Counselling for Stress & Burnout
When Life Becomes Too Much: Understanding Stress & Burnout
If you are reading this, you might be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you're just going through the motions. You have probably tried the usual advice; more sleep, time management, positive thinking, etc. But if you are still struggling despite this, you might need more than surface-level fixes. Let's delve deeper into counselling and therapy for burnout and stress.
Understanding the Difference Between Stress vs. Burnout
Stress is your body’s natural response to difficult or demanding situations. When you have a big project at work or an important exam, stress can make you feel more alert. Your heart beats faster, your mind works quickly, and you might feel a rush of energy to help you tackle the challenge. This reaction can actually be helpful in the short term.
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However, when stress becomes constant and you don’t get time to recover, it wears you down. You might feel anxious, have trouble sleeping, or experience physical symptoms like headaches or stomach problems.
Burnout is what happens after experiencing prolonged stress, especially when you feel you have little control or recognition for your efforts. It is beyond just being stressed. You may feel emotionally drained, empty, unable to keep up with everything that’s going on.
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When you are burned out, you feel disconnected from your work and the people around you. Activities that once excited you now feel uninteresting or pointless. Unlike stress, burnout makes you feel like you have nothing left to give.
Recognizing Stress
Stress shows up in several ways:​
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Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, stomach problems, or feeling tired even after sleeping
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Mood changes including irritability, anxiety, or feeling down more often than usual
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Sleep problems such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling exhausted despite getting enough rest
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Behavioural changes e.g. appetite changes, avoiding social activities, or relying more heavily on caffeine or alcohol​
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Mental symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, or trouble making decisions
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Feeling overwhelmed like you have too much to do, not enough time, and can't cope with daily tasks
Recognizing Burnout
Burnout has its own distinct signs:​
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Emotional exhaustion, feeling drained and worn out most of the time, not just physically tired
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Detachment from work or relationships that used to matter to you
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Disillusionment and questioning the value of your work, feeling like you are not achieving anything meaningful
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Physical symptoms including headaches, stomach issues, getting sick more often, or general physical complaints
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Decreased performance, finding it harder to concentrate, struggling with tasks that used to be manageable, or feeling less creative​
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Negative outlook such as feeling pessimistic about life and the future, or helpless about your situation​
What Causes Burnout?
Unmanageable workloads over extended periods of time
Mismatch between your values and what you're required to do
Feeling that your efforts aren't appreciated or recognized
Unclear expectations or constantly changing demands
Feeling like a lack of control over your work or daily responsibilities
Working in environments where you feel unsupported by coworkers
How Therapy For Burnout Can Help You
For Stress Management: If you are dealing with stress, counselling can help you develop better coping strategies, learn relaxation techniques, and identify what's driving your stress response. We will work on practical skills for managing pressure and building resilience.
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For Burnout Recovery: Burnout requires a different approach. Recovery will involve understanding what led to your burnout, addressing the underlying causes, and often making significant changes in how you approach work and life. This process takes time and usually can't be rushed.
In counselling, we will work together on:
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Identifying your specific stress triggers and burnout risk factors
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Understanding the thoughts and beliefs that contribute to overwork and/or perfectionism
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Developing boundaries that protect your energy and well-being
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Recognize early warning signs before you reach crisis point
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Build practical skills for managing workplace demands and relationships
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Reconnecting with what matters most to you beyond productivity and achievement
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Creating sustainable ways of living that honour both your goals and your limits
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Recovering from burnout isn't about returning to exactly how things were before. It is about building a more sustainable approach to work and life. This may require setting different boundaries, adjusting workloads, or shifting expectations of themselves.
What to Expect in Therapy for Stress/Burnout
Starting therapy can feel uncertain. Here is what you can expect in therapy at LightingWay Counselling & Therapy:
Your First Session (Initial Assessment)
In our first meeting, we will focus on getting to know each other and understanding your experience with burnout. I will ask about your symptoms, how long you have been struggling, what's happening in your life, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. It is a safe, non-judgmental conversation. Together, we will set some goals and create a roadmap for your treatment.
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Ongoing Sessions (Active Treatment)
Therapy typically happens weekly or bi-weekly, each session lasting 60 minutes. In these sessions, we will:
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Explore root causes of your depression and patterns keeping it in place
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Learn practical coping strategies you can use between sessions
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Work through difficult emotions in a supportive environment
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Challenge negative thoughts and develop healthier perspectives
Timeline & Progress
Every individual's mental health journey is different, but many clients notice improvement within 6 to 8 sessions. Some need shorter-term support (3-6 months), while others benefit from longer-term therapy. We will regularly review your progress. Burnout recovery isn't always linear, but over time, you will build resilience and develop tools to manage stress even after therapy ends.
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What I Ask From You:
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Come with an open mind and willingness to explore difficult topics
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Practice skills and strategies between sessions when possible
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Communicate openly about what's helping and what isn't
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Be patient with yourself – recovery takes time
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Therapy is a collaborative process. You are in the driver's seat, and your therapist is there to guide and collaborate with you.
Meet Your Therapist
Therapist for Stress and Burnout
Registered Counsellor (RC) of Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC)
M.A. in Counselling and Guidance, Singapore
Hi, I’m Stella, a professional psychotherapist and counsellor based in Singapore. I am committed to provide high-quality, professional, and inclusive therapy for all. Using evidence-based modalities like CBT, CTRT and ACT, I utilize an integrative toolkit and trauma-informed care to support you towards better mental health.
My goal is to create a safe, supportive, non-judgmental space where you can openly share, gain insight, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself. Read more about my credentials here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Individual Counselling Services in Singapore
Located conveniently in the East side of Singapore near Eunos, Joo Chiat and Katong area, my practice offers flexible scheduling options to accommodate busy Singapore lifestyle. Understanding the demands of work-life balance, I also provide evening weekday appointments and weekend sessions for people who can't attend during business hours.
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My comprehensive individual therapy services (60 minutes) in Singapore include:
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Individual counselling sessions
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Evidence-based approaches (CBT, CTRT, ACT, etc)
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Online therapy options for those unable to attend in person
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Bilingual counselling services (mix of English and Mandarin)
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One of the most affordable therapy options in Singapore
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Whether you are facing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, or simply want to enhance your personal growth, my evidence-based approaches and culturally sensitive counselling can help you create a more fulfilling and balanced life within our local multicultural context.
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Book an appointment with our therapist, Stella Ong today.
