Therapy for therapists ready to move from burnout to balance

I pull from a mix of approaches including attachment theory, polyvagal theory, narrative therapy, psychodynamic ideas, and interpersonal neurobiology. Sometimes I’ll also bring in a sprinkle of CBT if it feels helpful. Everything is filtered through a neurodivergent-affirming lens, which means I’m not here to “fix” you or make you blend in better. I’m here to help you understand yourself more deeply and build a life that actually works for your brain and nervous system.

I’ve been a therapist for over 20 years, and for half of that time I worked in APA-accredited college counseling centers. Part of my role there was supervising, mentoring, and supporting other therapists. That meant not only helping with clinical skills, but also walking alongside therapists as they navigated the very human side of this work burnout, imposter feelings, boundary struggles, and the weight of carrying client stories. I know how closely our work and our lives are intertwined, and how important it is to have a space to tend to both.

That’s such a common fear. Most of us have a part of our brain that stays in therapist mode analyzing, observing, even critiquing ourselves while we talk. You don’t have to switch that part off to be here. We can name it, notice it, and still make space for the rest of you. Therapy can be the one place where you don’t have to give the help, you get to receive it.

So many therapists feel this way. You sit down and that little voice kicks in “I should already know how to handle this.” But knowing the theories isn’t the same as living through it. You don’t lose your right to support just because you’ve read the research or sat in the other chair. Therapy as a therapist is about letting yourself be human for once, not the fixer, not the professional, just a person who deserves space and care.

Burnout doesn’t usually show up as one big crash. It creeps in slowly. Maybe you feel tired no matter how much you rest. Maybe your patience is thinner than it used to be, or you catch yourself zoning out after work because you’ve got nothing left to give. The details that once came so easily start slipping through the cracks. You’re still showing up for your clients, but inside it feels like you’re running on fumes.

If you’re even asking yourself this question, it’s worth paying attention. Your nervous system is probably already telling you something. Therapy can give you space to sort out whether this is stress, compassion fatigue, or full-on burnout and help you find a way forward

Being tired or stressed usually eases up with rest, time off, or a slower week. Burnout is different. It doesn’t lift after a weekend of sleep or even a long vacation, you come back and still feel drained.

With burnout, it’s not only your energy that’s low. It’s your patience, your creativity, your ability to feel present with clients or at home. You might feel detached, cynical, or like you’re just going through the motions.

I don’t bill insurance directly. Many therapists prefer private pay so they can keep their records fully private, avoid diagnosis labels, and move at a pace that isn’t dictated by insurance. I can provide a superbill if you want to see if your plan offers out-of-network reimbursement.