therapy for burnout, anxiety, and perfectionism in seattle, wa
it’s your turn to be taken care of
sometimes holding it all together ends up feeling like a lot
For as long as you can remember you’ve been a natural caretaker. You’ve always been there when someone needed help, advice, or a listening ear, but lately your loyalty and compassion for others is starting to feel more like an obligation than a strength.
Sometimes being known as ‘the responsible one’ comes with a vulnerability to developing resentments and wishing that others would show up and take care of you as well as you do for them. Contrary to the pressure you might feel to always be everything to everyone around you, all human beings have their limits. A few signs that you might be beyond yours include:
Feelings of guilt and shame about never quite having as much energy as you used to, which only gets worse when you compare yourself to others
Urges to isolate and feeling hopeless, especially when when the same activities that used to make you happy have lost their spark
Dreading the week ahead of you, clinging to the little time for rest you have and noticing that the Sunday scaries have gotten way more intense
to the rule-followers, perfectionists, and “moms of the friend group,”
this space is for you.
Life doesn’t have to stay this way.
Right now it might feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to reflect or turn inward, but I want you to know that it is absolutely possible for you to experience more space, warmth, and capacity. Maybe you’re imagining that breaking out of the cycle of burnout will require huge and dramatic transformations (and maybe that’s true) and I also want to remind you that healing happens in moments, and we will seek out those moments together.
I will help you tune in to your body and notice how you’re really feeling. Maybe this will be foreign or strange at first, but with me all emotions are valid, useful, and worth holding space for. Starting here gives us an opportunity to reflect on what you learned about your feelings, when they were/were not okay, and how you learned to cope.
We’ll come to understand the reflexes you’ve developed throughout your life - maybe that includes pushing through discomfort, immediately raising your hand to volunteer help, or imagining everything that could go wrong so that you are sure you are making the most responsible choice. When we can see and empathize with the good intentions of any of these reflexes, there’s more of a chance that you’ll find the space to slow down and inquire about what’s really best for you in that moment.
Part of our work will also probably involve taking some risks and doing some things you’ve never done before. This will always happen at your pace and your discretion. Our sessions will be a structured and protected space to practice speaking what’s true for you out loud, re-orienting to your right to make choices and set boundaries, and asking for help and letting yourself be helped.
Therapy for burnout, anxiety, and perfectionism can help you…
Feel closer to and more understood by your partner, friends, and/or family
Set boundaries at work and re-gain authority over your time and energy
Develop a loving relationship with yourself - just as you are, welcoming even the messy and imperfect parts
Experience deep rest and find self-care practices that integrate with your lifestyle practically and meaningfully
Embrace playfulness, creativity, and fun for fun’s sake
FAQs
-
In our first session I’ll be asking broad questions to understand your childhood and early life. We’ll use this as a foundation to understand how some of your current experiences came to be.
After that first session, you’ll come in to talk with me about what’s important to you. I’ll help us stay focused on your goals and take the opportunities to stay with your emotions and intentions toward growth.
-
It is always your right to decide when therapy begins and ends. We will openly discuss where and how you are seeing progress throughout our work together and decide on the length of treatment that is right for you. As a very general average, I often work with clients for about 9 months to 1 year.
-
1) Schedule a free no-obligation consultation call
by calling 206-249-9856 or emailing chelsea@chelseagibsoncounseling.com
We will discuss what’s happening for you, your goals, and how I can help.2) If we’re a good fit we will schedule your first appointment, and if not, I’ll refer you to someone great who can help you.
3) I’ll send you a link to my client portal for pre-session paperwork and be available for any questions that come up. I’ll also send you directions to my office or a zoom link.
4) We will start our process and you’ll get closer to finding the peace you’ve been longing for.