here to offer you a safe space to process your story, discuss your anger, and grieve the losses.

Burnout can lead you to feel like you’re constantly treading water. You’re trying so hard, yet continue to feel stuck & exhausted. I’m here to help you find relief from burnout & build strategies to support yourself from getting stuck there in the future.

I’m dedicated to supporting those who spend their careers helping others, with extensive experience treating healthcare workers, mental and behavioral health providers, social workers, and other helping professionals. Burnout has become so common that it’s often seen as unavoidable and even accepted as part of the job. While many assume it only affects mid- or late-career professionals, research shows that those just starting out are actually at the highest risk.

Many of my clients live or work in highly stressful environments. For example, they may have careers in helping professions or in the corporate world.

Burnout is closely related to Vicarious Trauma, and is a common experience among those in the helping professions (health care workers, mental health providers, teachers, etc). Taking care of ourselves can feel difficult or impossible when we are working in systems that do not prioritize wellbeing and often actively hurt. I have many years of experience working in such systems and supporting other therapists/helpers as they navigate their own experiences, through both supervision and therapy.

So often the patterns we developed to survive or thrive as kids can lead to outcomes in our adult lives where we are giving too much or in directions that aren't feeding us. The demands of the world are large in this hectic digital age. It can all use more energy that we have. I help people identify who they are and how they can align their life to be an embodiment of themselves. Finding where our boundaries need to be and healing the patterns that keep us from being able to holding them there.

Burnout is a symptom of moral distress and moral injury that arise when workplace systemic issues force us into compromising our personal and professional values. Self-care is not the answer. Self-compassion allows us to recover, practice healthy boundaires and advocate for systemic change.

Ever feel like everything is just too much? Not getting as much done as you used to? Nothing feels worth it anymore? You may be experiencing burnout. Recognizing what's happening is a critical first step, and then working on balancing work and life--and giving yourself permission to do that--is important. We'll also work on boundary setting and other workplace skills, as well as taking time for yourself: and therapy is that first step.

I'll help you figure out how to be resentful about work again, leave the stress of the job at the office, and be present with your partner so you can finally start to enjoy your life.

Coping with unreasonable expectations and feelings of overwhelm in the workplace; restoring energy, balance, and motivation.

I have niche experience working with medical professionals such as physicians, nurses and medical trainees and directed a program at UNMC aimed at understanding burnout.

During the pandemic I worked alongside my medical colleagues in overburdened hospital systems. I am acutely aware that healthcare providers, high achievers, caregivers and front line staff are exposed to vicarious trauma on a daily basis. Many of us feel more than simply burned out – we are experiencing moral injury. We feel listless, numb, disengaged, and drained. I understand the isolation of this experience and have both lived the experience and trained in skills to help.

In our modern, capitalist society, most of us have been taught to work hard at all cost. Sometimes the cost is our physical & mental health & the health of our relationships. I am skilled at supporting clients in allowing in the nourishment of rest, & exploring the patterns that are in the way of saying “no” setting boundaries and prioritizing your own well being. Caring for ourselves so that we participate in life in a way that’s sustainable for us takes practice.

It happens to the best of us. Whether it's work, family, kids, aging parents, struggling partners, or just existing in this world, it happens. It's not a sign of failure, a lack of empathy, or that you are a "bad" person if you just stop caring. Sometimes we need a reset. I help clients step back from their situation, reframe negative thoughts, find joy, and set boundaries

I help clients manage stress and burnout by teaching healthy coping strategies, boundary-setting, and mindfulness techniques to restore balance and well-being.