What is burnout?

Burnout has three main symptoms:

1. Emotional exhaustion—being drained from caring too much.
2. Alienation—cynicism about things that used to be meaningful.
3. A decreased sense of accomplishment—as the sisters Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski write in their book Burnout, “the feeling that nothing you do makes a difference.”

Physical symptoms can include extreme fatigue, frequent headaches, and gastrointestinal problems. Mentally, burnout can show up as restlessness, an inability to pay attention, increased anger, and (literally) over 100 other ways.

One of the most prominent symptoms is a near-constant feeling of numbness, that decreased sense of accomplishment. A nagging feeling that there’s more to do, yet you’re too exhausted to do it. Or at least do it as well as you’d like or are expected to.

How I treat burnout

We will start by identifying the burnout symptoms you’ve been experiencing. We will also identify the situations and circumstances (“triggers”) that cause the symptoms.

I will teach you practices to address the symptoms as they arise in the moment, like mindfulness meditation. We will also discuss potential changes at your workplace, at home, and other areas of your life.

Using Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, we will identify the “parts” of you that are contributing to your burnout symptoms. These parts often include a part that feels like you have to constantly prove that you’re a hard worker and/or a part that feels like you have to strive to be perfect or the best.

In IFS, parts are internal subpersonalities we developed as children. They get “frozen in time … and keep doing whatever extreme things they did to protect [us] when [we] were young,” says Richard Schwartz, the therapist who developed IFS.

We will get to know your parts and help them release their childlike, extreme beliefs about how you need to be.

FAQ about therapy for burnout

How will I know it’s working?

While you’ll likely feel some relief within a few sessions, long-lasting progress may take weeks, months, or even years—especially for chronic burnout. This is because therapy not only treats symptoms, but it also addresses root causes.

I will not only help you learn new ways to cope with burnout, but I will also help you explore why it’s happening in the first place, which often takes time. Eventually, addressing the experiences and healing the trauma that laid the foundation for your burnout may allow you to fully let go of the habits and patterns that stress you out.  

How often should I do therapy and for how long?

As the client, you always control the frequency and number of sessions. Typically, I recommend that we meet weekly, especially in the beginning. It takes commitment and consistency to build trust and rapport.

But it’s ultimately your call. If you want to move to bi-weekly after a few months, that’s up to you.

How long we work together is up to you as well. I might recommend continuing or ending therapy based on your progress and goals. But you decide when you don’t need more sessions.

Some of my clients work with me for a few months as they navigate a difficult situation, while others have seen me as a helpful guide for years. Together, we will talk about what is most supportive to your ongoing growth and well-being.

How much does it cost?

My fee for a therapy session is $170 and will likely be reimbursed under most insurance plans. I accept credit card/debit card and HSA/FSA payments at the time of service.

I am considered “out-of-network” for all major insurance companies including Aetna, BlueCross, Cigna, Carefirst, and UHC. That means you pay the full fee at the time of service and can then choose to submit to your insurance for reimbursement through your out-of-network benefits.

The majority of clients have some out-of-network benefits, and benefits often cover 50 percent or more of my fee. You should check with your insurance to confirm.

I provide a Statement for Reimbursement (“superbill”) through a secure online portal to submit to your insurance company if you choose to seek reimbursement.

Your burnout therapist, Jeremy Mohler

Scheduling therapy for burnout in Washington, D.C., Silver Spring, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Baltimore, or other parts of Maryland

Click on the button below to fill out the form and I’ll reach out within 24 hours to set up a free introductory phone call. I’ll answer any questions you have, and if I’m not the right fit, I’ll help you find a therapist who is.