Something’s gotta give… 

and it can’t be you!  So much rests on your shoulders.

Others are counting on you, and you want to do your very best.  But you feel like you’re treading water without a life jacket, and you’re getting really tired.

Living in a chronic state of overwhelm and burnout can really damage your life.  But when it feels like there’s no alternative, what can you do?

Here’s where therapy can help.

Hi!  I’m Ann Stoneson, a therapist in Athens, GA.  I specialize in helping parents, people-pleasers, college students, and neurodivergent folks (ADHD, autism, etc).

I offer trauma counseling and individual therapy for adults.  People of all races, genders, faiths, sexualities, abilities, and sizes are most welcome in my practice.

These are trying times– it’s good you’re reaching out for support.

The burden of burnout

This is one of the tricky things about burnout.

No matter how much you do, it never feels like enough.  And it’s not like you aren’t trying!

It’s just that even your best doesn’t seem to matter.

The tasks of life are repeating and relentless.  Work keeps piling up, and it feels impossible to put a dent in anything.  Even when you make progress, there’s always more to do—so is it really even progress?

It’s hard not to feel like a failure.

The worst part of it is when someone tells you to just take a break.

If it were that easy, you would have figured it out ages ago.  But if you try to take a break, you still feel keyed up and stressed about the work you’re not doing.

There are some situations that a nap or an afternoon of gaming won’t fix.

Athens, GA therapist for burnout

I work with people from all walks of life.  At first glance, my clinical specialties might not make much sense:  parents, people pleasers, college students, and neurodivergent folks.

But if there’s one thing that my clients tend to have in common, it’s this:  they are burned out and their to-do lists are out of control.

The day to day demands might look different, but the recipe is much the same:

high expectations + sensitive nervous systems + little to no support -> chronic overwhelm = burn out

If you knew how to fix things, you would have done it by now.

That’s not an accusation—it’s just the truth.

If you’re tired of being buried under your to-do list, you’re in the right spot.

I’ve lived under the regime of the oppressive to-do list, too.  And I’ve done enough of my own therapy to see just how powerful that healing can be.

My mission is to help my clients get bigger confidence, better boundaries, and a sense of safety and satisfaction in their relationships.  Once you understand your inner workings, you will have more options and more control over your life.

Your never-ending to-do list doesn’t have to run things.  And let’s not forget:  you are so much more than what you do.  Did anyone ever tell you that growing up?

Finding a therapist might feel like one more thing on the to-do list, I know.

Taking one hour a week in therapy to put real changes into practice in your life can tip the scales in your favor.  It can make the difference between being overworked and overwhelmed vs having the space to know and pursue your heart’s desires.

Put down the to-do list and let’s talk.

Getting started in therapy

I offer sessions conveniently located in downtown Athens, not far from campus.  You can schedule your free, half hour consultation here.  Or, you can take a peek at these testimonials or learn a bit more about talk therapy and EMDR therapy before deciding to get started.

Yes, you can use your HSA account to pay for your therapy, and I’m an out-of-network provider for insurance companies.  Get more answers to common questions about fees, insurance, and scheduling here.

I believe that systemic oppression is a form of collective trauma that impacts everyone.  I believe that #blacklivesmatter.  I am LGBTQ+ affirming.

I am committed to practicing therapy in a way that is socially aware, anti-racist, and mindful of systems that oppress some and privilege others.  Our mental health is shaped by the systems that we participate in, from families to societies.  As an out-of-network provider, I do not engage in balance billing practices.  To learn more about federal and state protections and guidelines against balance billing, go here.