Burnout rarely happens overnight. More often, it creeps in slowly, until one day you wake up exhausted before your feet even touch the floor.
Unread texts start piling up, your patience with loved ones wears thin, and you begin dreading Monday morning more than ever. No amount of rest feels like enough to recharge. You're running on empty, trying to meet everyone else's expectations while feeling increasingly detached from your own life.
Underneath most burnout is a strategy that used to work. You learned how to manage, how to keep going, how to not let people down, and it served you for a long time. The exhaustion isn't a personal failing. It's what happens when that strategy finally runs out of room.
If you're tired of just pushing through, I provide empathetic, relational burnout counselling and therapy in Kingston to help you step off the path of chronic exhaustion and find your way back to feeling like yourself.
Burnout often isn't just about workload. It's frequently tangled up with people-pleasing or a lifetime of overfunctioning around a difficult parent. Managing your feelings and actually feeling them are two different things, and burnout tends to show up in the gap between them. If that resonates, those pages might name it more precisely.
This work tends to resonate most with young professionals who are good at managing on the outside but are quietly running on fumes underneath. If that's you, keep reading.
Meet Your Burnout Therapist
I'm Victoria Brassard-Monahan, BAH, MACP, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) practising under the supervision of Kim Lawrence, BScH, MSW, RSW. My approach to burnout counselling draws on Emotionally Focused Therapy, narrative therapy, and parts work, alongside attachment theory and relational, person-centred practice. In session, I tend to name what I notice gently and directly, because I believe insight lands best when it feels safe rather than clinical.
Signs you might be experiencing burnout…
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Dreading work or daily responsibilities that used to feel easy
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Feeling more irritable or short-tempered with people you care about
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Sleeping eight hours but still waking up feeling completely unrefreshed*
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Losing motivation to make social plans
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Feeling cynical, detached, or like you're just going through the motions
We can work together to understand the root causes of your burnout so you can set meaningful boundaries and build a lifestyle that actually feels sustainable.
Not ready to book yet? See what to expect in your first session. →
*If not better explained by a medical concern.
What working together looks like
In our first session, we'll slow down and look at how burnout is currently affecting your energy, mood, and daily life.
Over our next few sessions, we will explore what contributed to this level of exhaustion, looking at work dynamics, relational history, or long-standing patterns of people-pleasing, and outline a clear path forward.
As we continue our work, you will gain practical, in-the-moment support to recognize early warning signs of overload, build confidence in setting firm boundaries, and protect your peace for the long term.
I tend to be direct about what I'm noticing, but never in a way that adds to what you're already carrying. My goal is to help you see clearly, not to hand you more to manage.
Who This Is For
I see burnout most often with folks in their 30s and 40s who've gotten really good at stuffing their emotions down. You're self-aware enough to know something is off, but you've built a life around powering through instead of actually feeling what's underneath. You don't need a crisis to justify coming in. Feeling stuck, flat, or secretly worn down is enough of a reason.
Areas I Serve
I offer in-person burnout therapy from my Downtown Kingston office, serving clients throughout Kingston, ON, and virtual burnout counselling for anyone located elsewhere in Ontario. Whether you're commuting from across the city or logging in from home before work, there's a way to fit this work into your schedule.
Inclusive, compassionate care in Downtown Kingston.
My approach combines Emotionally Focused Therapy, attachment theory, and relational work. As a trauma-informed, queer, and neurodivergent practitioner, I aim to provide a safe, affirming space where you can drop the pressure to perform. Whether you're a parent, working professional, or student, I'm here to support you in your growth.
In-person office | 20 Montreal Street #2, Kingston, ON
Virtual care available across Ontario
Covered by most Registered Psychotherapist insurance benefits
Ready to regain your energy?
If you are looking for a burnout therapist in Kingston, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute phone call. Let's talk about what's going on and how we can help you find your footing again.
Not ready to book yet? See what to expect in your first session. →
FAQs About Burnout Therapy
How do I know if what I'm feeling is burnout?
Burnout often shows up as chronic exhaustion, irritability, and a sense of detachment from work or relationships that once felt fulfilling. It's rarely just about being tired. It's usually a sign that a strategy that used to protect you is starting to cost more than it gives back. If you're not sure whether what you're experiencing is burnout or something else, that's a completely reasonable thing to bring to a free consultation call.
Do you offer virtual burnout therapy if I'm not in Kingston?
Yes. Virtual burnout counselling is available across Ontario, and many clients move between in-person and virtual sessions depending on what their week looks like.
Is burnout therapy covered by insurance?
I don't bill directly to insurance companies, but I provide a receipt after every session that most insurance providers recognize for services from a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). It's worth confirming with your provider what your plan covers.
How long does burnout therapy take before I notice a difference?
This varies from person to person, but many clients begin to notice the first shifts within 6 to 12 sessions. We'll check in together along the way to make sure the pace and approach still feel right for you.