"You don't have to reach breaking point before asking for help — and you shouldn't have to sacrifice your wellbeing to succeed at work."
Are You Feeling Overwhelmed, Exhausted or Struggling to Switch Off From Work?
Do you find yourself constantly thinking about work, even when you're supposed to be relaxing?
Perhaps you're waking up feeling exhausted, dreading the working day or finding that the pressures of your job are beginning to affect your confidence, relationships and wellbeing.
You might feel under constant pressure to perform, struggle to say no or worry that you're never doing enough.
Maybe you've always been someone who works hard, takes responsibility and puts others first, but recently you've started to feel that you have nothing left to give.
Sometimes, work-related stress builds gradually. You may not recognise how much pressure you've been carrying until everyday tasks begin to feel overwhelming.
If this sounds familiar, you don't have to keep pushing yourself to breaking point.
At JP Counselling Group Practice, we offer compassionate, professional counselling for work-related stress and burnout in Hull, Hedon and East Yorkshire, as well as online across the UK.
Our counsellors provide a confidential, supportive space to explore what's happening, understand how stress is affecting you and develop healthier ways of managing the demands of work and everyday life.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
Work-related stress can develop when the demands placed upon you feel greater than the resources, support or control you have available to manage them.
This may involve excessive workloads, unrealistic expectations, workplace conflict, uncertainty about your job or the pressure to meet constantly changing demands.
Over time, prolonged workplace stress can affect your emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing.
Burnout is more than simply feeling tired after a difficult week.
The World Health Organization describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
It is commonly characterised by:
Emotional and physical exhaustion: Feeling drained, depleted or unable to recover your energy.
Mental distance or negativity towards work: Becoming increasingly detached, cynical or frustrated with your job.
Reduced professional effectiveness: Feeling less confident, productive or capable in your working role.
Although burnout specifically relates to the workplace, its effects can extend into your personal life, relationships and overall wellbeing.
Burnout is not classified as a medical condition in itself, but prolonged stress may occur alongside anxiety, depression or other health difficulties.
Work-related stress does not always look like someone who is visibly struggling.
You might continue meeting deadlines, supporting colleagues and fulfilling responsibilities while feeling increasingly overwhelmed internally.
You may recognise some of the following experiences:
Constant worry and overthinking: Replaying conversations, worrying about mistakes or thinking about work during evenings and weekends.
Emotional exhaustion: Feeling mentally drained, irritable or overwhelmed by tasks you previously managed comfortably.
Difficulty switching off: Checking emails outside working hours or feeling unable to relax without guilt.
Loss of motivation: Struggling to find enjoyment, purpose or satisfaction in your work.
Self-criticism and perfectionism: Setting unrealistic standards and feeling that nothing you do is ever good enough.
People-pleasing and difficulty saying no: Taking on additional responsibilities because you fear disappointing others.
Reduced confidence: Doubting your abilities, questioning decisions or worrying about how colleagues perceive you.
Physical symptoms: Experiencing headaches, muscle tension, digestive difficulties, disrupted sleep or persistent tiredness.
Withdrawal and disconnection: Becoming less interested in social activities, relationships or hobbies.
Feeling trapped: Wanting things to change but feeling uncertain about what to do next.
You do not need to experience all these symptoms to benefit from counselling.
Recognising that something needs to change is an important first step towards protecting your wellbeing.
There is rarely one simple explanation for work-related stress.
For some people, the difficulties are connected to their working environment, including excessive demands, poor management, workplace bullying, lack of support or job insecurity.
For others, personal expectations and long-standing patterns can add to the pressure.
You may have learned to believe that your value comes from working hard, being dependable or always meeting other people's needs.
Perhaps making mistakes feels threatening, or you find it difficult to set boundaries because you worry about being judged or rejected.
Past experiences can sometimes influence how we respond to authority, criticism, conflict and expectations.
These patterns may contribute to feeling constantly responsible, alert or under pressure.
