Managing Stress and Burnout: Tools from a Registered Counsellor in Coquitlam
Chronic stress and burnout are increasingly common concerns that can impact both mental and physical health—but they are not the same. While stress is often a temporary response to specific pressures, burnout is a more serious condition that develops over time and can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and decreased functioning. At our counselling practice, we help clients recognize the difference between stress and burnout and provide personalized therapy and mental health support to promote long-term resilience, balance, and well-being.
In today’s fast-paced world, stress is more than just an occasional inconvenience—it’s something many of us live with every day. Whether it’s work pressure, parenting challenges, or emotional fatigue, stress can build up and lead to burnout. As registered counsellors in Coquitlam, we see how chronic stress can impact mental, emotional, and physical health. But the good news is: support and relief are possible.
What’s the Difference Between Stress and Burnout?
Stress is your body’s natural response to pressure. It can be short-term (like preparing for a big meeting) or chronic (such as constant job demands). Stress often feels like you’re juggling too much—but still hopeful that you can manage it.
Burnout, on the other hand, is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It’s more than just feeling tired—it’s feeling depleted, disconnected, and numb. Common signs of burnout include:
Chronic fatigue or lack of motivation
Feeling emotionally drained
Increased irritability or detachment
Reduced performance or productivity
Trouble sleeping or frequent illness
If you relate to these signs, know that you’re not alone—and there are proven strategies that can help.
Tools to Manage Stress and Prevent Burnout
Here are several therapist-recommended strategies you can begin using today:
1. Set Healthy Boundaries
Saying “no” can be difficult, especially for people who are highly driven or empathetic. But without clear boundaries, we overextend ourselves. Begin by identifying your limits and communicating them clearly—both at work and at home.
2. Schedule Rest—Not Just Sleep
Intentional rest isn’t laziness—it’s essential. Create time in your week for things that recharge you: reading, walking in nature, listening to music, or simply doing nothing.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you reconnect with the present moment, instead of ruminating over the past or worrying about the future. Try short mindfulness exercises like:
Deep breathing (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 6)
Body scans to check in with how you’re feeling
Mindful walks where you notice your surroundings intentionally
4. Recognize and Challenge Negative Thoughts
Burnout often comes with self-critical or hopeless thoughts like “I can’t keep up” or “I’m not doing enough.” A counsellor can help you recognize these thought patterns and learn healthier ways of thinking through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques.
5. Seek Support—You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Talking to a trained professional can provide relief, perspective, and a plan to move forward. Counselling offers a safe space to process what you’re going through, identify stressors, and build resilience.
How Counselling Can Help
At our Coquitlam counselling practice, we support individuals experiencing stress and burnout through a compassionate, evidence-based approach. Whether you’re overwhelmed by work, struggling with emotional exhaustion, or simply feeling “not yourself,” therapy can help you reconnect with your strengths and develop tools for lasting change.
Some of the approaches we use include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Solution-Focused Therapy
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) for relationship-related stress
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re feeling burnt out or overwhelmed, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team of Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) in Coquitlam offers individual counselling both in-person and online, tailored to your unique needs.
Located in the heart of Coquitlam and proudly serving the Tri-Cities area, we’re here to support your journey to wellness.
Book a Free Consultation Today
You deserve support, rest, and balance. Learn more about our counsellors or schedule a free phone consultation and take the first step toward feeling better.
Finding the Right Counsellor: A Quick Guide
How to Choose the Right Counsellor: Find clarity, connection, and the support that’s right for you.
Choosing a counsellor is one of the most important steps in your mental health journey. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, or personal growth, the right counselling relationship can make all the difference. But with so many options out there, how do you know who’s the right fit?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key considerations to help you choose the right counsellor for your needs.
1. Understand Why You’re Seeking Counselling
Before you begin your search, take a moment to reflect on what you’re hoping to get out of counselling. Are you looking for help with a specific issue like grief or stress? Do you need someone with expertise in trauma-informed care or neurodiversity? Knowing what you're seeking will help narrow down your choices.
2. Check Qualifications and Experience
Not all counsellors are the same. Look for someone who is professionally trained, registered with a recognized body (such as the BCACC), and has experience working with the concerns you’re facing. Don’t hesitate to ask about their background, areas of expertise, or counselling approach.
3. Consider Their Counselling Style and Approach
Counselling can take many forms — Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Client-Centered Therapy, and more. Some counsellors are more directive, while others focus on reflective listening and emotional support. Read about their approach and ask yourself whether that style resonates with you.
4. Think About Practical Factors
Logistics matter. Consider:
Location – Do you prefer in-person sessions or online counselling?
Availability – Can they accommodate your schedule?
Cost – Does the session fee align with your budget?
The right counsellor will meet you where you are both practically and emotionally.
5. Trust the Connection
No matter how qualified a counsellor is, the relationship matters most. Do you feel heard, understood, and safe? The therapeutic alliance (the connection between client and counsellor) is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in counselling.
Many counsellors offer a free initial phone consultation. Use this time to ask questions, share what you're hoping for, and get a sense of whether the connection feels right.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Change Counsellors
If you’ve started counselling and it doesn’t feel like a good fit, that’s okay. Finding the right counsellor is sometimes a process. You deserve a space where you feel respected, understood, and supported.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right counsellor can feel overwhelming, but it’s a powerful act of self-care. Take your time, trust your instincts, and remember that you are worthy of support that truly meets your needs.
