Theraphy Approach
Burnout and work-related stress
Restoring balance and resilience in an overwhelming world — compassionate, evidence-based support for chronic exhaustion and the cycle of overwhelm
"Burnout isn't a personal failing — it's a signal that something needs to change. Together, we can help you reclaim your energy, set meaningful boundaries, and rediscover what truly matters."
— Carolyn Stevenson
Understanding Stress & Burnout
Burnout is more than just feeling tired. It’s a state of chronic exhaustion — emotional, physical, and mental — that develops when prolonged stress goes unaddressed. The cycle of overwhelm can creep up slowly, until one day you realise you have nothing left to give.
Whether you’re a high-achiever who has pushed yourself past your limits, a caregiver who has neglected your own needs, or someone caught in relentless modern life pressures, burnout is a very real and valid experience — not a weakness.
I offer a grounded, permission-giving space where we can gently explore what has brought you to this point, and work together to rebuild your energy, reclaim your sense of self, and create a more sustainable way of living.
Common Signs of Burnout
- Emotional exhaustion & depletion
- Chronic fatigue despite rest
- Persistent headaches or body tension
- Irritability or emotional numbness
- Dreading each new day
- Cynicism or detachment from work
- Reduced sense of accomplishment
- Difficulty concentrating or deciding
- Withdrawing from people you love
- Feeling like you're running on empty
You are allowed to rest
Burnout affects people across all walks of life. Recognising it and seeking support is not giving up — it is the first, most courageous step toward recovery.
Types of Stress & Burnout I Work With
Workplace Stress
Relentless deadlines, toxic environments, role overload, or lack of recognition — when work begins to consume every part of your life and wellbeing.
Caregiver Burnout
The deep exhaustion that comes from consistently putting others' needs before your own — whether caring for a child, parent, or loved one with complex needs.
Academic Pressure
The crushing weight of exams, performance expectations, and competition — leaving students and academics feeling depleted, anxious, and unable to cope.
Chronic Life Stress
Financial pressures, relationship difficulties, health challenges, or ongoing life instability that accumulate over time into a state of chronic exhaustion.
High-Performer & Perfectionism
When drive and ambition tip into relentless self-pressure — the high-achiever who cannot stop, slow down, or feel that anything is ever quite enough.
Compassion Fatigue
Common in helping professions — nurses, therapists, teachers, social workers — where absorbing others' pain leads to emotional numbness and deep depletion.
My Approach to Stress & Burnout Therapy
I draw on an integrative, evidence-based framework — always tailored to you as an individual. Recovery from burnout isn't about pushing harder; it's about learning to work with yourself rather than against yourself.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Identifying the thought patterns and beliefs that drive overwork and people-pleasing — and building the cognitive tools to set healthy, sustainable boundaries.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Building psychological flexibility — learning to relate differently to anxious thoughts rather than fighting or avoiding them.
Somatic & Body-Based Approaches
Working directly with the nervous system — using breath, body awareness, and grounding practices to help your system shift out of chronic stress and into genuine rest.
Psychodynamic Exploration
Understanding the deeper roots of burnout — the early experiences, identity beliefs, and relational patterns that make it so hard to stop, say no, or put yourself first.
What to Expect
Recovery from burnout is a gradual, collaborative journey. Here’s how we’ll work together from your very first contact.
Free Consultation
A 15-minute phone call to discuss your situation, answer questions, and ensure we're a good fit before committing to anything.
Initial Assessment
Your first session is a gentle exploration — understanding your history, what has been happening, and what a life with more balance might look like for you.
Tailored Treatment
Together we'll create a personalised recovery plan drawing on the most relevant therapeutic approaches for your specific burnout experience and life context.
Ongoing Support
Regular sessions to rebuild resilience, develop sustainable habits, and adapt the approach as you grow. We review regularly to ensure therapy is working.
50 min
Standard session length
Weekly
Recommended frequency
8–20
Typical number of sessions
What You Can Achieve
Reclaimed energy and vitality
Breaking free from the cycle of overwhelm and chronic exhaustion to feel genuinely rested and restored.
Healthier boundaries with work and others
Developing the confidence and tools to say no, delegate, and protect your time and energy without guilt.
A regulated, calmer nervous system
Learning to shift out of survival mode and into genuine rest — so your body can begin to truly recover.
Renewed sense of purpose and meaning
Reconnecting with what genuinely matters to you — beyond achievement, productivity, and external validation.
Improved sleep and physical wellbeing
As stress reduces, sleep deepens and physical symptoms like headaches, tension, and fatigue begin to ease.
Client Experiences
Why Work With Carolyn?
BACP Accredited Psychotherapist
Fully accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, adhering to the highest ethical standards.
Specialist Burnout & Stress Training
Advanced training in CBT, ACT, somatic approaches, and trauma-informed care specifically for stress, burnout, and nervous system recovery.
10+ Years Experience
Extensive experience working with anxiety across NHS, private practice, and charitable sector settings.
Regular Supervision & CPD
Committed to ongoing professional development and regular supervision to ensure the highest quality care.
10+
Years Experience
500+
Clients Supported
BACP
Accredited Member
Frequently Asked Questions
"You don't have to have completely collapsed to deserve support. If you're running on empty, that is enough of a reason to reach out."
— Carolyn Stevenson
How do I know if I'm burnt out or just tired?
Tiredness resolves with rest — burnout doesn’t. If you feel chronically exhausted, emotionally detached, or like no amount of sleep makes a difference, these are signs that something deeper is at play. Therapy can help you understand what’s happening.
Do I need to still be working to come to therapy?
How long does recovery from burnout take?
Will therapy just tell me to quit my job?
Do you offer online sessions?
Related Therapy Areas
Stress & Burnout
Overwhelm, exhaustion, and the pressure of modern life
Depression Counselling
Low mood, hopelessness, and loss of interest in life
Trauma Therapy
Processing difficult past experiences and their lasting impact
Relationship Therapy
Attachment anxiety and relational patterns
Ready to Reclaim Your Energy?
Serving clients in Hertfordshire, North London, and across the UK online