Individual Counselling and Psychotherapy in Milton Keynes
Stress and Burnout Counselling in Milton Keynes and Online
Running on empty but can't seem to stop?
Lying awake going over tomorrow's to-do list, snapping at people you care about, or feeling flat and disconnected even when you finally get a break?
If that sounds familiar, you're not failing. Your nervous system has been working overtime for too long, and it's forgotten how to settle.
In our sessions we don't just talk about what's going on – we also work with your body, so it can learn that it's safe to settle again.
Signs you might be heading for burnout
- You can't switch off, even on holiday or at the weekend
- You're tired all the time, but sleep doesn't fix it
- Small things feel overwhelming or make you irritable
- You've stopped enjoying things you used to look forward to
- You feel detached, numb or like you're just going through the motions
- Headaches, tight shoulders or a churning stomach have become normal
Why it happens
When you're under pressure for a long time, your body stays on high alert: racing thoughts, a tight chest, always braced for the next thing. Eventually it can tip into shutdown, where you feel exhausted, flat and want to withdraw.
This isn't weakness. It's how the nervous system responds to threat. Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges) helps explain these states, and understanding them is often the first relief people feel.
I know this pressure first-hand
Before becoming a counsellor I spent nearly 20 years in IT leadership. I know what it's like to carry deadlines home and feel you can't afford to slow down.
I have particular experience supporting men, who often find it hardest to admit they're struggling, but I work with anyone who's feeling the strain.
How counselling can help
Together we'll:
- make sense of what your nervous system is doing and why
- notice the patterns and pressures that keep you stuck
- build practical ways to calm your system that fit into real life
- look at what needs to change, at work and beyond, so it doesn't happen again
As your system settles, it becomes easier to think clearly, sleep better and feel like yourself again.
What to expect
1
Free 20-minute chat
Online or in person, to talk about what's brought you here and whether we're a good fit.
2
Sessions
55 minutes, £60 – in person in Broughton Gate, Milton Keynes, or online anywhere in the UK.
3
Regular reviews
We check in regularly to make sure counselling is helping.
NCPS Accredited Counsellor · Polyvagal-Informed Practitioner
I’m not able to respond to messages urgently. If you’re in crisis, please call NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health), contact Samaritans free on 116 123, or call 999 in an emergency.