Importantly, workplace stress is not always a problem with your ability to cope. Sometimes the working environment itself needs to change.
Counselling can help you distinguish between what is within your control and what may require changes in your working circumstances.
When we experience pressure or perceive a threat, our body's stress response becomes activated.
This can increase alertness, heart rate and muscle tension as the nervous system prepares us to respond to challenges.
In the short term, these responses can be helpful.
However, when workplace pressures continue over long periods, you may find it difficult to relax and recover.
You might experience:
Feeling constantly on edge or alert.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Racing thoughts or persistent worry.
Increased irritability or emotional sensitivity.
Exhaustion and difficulty finding motivation.
Feeling emotionally disconnected or withdrawn.
Understanding how stress affects your body can help you recognise early warning signs and develop appropriate strategies to support emotional regulation.
Counselling may include exploring breathing, grounding, body awareness and ways of responding to stress before it becomes overwhelming.
These approaches can support coping, but they do not replace the need to address harmful or unsustainable workplace conditions.
At JP Counselling, we recognise that work-related stress can affect far more than your working day.
It can influence your confidence, relationships, sense of identity and ability to enjoy life outside work.
Our counsellors offer a supportive, non-judgemental environment where you can explore your experiences and begin identifying what needs to change.
Counselling may help you to:
Understand the Causes of Your Stress
Explore workplace pressures, personal expectations and emotional patterns that may be contributing to feeling overwhelmed.
Recognise Early Warning Signs of Burnout
Develop awareness of emotional, physical and behavioural changes that indicate your stress levels are becoming difficult to manage.
Reduce Perfectionism and Self-Criticism
Explore the pressure to perform, fear of making mistakes and beliefs that you must constantly prove your worth.
Develop Healthier Boundaries
Learn to recognise your limits, express your needs and explore ways to say no without excessive guilt.
Manage Anxiety and Overthinking
Develop strategies to respond differently to worry, rumination and fears about work performance.
Improve Emotional Regulation
Explore grounding, self-awareness and practical approaches that may help you manage difficult emotions and stress responses.
Rebuild Confidence and Self-Esteem
Reconnect with your strengths, recognise your achievements and develop a more balanced view of yourself.
Restore Work-Life Balance
Explore ways to protect time for rest, relationships, interests and activities outside work.
Reconnect With Your Identity and Values
Consider what matters to you beyond your working role and explore whether your current circumstances align with your needs and values.
Make Informed Decisions About Your Future
Whether you're considering changes within your existing role, returning to work after absence or exploring a different direction, counselling can provide space to understand your options.
The aim is not simply to help you tolerate more pressure, but to support you in finding a healthier and more sustainable way forward.
At JP Counselling Group Practice, our counsellors draw on person-centred, integrative and other approaches according to their individual training, experience and your needs.
We believe meaningful therapeutic work begins with feeling genuinely heard, accepted and understood.
Rather than focusing solely on stress-management techniques, we aim to understand the experiences, feelings and patterns that may be contributing to your difficulties.
Depending on your needs and the counsellor's training, our work may include:
Person-centred counselling: Providing an empathic and non-judgemental therapeutic relationship where you can explore your experiences openly.
Experiential counselling: Helping you become more aware of emotions, personal meanings and internal responses connected to work pressures.
Compassion-focused approaches: Exploring self-criticism, perfectionism and the development of a kinder relationship with yourself.
Somatic awareness: Recognising physical signs of stress and exploring grounding and regulation techniques.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-informed strategies: Identifying personal values, exploring psychological flexibility and taking meaningful steps towards change.
Cognitive and behavioural strategies: Where appropriate, exploring unhelpful thought patterns, beliefs and behaviours that may contribute to stress.
Practical coping and boundary-setting strategies: Developing manageable ways to address everyday pressures, restore balance and communicate needs.
We tailor our approach to your individual circumstances rather than expecting you to fit a particular model of counselling.
Prolonged workplace stress can occur alongside anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties and other mental health concerns.
