Burnout recovery in Melbourne
Burnout often comes from a nervous system that has been running hard for too long, and rest alone doesn't fully reset it. In therapy we work with the body's stress response and the inner parts that keep pushing. I see people in Thornbury and Elsternwick, and online.
What burnout can look like
It tends to build slowly, especially when working under pressure has become normal. People describe feeling tired even after a holiday and dreading the start of the day. They get short with people they care about and lose their grip on decisions. Work that once mattered can start to feel distant. Headaches and broken sleep are common, and so is guilt whenever you're not being productive.
The World Health Organization describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon linked to chronic workplace stress, and doesn't classify it as a medical condition. Exhaustion and poor concentration also show up with depression, anxiety, sleep problems and medical conditions, so if they're persistent or getting worse, it's worth seeing your GP.
Why rest isn't always enough
Rest matters. The habits and conditions that led to burnout need attention too. Many people who burn out have spent years as the person everyone relies on. They answer quickly and say yes to a colleague before checking whether they have room. Even on leave they catch themselves thinking about what could go wrong while they're away.
Some of that may be held in place by a nervous system used to expecting pressure. Seeing how you respond can help you make more deliberate choices. None of it replaces changing the workload and the workplace conditions behind it.
How somatic work can help
Somatic Experiencing pays attention to what stress does in your body. In a session we might explore what happens when you think about an overwhelming workload or a difficult conversation coming up. You might notice tension in your jaw or an urge to move away. We look at those responses and try small ways of supporting more steadiness.
Over time that can mean noticing earlier when you're getting overwhelmed, and getting to know what it feels like in your body to set a limit. It's one part of burnout support. Recovery sometimes needs changes at work as well, and a check with your GP.
Finding it hard to say no
For some people, burnout runs alongside a long habit of putting others first. Being dependable becomes part of who you are, and declining another request brings guilt or anxiety even when your load is already too heavy. IFS helps us look at the different concerns behind that. We can get curious about the part that wants to please people, and about the resentment that builds when you keep giving. Noticing both can open up room for other choices.
You don't have to decide everything now
Exhaustion makes it hard to tell whether you need a new job or just more support, and the pressure to decide fast doesn't help. We can start by understanding what's happening and what's realistically within your capacity to change.
About me
I'm a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with IFS Level 1 training, and a Teaching Assistant with Somatic Experiencing International. Before this I spent years coaching senior leaders and running leadership development in complex organisations, which shapes how I understand workplace pressure and the personal patterns that make it hard to step back. I'm also completing a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy at Ikon Institute.
Questions people ask
How do I know if it's burnout? Burnout generally relates to prolonged workplace stress, with exhaustion, detachment or cynicism about work, and reduced effectiveness. A GP can help assess your symptoms and consider other causes.
Can Somatic Experiencing help with burnout? Some people find it helps them understand how they react to pressure. The evidence that it treats burnout specifically is limited, so I see it as one support among others. It isn't a guaranteed route to recovery.
Do I have to leave my job to recover? Not necessarily. It depends on your circumstances, and sometimes adjusting workload and support is enough.
What does it cost? Fees are on a sliding scale, currently $140 to $220 per session. Sessions aren't Medicare rebatable, and no referral is needed. The first session is 90 minutes, then 60 or 90, in person in Thornbury and Elsternwick, or online.
Start with a free call
Starting is often the hardest part. The free 45-minute call is there to talk through what's happening and see whether somatic work suits you.
Somatic practice doesn't replace medical assessment or psychological treatment where they're needed. I don't diagnose mental health conditions.