Alexis
Pagomenos
Psychology
Therapy for
Stress & Burnout
in Brisbane
Do You Feel Like You're Constantly Running on Empty?
Do you feel like there's always something you need to do, something you haven't finished or something else you should be worrying about?
Perhaps you're finding it difficult to keep up with the demands of work, study, relationships and everyday life, and you're starting to feel like you just can't catch a break.
You might recognise some of these experiences:
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Feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to get done, struggling to switch off even when you have time to relax.
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Constantly thinking about work, study or responsibilities, even when you're supposed to be taking a break.
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Feeling exhausted, mentally drained or like you have nothing left to give by the end of the day.
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Struggling to say no, set boundaries or prioritise your own needs because you feel like you're letting other people down.
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Finding yourself becoming increasingly irritable, unmotivated or disconnected from things you used to enjoy.
Perhaps you've been pushing through for so long that feeling stressed and exhausted has started to feel normal. You might tell yourself that things will settle down once you get through the next deadline, finish that project or get a few things off your plate.
But the demands keep coming, and you're finding it harder to recover.
What Does Living with Burnout Feel Like?
When you're experiencing ongoing stress, it can feel like you're constantly in catch-up mode. You might wake up thinking about everything you need to accomplish, spend your day rushing between responsibilities and then struggle to relax because your mind is still focused on what needs to happen next.
You might find yourself saying yes to things when you really want to say no, putting other people's needs ahead of your own or feeling guilty whenever you're not being productive. Even when you have an opportunity to rest, you might struggle to enjoy it because you're thinking about everything you haven't done.
Over time, this constant pressure can leave you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted. You might lose motivation, become increasingly frustrated or start feeling disconnected from your work, relationships and the things that usually bring you enjoyment.
Perhaps the most frustrating part is that you know something needs to change, but you don't have the energy or headspace to work out what to do differently.
You're Not Alone in This
Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes ongoing and starts affecting your wellbeing, relationships and ability to enjoy everyday experiences, it's worth paying attention to.
Burnout can develop when you're exposed to prolonged or excessive stress without enough opportunity to recover. It can leave you feeling exhausted, increasingly disconnected from your responsibilities and less confident in your ability to manage everyday demands.
You might feel like you should be able to handle everything, particularly when other people seem to be managing just fine. But struggling with stress doesn't mean you're not capable or that you're not trying hard enough.
You don't have to wait until you're completely burnt out before giving yourself permission to slow down and seek support.
Feeling More Balanced and in Control of Your Life Is Possible
When you've been feeling stressed or burnt out for a while, it's easy to assume that the only solution is to get through your current workload, take a holiday or wait until things become less demanding.
While making time to rest is important, sometimes the patterns contributing to your stress need attention too.
You might have developed habits of putting pressure on yourself, setting unrealistic expectations, struggling to say no or feeling responsible for keeping everyone else happy. You might also find yourself caught in cycles of overthinking, procrastination and working under pressure, which can make everyday responsibilities feel even more overwhelming.
I work with adults who are struggling with stress, feeling overwhelmed and finding it difficult to balance the different demands in their lives.
Therapy can help you understand what's contributing to your stress, recognise the patterns that are keeping you stuck and develop different ways of responding to the pressures you're experiencing.
The goal isn't to eliminate all stress from your life or become someone who never feels overwhelmed. It's to develop a healthier relationship with your responsibilities, feel more comfortable setting boundaries and create a life where you have time and energy for the things that matter to you.
What Will Therapy for Stress & Burnout Look Like?
Starting therapy can feel like another thing to add to an already busy schedule.
My aim is to create a space where you can slow down, make sense of what's been happening and work towards changes that feel realistic and achievable.
In our first session, we'll explore what's been happening in your life, what has been feeling overwhelming and how stress is affecting you. This might include work, study, relationships, family responsibilities or the expectations you place on yourself.
We'll also talk about what you'd like to be different and what feeling more balanced might look like for you.
We'll explore the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that might be contributing to your stress and burnout. This could include perfectionism, people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, excessive worrying or feeling like you always need to be productive.
Understanding these patterns can help you recognise why you keep finding yourself in the same situations, even when you know they're not working for you.
We'll work on practical strategies to help you manage stress and respond differently to everyday pressures. This might include:
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Learning to recognise and challenge unrealistic expectations you place on yourself.
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Developing healthier boundaries and becoming more comfortable saying no.
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Managing overthinking and worrying about things outside your control.
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Learning to prioritise tasks and manage competing responsibilities.
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Developing strategies for managing difficult emotions and feeling overwhelmed.
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Finding ways to make rest and recovery a more consistent part of your life.
Progress might look like feeling more comfortable switching off after work, being able to say no without feeling guilty, managing your responsibilities without constantly feeling overwhelmed or making more time for relationships and activities you enjoy.
I work to tailor therapy to your experiences, needs and goals. We'll work together to identify changes that are realistic and sustainable, rather than creating another long list of things you feel like you should be doing.
You May Have Some Concerns. That's Okay.
What if I don't have time for therapy?
It's understandable that finding time for therapy might feel difficult when you're already overwhelmed with responsibilities. However, therapy doesn't need to become another thing you have to get perfect. It's an opportunity to make time for yourself, understand what's happening and work towards changes that can make everyday life more manageable.
What if my stress is caused by things outside my control?
Sometimes the demands placed on us are genuinely difficult, and not everything can be changed. Therapy isn't about pretending that external pressures don't exist. We can explore what is within your control, how you're responding to the things that aren't and what changes might help you manage your circumstances differently.
What if I've always been a perfectionist or someone who puts others first?
You might feel like these patterns are simply part of your personality. Perhaps you've always been someone who works hard, wants to get things right or tries to keep everyone happy. These qualities qualities have probably been helpful in many ways, but they can become exhausting when they come at the expense of your own wellbeing. Our goal in therapy is to help be more flexible with these qualities to find a healthier balance.
Do I have to commit to ongoing therapy after reaching out?
Not at all! There's absolutely no pressure to book a session afterwards. Reaching out to our reception team is simply an opportunity for you to see whether we might be a good fit, and for you to understand how therapy could help.
How do I take the next step?
If you're tired of constantly feeling overwhelmed, struggling to switch off or feeling like you're running on empty, you don't have to keep pushing through on your own.
You don't need to wait until things become overwhelming to reach out. I'd love to hear about what you've been experiencing and talk with you about what working together might look like.
Contact us today. There's no pressure or obligation to book a therapy session afterwards.
Get In Touch
Ready to take the next step? I am ready when you are.
Contact Information
I work as part of the team at My Psych Clinic, in Eight Mile Plains.
Get in touch with our friendly reception team to book a session or answer any questions.
Level 1 Building 10/107 Miles Platting Rd, Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113
Please note that I am unable to respond to emergency or crisis situations. If you, or someone else, requires immediate emergency support, please contact emergency services on 000, Lifeline (24 hr service) on 13 11 14, Mental Health Access Line (24 hr service) on 1300 64 22 55, 13YARN - 13 92 76, or visit your nearest hospital emergency department.