You may find yourself feeling hopeless, experiencing panic attacks or struggling to manage everyday activities.
If your symptoms are persistent, worsening or significantly affecting your functioning, it may be helpful to speak with your GP.
Where appropriate, counselling can form part of a wider support plan alongside medical advice, workplace adjustments or occupational health services.
If your difficulties involve bullying, harassment, discrimination or unsafe working conditions, additional workplace or employment advice may also be appropriate.
At JP Counselling, we can explore your circumstances and consider whether our counselling service is suitable for your needs.
Beginning counselling can feel daunting, especially if you're someone who is used to coping independently or supporting others.
Our first session provides an opportunity to understand what you're experiencing and what you would like help with.
We may explore:
Your current work situation and the pressures you're experiencing.
How stress is affecting your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Your relationships, responsibilities and life outside work.
Any personal expectations or patterns you would like to understand.
Your hopes and goals for counselling.
Whether additional support or workplace adjustments may be appropriate.
Confidentiality, safeguarding and how counselling sessions work.
You don't need to arrive with all the answers or know exactly what needs to change.
We can begin wherever you are and work together at a pace that feels manageable.
Perhaps you've spent years being the dependable one, the person who takes on extra responsibilities or the colleague everyone turns to.
You may have become so accustomed to putting work and other people's needs first that you've lost sight of your own wellbeing.
When work becomes overwhelming, it can be easy to feel that you're failing or simply not coping well enough.
At JP Counselling Group Practice, we understand that experiencing stress or burnout does not define your ability, worth or future.
We offer a compassionate space where you can explore what has been happening, reconnect with your needs and consider what a healthier balance might look like.
You deserve a life where your wellbeing matters just as much as your responsibilities.
Can counselling help with work-related stress?
Yes. Counselling can help you explore the emotional and psychological effects of workplace stress, understand contributing factors and develop healthier coping strategies, boundaries and ways of responding to pressure.
Is burnout the same as depression?
No. Burnout specifically relates to chronic workplace stress, while depression is a mental health condition that can affect many areas of life. Some symptoms overlap, and a person may experience both. If you are unsure about your symptoms, an assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional can help.
What if I feel guilty taking time off work?
Feelings of guilt can be common, particularly if you have high personal expectations or feel responsible for others. Counselling can help you explore these feelings and develop a more balanced understanding of your needs and responsibilities.
Can counselling help if I'm being bullied at work?
Counselling can provide emotional support and help you explore the impact of workplace bullying. However, it does not replace appropriate workplace procedures, employment advice or practical action to address harmful behaviour.
Can counselling help me return to work after stress-related absence?
Counselling may support your confidence, emotional wellbeing and adjustment when returning to work. Where needed, this can complement guidance from your GP, employer or occupational health professional.
How many counselling sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number. Some people find shorter-term counselling helpful, while others benefit from more time to explore longstanding patterns and experiences. We can review your goals and progress together.
Will my employer know I'm attending counselling?
If you arrange and pay for private counselling yourself, we do not ordinarily inform your employer. Your counsellor will explain confidentiality, its limits and how your information is handled.
Can I have counselling online?
Yes. We offer online counselling across the UK where suitable, as well as face-to-face sessions in Hull and Hedon.
When work-related stress becomes overwhelming, it can feel difficult to imagine things changing.
You may feel exhausted, trapped or uncertain about what you need.
You don't have to wait until you're completely burnt out before seeking support.
Counselling offers an opportunity to understand what's happening, recognise your needs and begin exploring healthier ways forward.
At JP Counselling Group Practice, we provide a compassionate, confidential environment where you can feel heard and supported.
Individual counselling from £60 per session.
Face-to-face appointments in Hull and Hedon, with online counselling available across the UK.
We offer a free 15-minute introductory conversation to discuss your needs, answer your questions and explore whether counselling is right for you.
Contact JP Counselling Group Practice to arrange your free introductory conversation.
Working Together – Changing Your Future.