Stress & Burnout Therapy in Port Coquitlam
A Clinical Definition of Stress & Burnout
Stress is your body's natural response to challenges and demands. But when stress becomes constant and overwhelming, it can lead to burnout, a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Clinically, burnout is characterized by feeling emotionally drained, disconnected from work or activities you once enjoyed, and having a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. It's not just being tired - it's feeling completely empty and unable to cope.
Read More: Combating Workplace Burnout: Effective Therapy Tools for a Balanced Life
Symptoms of Stress & Burnout
Physical: Constant headaches, muscle tension, stomach problems, getting sick often, or feeling exhausted even after sleep.
Emotional: Feeling overwhelmed, irritable, anxious, or like you just don't care anymore.
Behavioural: Procrastinating, avoiding responsibilities, isolating from friends and family, or using food/alcohol to cope
How Stress & Burnout Can Show Up in Your Life
Stress and burnout don't just stay at work, it can take over everything. You might notice:
Dreading Monday mornings or feeling trapped in your daily routine
Snapping at people you love over small things
Feeling like you're running on empty but can't slow down
Losing interest in things that used to make you happy
Feeling like you're failing at everything, even though you're doing your best
What Stress & Burnout Really Feel Like (Beyond the Textbook)
Clinically, burnout involves emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of accomplishment. But let's be real about what it actually feels like:
Running on Empty You wake up tired and go to bed exhausted. Even simple tasks feel impossible. It's like your phone battery is always at 2% but you can't find a charger.
Emotional Numbness You used to care deeply about your work, relationships, and goals. Now you feel disconnected and just going through the motions. It's scary when you realize you don't feel much of anything anymore.
The Impossible Trap You feel like you can't keep up, but you also can't stop. There's always more to do, more people counting on you, more pressure to be perfect. Rest feels selfish or impossible.
Why “Just Take a Break” Isn’t Enough
Trauma memories aren’t stored like regular ones. They get trapped in the brain’s amygdala (the “alarm center”) and body, bypassing rational thought. This is why:
Talking about the event might retraumatize you, flooding your system.
You can’t “logic” your way out of triggers – your body reacts faster than your mind.
Coping strategies like avoidance or people-pleasing keep you stuck in survival mode.
EMDR and somatic therapy work differently. They help your nervous system complete the survival response frozen in time, so your body learns, “The threat is over. I’m safe now.”
Are You Ready to Move Past These Symptoms?
Healing from stress is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone. At Serenity Counselling, we provide a safe, supportive space to process your experiences and reclaim your life.
Ready to take the first step?—Book a free consultation.
How Stress & Burnout Counselling Helps
Identify Your Patterns We'll figure out what's really draining you - perfectionism, people-pleasing, impossible standards, or feeling like you have to do everything yourself.
Learn to Say No Discover how to set boundaries without feeling guilty, and protect your energy for things that actually matter to you.
Recharge Your Battery Find realistic ways to restore your energy that actually work with your busy life, not against it.
Rebuild Your Spark Reconnect with what makes you feel alive and purposeful, even when life gets hectic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between stress and burnout?
A: Stress is like your body's alarm system going off when things get tough. Burnout is what happens when that alarm has been going off for so long that your batteries are completely dead. With stress, you might still feel motivated even though you're overwhelmed. With burnout, you feel empty, like you just don't care anymore, and nothing seems to matter.
Q: How do I know if I'm burned out or just really tired?
A: Being tired means you need a good night's sleep or a weekend to recharge. Burnout is when you sleep for 10 hours and still wake up exhausted. You might also notice you don't enjoy things you used to love, you feel emotionally numb, or you're getting sick more often. If rest doesn't help and you feel this way for weeks, it might be burnout.
Q: Why can't I just "push through" like I used to?
A: Your body and brain have limits, just like a phone battery. When you keep pushing without recharging, eventually you hit empty and can't function properly. This isn't a weakness ,it's your body trying to protect you. Sometimes cultural expectations or family pressure make us think we should always be strong, but everyone needs to rest and recharge.
Q: How long does it take to recover from burnout?
A: It depends on how burned out you are and what caused it. Some people feel better in a few weeks with good self-care, while others need months or even longer. The important thing is to start somewhere and be patient with yourself. Recovery isn't a straight line , some days will be better than others.
Q: Can therapy really help with stress and burnout?
A: Absolutely! Therapy helps you figure out what's really draining you and teaches you better ways to manage stress such as EMDR. You'll learn how to set boundaries, say no without feeling guilty, and take care of yourself. It's especially helpful if you're dealing with perfectionism or feeling like you have to make everyone else happy.
Q: What if my family or culture doesn't believe in therapy?
A: This can be really hard. Some cultures see asking for help as weakness, but taking care of your mental health is just as important as going to the doctor when you're sick. Sometimes it helps to find a therapist who understands your cultural background.
Q: How do I find a therapist who gets what I'm going through?
A: Look for therapists who specialize in stress and burnout, especially if they understand young people or your cultural background. It's okay to ask questions about their experience and approach. You want someone who makes you feel heard and understood, not judged. Therapists like Zahra Lakhdhir and Suki O'Huallachain create safe spaces where you can work on feeling better without judgment.