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Counseling for Burnout

Are you feeling like a battery that won’t hold its charge anymore? It might be burnout.

Many of us are all-too-familiar with the feeling of burnout — that run down, barely hanging on, run-over-by-a-truck feeling that too often goes along with our modern work lives. 

When you’re burned out, you know the status quo isn’t working and it definitely isn’t sustainable. But it’s also difficult to imagine how things can get better.

You find yourself fantasizing about quitting your job, or even finding a new career altogether, but it’s just not practical right now. And you’re too exhausted to even think about updating your CV, let alone interviewing.

Maybe you’ve already tried meditation apps, or read a self-help book, or gone to a self-care workshop at work. And it helped, a little. Especially at first. But it’s not enough. Because the situation creating burnout is still there, seemingly draining the life right out of you.

Exhausted woman in professional attire leaning against wall, with her tablet next to her on the floor

Burnout Isn’t Just About Overwork

Think of a time in your life where you were doing something that felt super challenging in a good way. What made that different from the type of challenge that causes burnout? 

Chances are, it wasn’t just long hours that made the difference. In fact, when we’re feeling excited by a project in our personal and professional lives, we may work long hours and maintain a sense of being energized and inspired. Yes, we still get tired and we need rest and breaks. But we don’t get to that place where we just can’t recharge. 

So if burnout isn’t just about working too much, what is it? Well, I’ve got good news and bad news. 

The good news is that you’re not to blame—many of the things creating burnout in our professional lives are related to modern work culture, not any personal flaw or deficit.

Dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics, lack of autonomy, poor support, and lack of clarity around expectations all contribute to burnout for employees. Some of our clients have even found themselves in workplace situations that cross the line into physical, mental, or sexual abuse, compounding burnout with trauma.

The bad news is that unless you’re in a real position of power in your organization, the issues creating burnout probably aren’t going away anytime soon. So…now what?

Black Millennial professional woman with natural hair in a gray pantsuit, holding a phone receiver. Her eyes area closed and her expression is stressed, exhausted, and burned out.

Counseling for Burnout at Stella Nova

Counseling for burnout often blends support for coping with the situation today, with help navigating towards a future where you feel more empowered, effective, and inspired.

Your therapist can help you find clarity on big decisions, learn new skills for boundary setting and communication, or manage the inner critic that’s been especially loud lately. We can help you reconnect with the goals, activities, and values that bring a spark of energy and purpose to your life. 

If you think you may be experiencing burnout, a Stella Nova therapist can help. We specialize in therapy for women and nonbinary professionals across a wide variety of industries and experiences, from students preparing to launch their careers, to folks at the top of their game, to mid-life career changers and more. Our diverse team includes therapists with different backgrounds, approaches, and expertise so that we can offer a great match for you.

Meet Stella Nova Therapists Offering Counseling for Burnout

Headshot of California online therapist Sage Swiatek, ACSW.

SAGE SWIATEK, ACSW

Navigating burnout with a disability & Women in STEM

Photo of Megan Sullivan-Tuba, San Francisco therapist. Megan is a white woman with brown hair pulled back. She is wearing glasses and red lipstick.

MEGAN SULLIVAN-TUBA, AMFT

Artists, musicians & creative professional burnout

Photo of Dr. Maya Borgueta, clinical psychologist serving San Francisco and Los Angeles. Maya is a multiracial, Filipinx therapist with long dark hair. She is wearing a bright colored necklace and a black top.

MAYA BORGUETA, PSYD

Toxic workplaces and corporate trauma

Headshot of Dr. Alexis López, a Latinx psychologist with medium length dark hair and fair complexion. She is wearing glasses and a white blouse.

ALEXIS LOPEZ, PSYD

Artists, musicians & creative professional burnout

Headshot of Dr. Justine Fan, a trans Asian American person with short hair and glasses in a red blouse.

JUSTINE FAN, PHD

Burnout support for 2nd generation immigrants & LGBTQ+

Connect with a Stella Nova Burnout Counselor, with Therapy in SF & Online Throughout California

If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again, we invite you to reach out to Stella Nova today.

We offer a free, 20-minute phone consultation where we’ll get to know a little bit about your current concerns, goals, and preferences, so that we can match you with a great-fit therapist who can help. It’s a commitment-free way to learn more about our resources and get your questions answered. (And if we can’t help, we’re always happy to refer you to someone who can.) Appointments are limited so schedule your free consultation today!

All of our clinicians offer therapy online in California, with sessions starting at $160.

A Filipinx woman working from home with a laptop on the couch. She has a slight smile on her face, eyes closed, and she is stretching overhead, as though she is taking a mindfulness or yoga break during the workday.

Are you curious about counseling for burnout or work stress?

Set up a free, 20-minute consultation to get matched with a Stella Nova therapist today!

Other Services at Stella Nova

We don’t just offer counseling for burnout and work stress! Stella Nova offers a range of services to support the mental health needs of women and nonbinary professionals, including the unique needs of women of color. We also serve couples of all genders! Learn more about online therapy for anxiety, chronic pain, trauma and more.