Counselling for burnout and life transitions in Nova Scotia

Burnout: when rest doesn't fix it

Burnout tends to creep up. You keep going because people are counting on you, or because stopping doesn't feel like an option. Then one day a weekend off doesn't help anymore. You feel flat, cynical, or detached from work you used to care about. Small tasks feel huge. You might be short with the people you love and then feel guilty about it.

Signs of burnout can include:

• Exhaustion that sleep and time off don't seem to touch

• Feeling detached, numb, or cynical about work or caregiving

• Struggling to concentrate, or forgetting things more than usual

• Headaches, getting sick often, or tension you carry in your body

• A sense that you're never doing enough, no matter how much you do

Burnout isn't a personal failing. It's usually a sign that the demands on you have outweighed your resources for too long. Counselling can help you understand how you got here, what you need, and what realistically needs to change.

Life transitions: new chapters, mixed feelings

Change is hard, even good change. A move, a new job, finishing school, a breakup, becoming a parent, retirement, or a loss can all shake up your sense of who you are and where you're going. It's common to feel excited and grieving at the same time, or to wonder why you're struggling with something you chose.

• Moving to a new city or country

• Starting, changing, or losing a job or career

• Graduating, or not knowing what to do next

• The end of a relationship

• Changes in family, health, or identity

How I work with burnout and change

We'll start by making space for how things actually are, without pressure to be further along. From there, I draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you get clear on your values, notice the rules and expectations that are driving you, and take practical steps that fit the life you want, rather than the one you think you should want. Person-centred therapy keeps the focus on you and your own sense of direction.

That might mean setting boundaries at work, rethinking a career path, grieving what's been lost, or slowly rebuilding energy and enjoyment. If anxiety is part of the picture, you might also like my page on anxiety and overthinking. If your transition involves moving to Canada, see counselling for newcomers and immigrants.

Other ways I can help