If you're ready to explore counselling options and want to learn more about our counsellors’ approaches click here. To book an initial consultation with any of our counsellors click here. We’re here to help you find clarity, healing, and growth — at your pace.
What Are the Real Benefits of EMDR Therapy? Here’s What to Know
Struggling to move past old memories or anxious thoughts? EMDR therapy offers a unique, research-backed way to help your brain heal from emotional wounds. In this post, we break down benefits of EMDR and why so many people are turning to it for relief, clarity, and lasting change.
If you've been dealing with anxiety, trauma, or just feel stuck emotionally, you might’ve heard about EMDR therapy. At first glance, it might sound a little odd, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?
But don’t let the technical name fool you. EMDR is actually a powerful (and surprisingly approachable) way to work through tough experiences and get some real relief. Let's break it down and talk about the actual, real-life benefits of EMDR.
So What Is EMDR?
It’s a therapy method that helps your brain reprocess traumatic or distressing memories in a healthier way so they don’t have the same emotional charge they once did. It’s like your brain’s way of finally finishing the “processing” on experiences it got stuck on.
Think of EMDR like your brain’s way of clearing out old emotional “files” that never quite got closed properly. These can be anything from a traumatic event to a smaller, painful memory that still lingers.
During an EMDR session, a therapist helps you revisit the memory in a safe, controlled way while using bilateral stimulation with eye movements, tapping, or sounds. It’s not magic, but it’s pretty amazing how effective it can be.
The Benefits of EMDR (And Why People Swear by It)
1. You Don’t Have to Talk Through Everything
This is one of the reasons many people love EMDR. Unlike traditional talk therapy, you don’t have to explain every detail of what happened. EMDR focuses more on how the memory feels and helps your brain process it in the background.
If you’re not ready (or just not the talky type), this can be a huge relief.
2. It Can Work Faster Than Traditional Talk Therapy
Some people notice changes after just a few sessions. Of course, everyone’s different, but EMDR often helps people feel real progress a lot quicker than they expected especially when it comes to old trauma or deeply rooted beliefs.
3. It’s Not Just for Trauma
While EMDR is best known for helping with PTSD, it can also used for many other presenting issues such as:
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Phobias
Grief
Low self-worth
Stress from difficult relationships
Negative self-beliefs
Basically, if there’s a memory or belief that feels “stuck” and keeps messing with your present, EMDR might help loosen its grip.
4. You Can Finally Feel Free From the Past
One of the most powerful benefits of EMDR is how it helps you change your relationship with painful memories. After working through them, most people say the memories are still there, but they don’t hurt anymore, they have less “emotional charge” and they are not triggered by them in the same way.
5. It Builds Real Resilience
EMDR doesn’t just help you heal old wounds, it also helps you feel more grounded in who you are now. You might find it easier to handle stress, be present in your relationships, and stop second-guessing yourself all the time.
Thinking About Trying It?
The idea of therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before (or had a bad experience in the past). But EMDR is different and worth considering if you’re tired of carrying around the same emotional weight.
The benefits of EMDR go beyond just “feeling better.” It’s about understanding your past, making peace with it, and finally moving forward.
Will AI Replace Counsellors? Why Human Connection Still Matters in Therapy
As AI technology advances, many wonder if it could ever replace the human connection at the heart of counselling. Explore what makes counselling uniquely human—and where AI fits in.
People have asked me whether I think AI will replace counsellors one day. It’s an understandable question in today’s world, where AI is showing up in everything from chatbots and virtual assistants to therapy apps and online wellness tools. As someone who values both innovation and human connection, I think it’s important to look at this honestly—what AI can offer, where it falls short, and why human counsellors are still irreplaceable.
AI is already making a meaningful contribution in the mental health space. For instance, AI-powered apps can help people track their mood, practice mindfulness, or access coping strategies around the clock. These tools can be especially useful between sessions or for those who may not have immediate access to a therapist. In some cases, AI can also support clinicians by analyzing patterns in journaling or speech, offering insights that may help guide treatment. And of course, automating administrative tasks like scheduling or sending out intake forms can free up more time for therapists to focus on direct client work.
But while AI has its place, it also has important limitations—especially when it comes to the depth and nuance required for meaningful therapeutic work. AI doesn’t truly empathize. It can mimic understanding through pre-programmed language, but it doesn’t feel or intuit the way a human does. It doesn’t pick up on the subtle cues in a client’s voice or body language. And most importantly, it can’t offer the kind of relational experience that therapy depends on.
Counselling is not just about strategies or problem-solving; it’s about being in a safe, trusting relationship where you feel seen, heard, and supported. Real transformation often happens not through advice, but through connection—with someone who can sit with your story, hold your pain, and help you make meaning of your experience. That kind of connection can’t be programmed.
There are also concerns about how AI responds in moments of emotional crisis. A trained counsellor knows how to assess risk, stay grounded in moments of intensity, and provide thoughtful, human-centered support. AI, while improving, is not equipped to make those same kinds of judgments with the care or responsibility that real people can.
So, will AI replace counsellors? I don’t believe it will—or that it should. AI can be a helpful tool, an added layer of support, or a way to expand access to mental health resources. But it will never take the place of what makes therapy truly healing: the relationship. At its core, therapy is about connection. And no matter how advanced technology becomes, the power of human empathy, presence, and understanding is something only another person can offer.