In person in Calgary · Online
Stress and burnout counselling in Calgary
Room to step back, understand what's wearing you down and find a pace you can keep.
- Registered Psychologists
- Free 15-minute consultation
- Private and confidential
What is stress and burnout counselling?
Stress and burnout counselling is talk therapy with a psychologist that looks at what's driving your stress, how it's affecting you, and what you can change. At Synthesis Psychology, you can meet in person at our Calgary office, or online or by phone. It starts with a free 15-minute phone consultation, so we can understand what you're looking for and match you with the right psychologist.
Burnout is more than being tired. The World Health Organization describes it as the result of chronic workplace stress that hasn't been successfully managed. Stress from other parts of life is just as real, and managing stress is something our psychologists work with whatever its source.
Stress and burnout can leave you feeling overwhelmed, depleted or disconnected from the things that usually matter to you. Whether the pressure comes from work, relationships or other areas of life, it can affect your well-being and make everyday demands harder to manage.
Our psychologists can help you understand what you're experiencing, recognize when stress is taking a toll, and develop strategies to support your well-being.
What burnout and ongoing stress can look like
Stress and burnout can show up in different ways, and recognizing your own signs is an important first step.
Exhaustion
Feeling depleted of energy, even after a weekend or a break.
Distance
Feeling increasingly distant, negative or cynical about your job or other areas of life.
Reduced effectiveness
Feeling less effective at work or unable to manage other commitments as well as you used to.
Trouble switching off
Lying awake going over tomorrow, or finding it hard to unwind in the evening.
Irritability
Early signs like irritability or tension that can build if left alone.
Life out of balance
Work, caregiving or study taking up space that used to belong to rest, people and the things you enjoy.
These are common experiences, not a checklist or a diagnosis. Your psychologist can talk through what you're noticing with you.
Reaching out
When to reach out about stress
If stress has become constant, or you recognize the exhaustion, distance and reduced effectiveness of burnout, it may help to talk it through with a psychologist. You don't need to be at a breaking point first.
You don't need a referral to see a psychologist in private practice. If you're in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 any time, or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
It may be time to talk to someone if
- Rest isn't restoring you the way it used to
- You're dreading work, or feeling cynical about it
- Stress is spilling into your sleep, health or relationships
- You've been running on empty for weeks or months
- You want a plan, not just a vacation
How we help
How counselling can help with stress and burnout
Your psychologist shapes the work around you, from practical strategies you can use this week to the bigger questions about how you want the pieces of your life to fit together. Sessions may draw on approaches like these.
Solution-focused therapy
Looks at the strengths and past successes you already have, and at the future you want, rather than only at the problem.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
A structured, time-limited therapy that helps you notice, question and change the thoughts and beliefs linked to distressing feelings and behaviours.
Narrative therapy
Treats you as the expert in your own life, and sees the problem as separate from who you are.
Recognizing your warning signs
Learning your own signs of stress, so you can notice them early and respond before they build.
Relaxation that works
Practical ways to unwind and decompress, such as grounding, breathing and meditation, that fit into a busy day.
Boundaries and communication
Strategies for setting boundaries, working through conflict and getting your needs met at work and at home.
What we can work on together
Stress and burnout touch many parts of life. Depending on what you bring, your sessions might also include:
- Stress management
- Work-life balance
- Boundaries and saying no
- Emotion regulation
- Relaxation and rest
- Goal setting and decisions
- Assertive communication
- Anxiety
- Low mood and motivation
How getting started works
Reach out
Call 403.261.5085 or send us a message. We answer calls and email Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, and aim to get back to you as soon as we can.
Talk for 15 minutes
A free phone consultation to understand what you're looking for, so you find the psychologist best suited to your needs.
Start with the right psychologist
We connect you with a psychologist who has the training and experience for what you're facing, and who is a good fit for you. If we don't offer the support you need, we'll refer you to specialized resources.
Questions about stress and burnout counselling
Is burnout a medical diagnosis?
Not according to the World Health Organization. It includes burnout in its International Classification of Diseases as an occupational phenomenon rather than a medical condition, and the term applies specifically to work. You don't need a diagnosis to get support.
Can counselling help if my stress is mostly about work?
Yes. Stress management and work-life wellness are both areas our psychologists work with. If the bigger question is your career direction itself, our partner practice, Canada Career Counselling, offers career counselling.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist in Alberta?
No. You can contact a psychologist in private practice directly, without a referral from a doctor. To get started, book a free 15-minute phone consultation.
How much does counselling cost?
Sessions are 50 minutes and range from $235 to $250. Many extended health benefit plans cover sessions with a psychologist. See fees and insurance.
I'm busy. Can I fit sessions around work?
We offer daytime, evening and weekend sessions, depending on your psychologist's availability, and you can meet online or by phone as well as in person. Ask about times on your consultation call.
How many counselling sessions will I need?
It depends on you. Every person and situation is different, and moving through challenges is a process, so your psychologist tailors counselling to your goals and supports you as you work toward them.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Psychologists follow a code of ethics with strict confidentiality rules that protect your privacy, with limits only in exceptional circumstances, as set out by the College of Alberta Psychologists.
If you claim sessions through a benefit plan, the specific reason you're seeing a psychologist stays confidential.
Your next step starts here.
You don't have to work it out alone. A free 15-minute phone consultation is a simple, no-pressure place to start.
We answer calls and email Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
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