My Story
My interest in burnout comes from my personal experience of several bouts of burnout over the years. I know what it's like to not feel able to face being in social settings because being with people is exhausting, to dread late nights or days out because you don’t know when your energy is going to drain away from you all of a sudden or how long it will take you to recover, to feel anxiety and even panic on a Sunday evening because you have to go to work tomorrow morning and you don’t know how you are going to manage even getting out of bed, never mind making it through another day, another week. I have experienced how this can lead to depression and the sense that “I’m never going to get better”. Above all, I have learned how the whole of this cycle can be measured against the state of your relationship with yourself. If you are burnt out, the likelihood is you have lost that connection with who you are. As you heal your relationship with you, the more you are able to reconnect to yourself and the less likely it is that you will burnout again.
I found my way out of the cycle of burnout. I walked and walked in the wild countryside around my home and as I walked, I started to listen to myself. I started to understand what I needed when I was feeling this way. I learned what works for me when I’m at rock bottom. And I explored what I was doing that kept bringing me round to this place of burnout time and again. I explored the beliefs and habits that underpinned this. In short, I got to know myself again. I reconnected with myself.
Registered Member
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy (2021)
Qualifications
Keele University
Intermediate Co-Active Coach Training (2007)
The Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
Co-Active Leadership Programme (2008)
My Approach
My approach combines the training I have done, the skills I have developed, the experiences I have had throughout my life and how they have shaped who I am as a person and therapist. All these elements are integrated into a unique approach that is not only a reflection of who I am as a therapist but also of the relationship I develop with each individual I work with. You are as unique as I am so my aim is to give you the bespoke therapeutic solution that only you and I can create.
My experience of burnout has shaped my understanding of what might be going on for you, why that is manifesting itself in symptoms and patterns of burnout and what you might find helpful in understanding your relationship with burnout – and with yourself.
Therapy takes work. I don’t have a magic wand. I won’t give you stock answers or ‘prescriptions’ but what I will do is collaborate with you so we can explore together. I trust that you have the answers, that you know what is best for you (even if you don’t quite believe that at the moment!). We will go at your pace and visit the more challenging places, experiences and stories that have shaped who you are only when you are ready to go there.
My experience of walking my way through my darkest times has led me to understand the value of that for everyone which is why outdoor therapy is one of the ways you can work with me.
The other way to work with me is online. This means I can work with you no matter where you are in the UK. It also means that you can have therapy wherever you feel safe and comfortable. All I ask is that you choose somewhere where you won’t be disturbed, overheard or interrupted for the duration of your session (and perhaps a bit longer).
My particular set of qualifications and experiences mean that I am uniquely placed to help you understand your own relationship with burnout – what does it look like for you, how does it feel, what are the things that help and support your recovery and what are the beliefs and habits that keep you returning to burnout. Armed with this information you can become your own best ally in breaking the cycle of burnout and reconnecting with yourself.
Online Therapy
We are likely to talk about all kinds of things – some you will expect and perhaps some you won’t – and it is therefore important that you feel safe enough to talk and feel freely without being overheard, distracted or interrupted even by people you trust. So turn off your phone, find somewhere private, and let people know you are not available for an hour or so. If you have children, arrange for someone else to take care of them. Then, make yourself a hot drink or grab a glass of water, settle down somewhere comfortable and let’s talk.
If you are coming to therapy because you are experiencing burnout, chances are you find it hard to make time for yourself or set boundaries with others. Choosing therapy is a good way to start so take the opportunity to create an hour in your week that is just for you.
Working online is a great way to do therapy because you can choose where you are for your sessions and you don’t have to get home afterwards when you might be feeling a bit vulnerable or wobbly. However, it's possible that you share your home with family or friends and so you need to put a few measures in place to create space for yourself that will support you in your therapy.
Outdoor Therapy
A crucial part of my recovery from burnout was walking in nature. This is why I offer outdoor therapy for all one-to-one appointments. There’s something about being somewhere that is bigger than us, so constant, so peaceful that helps us forget ourselves for a while. For me, it helps silence that inner critical or judgemental voice that nags, bosses and monitors me. The rhythm of walking adds to that peace, that reconnection to my body that helps to silence my busy mind.
Of course, the outdoors is public space used by anyone who wants to use it and together we will agree how best to manage your privacy. The outdoors also has weather – sometimes pleasant, sometimes more challenging – and we will agree how ‘fair-weather’ we are about being outside in the elements.