Suzie Chick

Burnout sucks. We can feel completely lost and confused. We can often feel like we’re trapped in a thick fog, unable to find a way out, not knowing what to do next. The skills and qualities which we previously relied upon to get us out of trouble are no longer working as they should. In fact they only seem to make matters worse. Burnout definitely sucks (and as someone who’s been there, I know).

Burnout, in a nutshell, is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet the daily demands of life. Burnout is defined by three characteristics; exhaustion, cynicism and ineffectiveness. In other words, burnout is not just when we feel extremely tired, but also when we experience a loss of meaning, engagement and productivity in our lives.  Key symptoms of burnout include chronic fatigue, insomnia, increased irritability, feeling overwhelmed and impaired concentration (to name but a few).

The term was first coined in the 1970’s to describe the consequence of chronic stress mixed with high ideals experienced by those working in the “helping professions” (doctors, social workers etc.). The unofficial definition of burnout has now greatly expanded to not just cover the workplace, but also relationships, socialising, exams, motherhood and neurodiversity. 

When we find ourselves in burnout, what can we do? Seeking supporting from a qualified therapist is a positive step towards recovery. So how can therapy help?

• Expertise and understanding – As someone who has not only helped many clients recover from burnout and studied the topic in depth, but has also experienced it myself, I can offer expertise and understanding of this condition.
• A safe space to talk – I provide a space for you to talk about what’s going on in your life. This space is for you to use as you wish. It’s free from judgement or agenda and made safe through the boundaries of my work (confidentiality, parameters of time etc.). 
• How has this happened? – Through your sessions, you will gain an understanding as to what exactly has caused the burnout. This can include personal and environmental factors. Through this exploration we will gain an insight into what you can and can’t influence going forwards. Our understanding may include making known key triggers and challenges in your life which will help develop a route to recovery. 
• Understanding ourselves – The loss of meaning in our lives experienced through burnout can be profound. In therapy we begin to understand what does matter to us. We can gain an awareness of our personalities, our needs and our values. We rebuild a sense of self, and an identity which isn’t just consumed and connected with the source of burnout (e.g. work). 
• Developing new ways of being – Now armed with understanding, knowledge and a more known sense of self, we start to develop new ways of being outside of the therapy room. These new ways can differ from person to person, but more often than not can include implementing boundaries and developing a more assertive voice. We experiment with different ideas between us. As your therapist , I will always suggest baby steps to start with. With small changes, we begin to feel more confident to make greater adjustments. 
• A return to joy – As part of your recovery, I am big advocate to introducing more fun and play in our lives. Returning to old passions and interests or developing new ones is a great way of getting to know ourselves better and letting us experience some much needed joy in our lives. 

You do not need to suffer with burnout alone. Recovery is absolutely possible. You can live a more meaningful and balanced life. Help is at hand. Taking that first step in making contact is the start of your recovery.