In today’s fast-paced world, many of us are living in a state of near-constant stress. We push through deadlines, juggle responsibilities, and try to stay connected while quietly feeling like we’re running on empty. But when exhaustion becomes chronic—when even the smallest tasks feel overwhelming—we may be facing more than just tiredness. We may be dealing with burnout or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or sometimes both.

These conditions, while distinct, often share similar emotional and physical symptoms. And both deserve careful attention, compassion, and support. At my practice, I offer gentle, integrative care for clients living with burnout and CFS—support that helps them reconnect with their bodies, rebuild their energy, and rediscover a sustainable rhythm for life.

Understanding Burnout and CFS

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress, often work-related. According to the World Health Organization (2019), burnout is classified as an “occupational phenomenon” resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Symptoms include:

• Emotional exhaustion

• Reduced professional efficacy

• Increased mental distance from one’s job

On the other hand, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) is a medical condition that causes extreme fatigue not improved by rest and worsened by physical or mental activity. According to the NHS and Mayo Clinic, common symptoms include:

• Persistent, unexplained fatigue lasting more than six months

• Sleep disturbances

• Cognitive impairments (“brain fog”)

• Muscle or joint pain

• Post-exertional malaise (PEM)

Although they stem from different origins, burnout and CFS often overlap in lived experience. Both can leave individuals feeling depleted, disoriented, and struggling with identity loss, particularly when their productivity and performance have long been tied to their sense of self-worth.

Managing Physical and Emotional Fatigue

One of the most challenging aspects of both conditions is the invisible nature of the fatigue. Unlike tiredness that can be solved with a weekend off, this level of depletion touches everything—your motivation, your relationships, your ability to cope.

In my counselling and coaching work, I help clients begin the process of slowing down, tuning in, and listening to their body’s signals without judgment. We explore how emotional pressure—the internalised drive to keep going, to perform, to not disappoint others—contributes to physical collapse.

Learning to honour rest as healing, rather than laziness or failure, is a powerful shift. As noted by researchers at King’s College London, pacing and energy management are essential to long-term recovery from CFS. The same principle applies to burnout: recovery starts with rest, but also with permission to rest.

Restoring Balance and Energy

Recovery is not linear—and it’s never about going back to “who you used to be.” It’s about creating a more sustainable, compassionate version of your life.

Together with my clients, I work to restore emotional and physical balance by identifying the beliefs, habits, and systems that have led to their exhaustion. This might include:

• Redefining self-worth outside of productivity

• Setting gentle, realistic expectations

• Creating supportive daily routines

• Managing triggers for overwhelm

• Practising mindfulness and grounding techniques

According to Harvard Medical School, nervous system dysregulation plays a significant role in both chronic fatigue and burnout. As such, strategies that calm the nervous system—such as somatic awareness, breathwork, and boundary setting—are core parts of my integrative approach.

Navigating Work-Life and Health Challenges

Burnout and CFS don’t just impact energy levels—they can upend entire lives. Many of my clients face difficult questions:

• Should I reduce my hours at work?

• How do I explain this to my boss or partner?

• What if people don’t believe I’m unwell?

• Who am I if I can’t do what I used to?

These are not just logistical issues—they are deeply emotional and existential ones. My role as a therapist is to help you sit with these questions and find your own way forward, with compassion and clarity.

I support clients in advocating for themselves at work, communicating their needs in relationships, and grieving the loss of the “old self” while nurturing a gentler, wiser version of who they are becoming.

Recovery Is Possible

While there may be no quick fix for burnout or CFS, healing is possible—especially when approached with patience, support, and deep self-compassion.

At my practice, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to recover their energy, restore their boundaries, and rebuild a life that honours their true capacity. Whether you are dealing with professional burnout, navigating life with CFS, or unsure which of the two applies to you, you are not alone—and you don’t need to walk this path without guidance.