What Does Burnout Actually Feel Like?
Burnout isn't just being tired. It's when you:
- Snap at your partner, then spiral with guilt about overreacting
- Walk into the kitchen and feel instantly defeated by what needs to be done
- Say you're fine but can't remember the last time you felt like yourself
- Lie awake replaying every task you missed, every text you haven't answered
- Keep pushing because slowing down feels impossible - even though you desperately crave rest
If you're nodding along, you're not broken. You're burnt out. And there's a way through.
Read more: How to Recover From Burnout When You Can't Take Time Off (A Therapist's Guide)
Ready to talk about what's going on? Schedule your free 15-minute consultation
How Is Burnout Different From Just Being Stressed or Tired?
Stress says: "I have too much to do right now."
Burnout says: "I don't even know who I am anymore."
Burnout is what happens when you've been operating in survival mode for so long that your nervous system has adapted to chronic stress. You start to forget what rested feels like. Small moments of joy get replaced by a constant sense of pressure.
And here's what makes it tricky for high-achievers: you're still getting everything done. To the outside world, you look fine. But inside? You're running on fumes.
Learn more: Exhausted, Snappy, and Overwhelmed? It Might Be Burnout, Not You
Hi, I'm Nicole - Your Burnout Recovery Guide
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in burnout therapy for executives and high-achieving women across California and Nevada.
I know what it's like to give so much of yourself that burnout feels inevitable. As a mom of two and an empathic introvert, I've learned the hard way that you can't pour from an empty cup.
My approach isn't about "just breathe more" or "drop the ball." It's about uncovering the patterns that got you here, building new ways to care for yourself, and creating space for a life that feels like your own again.
Whether you're collapsing onto the couch with wine every night or secretly panicking about letting anyone down - I'm here to help you find relief that actually sticks.
Learn more about my approach and credentials | Schedule your free consultation
Recognize Yourself in These Patterns?
Exhausted, Snappy, and Overwhelmed? It Might Be Burnout, Not You
You're not broken—you're burnt out. Learn how burnout affects high-achieving women and how to find your way back.
Why Do I Feel Responsible for Everything? (And How to Stop)
If you're carrying everyone's emotions and can't say no, this pattern has roots. Here's how to stop.
Guilt Spiral Check-In: Why 'Feeling Bad' Doesn't Make You Wrong
Guilt doesn't mean you're doing something wrong—it often means you're doing something new.
Can You Recover From Burnout Without Quitting Your Job or Dropping Everything?
Yes. Burnout recovery isn't about abandoning your ambition or letting everyone down.
My approach is about:
✨ Uncovering the patterns that got you here (like the belief that your worth is tied to your productivity)
✨ Building new ways to care for yourself without guilt
✨ Creating space for a life that feels sustainable - where you can be reliable AND rested
Burnout therapy gives you room to feel better - more rooted, more regulated, more like the you who remembers how to laugh and trust your own decisions.
Why Do High-Achieving Women Experience Burnout So Often?
Because you're constantly managing the details, emotions, and expectations of everyone around you.
You're praised for being strong and dependable - even while you're quietly unraveling inside. And there's a story underneath it all: that your worth depends on how much you can handle.
The pattern often looks like this:
You over-function in relationships and at work
You feel responsible for everyone's emotions and outcomes
You say "yes" when you mean "no" to avoid disappointing people
You've convinced yourself rest has to be earned
Sound familiar? You're not alone.
Read: Why Do I Feel Responsible for Everything? (And How to Stop)
How Long Does It Take to Recover From Burnout?
There's no universal timeline, but genuine recovery shows up in patterns over weeks and months - not overnight.
Most of my clients attend weekly sessions and find therapy most impactful when they commit to at least fifteen sessions. From there, we adjust based on your needs and progress. Many clients stay for approximately one year.
Here's why that matters: Burnout didn't happen overnight, and your nervous system needs time to recalibrate. We're not looking for quick fixes - we're building sustainable change.
Why Hasn't Therapy Helped My Burnout Before?
You've read the books. Downloaded the apps. Maybe even done therapy before. Still, the burnout lingers.
That's because what you're up against isn't a lack of tips - it's a story. The one that says your worth is tied to your productivity.
Here, we dig into that story. We stay focused, honest, and practical, so you can finally move past the cycle of quick fixes and start seeing change that actually lasts.
Not sure if this approach is right for you? That's exactly what the free consultation is for. Let's talk and figure it out together - no pressure, no sales pitch.
My Approach: Evidence-Based Therapy for Lasting Change
As a Pasadena therapist offering online therapy across California and Nevada, I blend evidence-based practices with compassionate, real-world support.
I'm trained in:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Helps you get clear on your values and step back from self-critical thoughts
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Powerful for processing past trauma that may be feeding your burnout
Mindfulness and DBT - Practical tools for staying grounded and regulating emotions
This isn't just talk therapy - it's a holistic approach that addresses your mind, body, and relationships so the changes we make together actually last.
Common Questions About Burnout Therapy
-
You’re juggling a lot—therapy might feel like one more thing. But what if it could be the thing that helps everything else feel more manageable?
-
You’re the one others lean on. But that doesn’t mean you have to carry it all alone. Letting someone support you doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.
-
That makes sense—and it’s valid to feel wary. This time, we’ll focus on the patterns that actually led to burnout, not just the symptoms. We’ll work differently—honestly, practically, and with your real life in mind.
-
It’s not indulgent to want to feel better. It’s not selfish to want your life to feel more sustainable. It’s necessary. And you’re allowed to need support.
You don’t have to be at your breaking point to start. And you don’t have to do this alone.
Is Burnout Therapy Right For Me?
This is for you if…
✅ You’re constantly managing the details, emotions, and expectations of everyone around you.
✅ You feel one small request away from snapping—but you keep powering through.
✅ You’ve tried self-care, boundaries, and maybe even therapy—but nothing’s stuck.
✅ You want to feel calm, clear, and like yourself again—not just someone getting it all done.
✅ You’re ready to get honest about what’s not working and finally do something different.
This might not be for you if…
🚫 You’re looking for a quick fix.
🚫 You’re not ready to explore deeper patterns or shift long-standing habits.
🚫 You want someone else to change first before you're willing to make a move.
This work is honest.
It’s empowering.
And it’s designed for real women with real lives.
How Do I Know If It’s Time to Get Help for Burnout?
You might be telling yourself, “I’ll reach out when things settle down.”
But burnout often doesn’t go away on its own - it just finds sneakier ways to show up.
Over time, your nervous system adjusts to chronic stress. You start to forget what rested feels like.
Small moments of joy get replaced by a constant sense of pressure. And you begin to wonder if this stretched-thin version of you is just how life is now.
But what if it doesn’t have to be? What if therapy helped you find space to exhale again - without dropping everything or letting anyone down?
Future you is asking for relief. For permission to slow down. For space to breathe. You can keep holding it all - or you can start holding yourself too.
What Will Burnout Therapy Actually Help Me With?
Burnout therapy helps you step out of perfectionism, pressure, and the belief that rest has to be earned.
Together, we'll work on:
💫 Setting clearer boundaries that protect your energy without guilt
💫 Calming your nervous system so you're not constantly in overdrive
💫 Reconnecting with joy and presence in your day-to-day life
💫 Leading from clarity - not performance or fear
💫 Caring for yourself with the same dedication you've shown everyone else
Imagine waking up rested - not already behind.
Imagine saying "no" without spiraling into guilt.
Imagine enjoying time with your family because you're actually there - not just physically present, but emotionally available.
That's what's possible here.