Finding your way back from trauma and burnout
Trauma and burnout can leave you feeling like you’re moving through life on autopilot. You may be showing up for work, relationships, and responsibilities while quietly struggling on the inside. If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Understanding what’s happening in your mind and body can be the first step toward healing.
What Trauma Does to the Nervous System
When something overwhelming happens, your nervous system shifts into survival mode: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. This response is protective in the moment, but if it stays “switched on,” it can lead to:
Hypervigilance or anxiety
Feeling detached, numb, or “shut down”
Trouble concentrating or remembering things
Physical symptoms like fatigue, tension, or chronic pain
Sleep disturbances or insomnia
What Burnout Looks Like
Burnout happens when ongoing stress outweighs your ability to recharge. Common signs include:
Emotional exhaustion and feeling drained before the day even begins
Reduced sense of accomplishment, “nothing I do is enough”
Depersonalization and feeling detached or cynical toward work or relationships
For medical professionals, caregivers, and helpers, burnout often comes with guilt: “I should be able to handle this.” However, burnout isn’t a weakness, but rather a signal that your mind and body need care and attention.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy can help retrain your nervous system to feel safe again and reduce burnout. Specifically, approaches like EMDR and trauma-informed talk therapy can help you:
Process painful memories without reliving them
Learn grounding tools to calm your body in moments of overwhelm
Rebuild energy, balance, and a sense of purpose
Strengthen relationships through better communication and connection
Small Steps Toward Healing
You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. Healing starts with:
Noticing your body’s signals (tension, exhaustion, racing thoughts)
Practicing small grounding exercises like slow breathing or naming five things you see around you
Reaching out for professional support when you feel ready
Therapy at Awakening Serenity Counseling offers a safe, affirming space to explore these challenges and begin creating change.
Schedule a free consultation here and start the path towards a supportive healing journey.
