How do I know if what I'm experiencing is burnout?

Burnout can feel like more than being tired. You may feel physically or emotionally depleted, overwhelmed by things you used to manage, increasingly irritable or numb, or like you're simply going through the motions. You may still be getting everything done, but it takes more out of you than it used to and you never seem to feel fully caught up or restored.

Can I be burned out even if I'm still functioning and getting things done?

Yes. Burnout doesn't always mean you can't function. You may still be working, caring for others, meeting deadlines, and handling responsibilities while feeling completely depleted underneath. In fact, being able to keep pushing through can make burnout harder to recognize until the ways you've always managed things stop working as well as they used to.

Why can't I relax even when I finally have time to?

When you've spent a long time staying ready, responsible, and focused on what needs to happen next, slowing down may not automatically feel restful. Your mind may keep running through unfinished tasks, anticipating problems, or reminding you of what you should be doing. We can get curious about what makes putting that responsibility down feel so difficult.

Why does everything feel harder than it used to?

When you've been carrying too much for too long, even ordinary demands can begin to feel overwhelming. Things that once felt manageable may take more energy, patience, or concentration than you have available. That doesn't necessarily mean you've suddenly become less capable. It may be a sign that you've been operating without enough room to recover for a long time.

Can burnout make me feel anxious, irritable, or emotionally numb?

Yes. Burnout can show up as exhaustion, but it can also leave you feeling anxious, impatient, easily overwhelmed, emotionally reactive, or disconnected from what you feel. Some women notice they cry more easily, while others feel like they can't feel much of anything at all.

What if I know I need something to change but don't have the energy to figure out what?

You don't need to know what needs to change before coming to therapy. In fact, figuring that out can be part of the work. We can start with what's feeling hardest right now and gradually make sense of what's been taking so much out of you, without turning therapy into another thing you have to get right.

How can therapy help with burnout?

Therapy isn't about helping you become more efficient at carrying everything. We'll look at the pressure, expectations, and patterns that have kept you pushing through, including what can make it difficult to slow down, ask for support, or make room for yourself. From there, we can work toward a way of living that feels more sustainable and includes you in it, too.

Do you offer online burnout therapy in Toronto and across Ontario?

Yes. I offer online burnout therapy for women in Toronto and across Ontario through secure video sessions. You can attend from a private space that feels comfortable and works for you.

What if I’m too exhausted to start therapy?

You don't need to arrive with lots of energy, know exactly what you want to work on, or have the right words. You can come as you are. We can start wherever you are and move at a pace that feels manageable.

What is the difference between burnout and depression?

The World Health Organization describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon caused by long-term workplace stress, rather than a medical condition. Depression is a diagnosable condition that affects mood across every part of life. The two share symptoms such as exhaustion and low motivation and can happen together. If you are unsure which you are experiencing, we can talk it through, and I may suggest a visit to your family doctor as well.

How long does burnout recovery take?

Recovery depends on how long you have been depleted and what is still asking for your energy. Some women notice changes within a few months of regular sessions, and longer patterns take more time. We will check in regularly about how therapy is going.

Do I need to take time off work to recover from burnout?

Some people take a leave and many keep working while they recover. We can look at what is realistic for you, and if a leave makes sense, your family doctor can help with the medical side.

How much does burnout therapy cost, and is it covered by insurance?

Individual sessions are $175 for 60 minutes. Most extended health plans in Ontario cover sessions with a Registered Social Worker, and I provide a receipt after each session.

Online Therapy in Ontario for Women and Couples

I'm Jennifer Bartok, a Registered Social Worker based in Toronto. I offer online therapy to women and couples anywhere in Ontario through secure video sessions, so you can meet with me from home, from a quiet office or from any private space where you can speak freely.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

Therapy that fits into the life you already have

Many of the women I work with already have very full days. There are jobs, children, aging parents, partners and a long list of things that only seem to get done when they do them. Adding a commute, parking and a waiting room to that list can be enough to put therapy off for another year.

Online therapy removes the travel. You can finish a meeting, close the door and start your session a few minutes later. If you live outside the city, or in a town where you might run into your therapist at the grocery store, video sessions also give you access to care without those trade-offs.

Some people also find it easier to talk about difficult things from their own space, with their own blanket and a cup of tea beside them. That comfort can make the first few sessions feel less formal and help you settle in sooner.

How online therapy works

Book a free 15-minute video consultation. We talk briefly about what brings you to therapy, you can ask any questions you have, and together we decide whether working together feels like a good fit.
Schedule your first session. Before we meet, I send you a secure link for the video session along with information about confidentiality and consent to review.
Join from a private space. A phone, tablet or computer with a camera works well. Headphones help keep the conversation private and make it easier to hear each other.
Continue at a pace that suits you. Individual sessions are 60 minutes. Most clients begin weekly or every two weeks, and we adjust the timing as things change.

What I help with

Anxiety. Constant worry, overthinking, trouble sleeping and a body that has a hard time settling. Learn more about online anxiety therapy in Ontario.

Burnout. Exhaustion that lasts even after a full night's sleep, along with irritability, numbness or the sense that everything takes more effort than it should. Learn more about burnout therapy.

Overwhelm. The feeling of having too much to hold at once, with little room left for what you need. Learn more about therapy for overwhelm.

Relationships. Couples who keep having the same argument, feel distant from each other or want to reconnect after a hard season. Learn more about online couples therapy.

Is online therapy as helpful as meeting in person?

Research on video therapy has found that it can help as much as in-person sessions for many common concerns, including anxiety and depression. One of the strongest predictors of progress in therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist, and that relationship can grow over video in the same way it does in an office.

There are a few situations where in-person care may suit you better, such as when you have no private space to talk or when you need more support than weekly sessions can offer. If that comes up during our consultation, I will tell you and help you think through other options.

Making your space private

A little planning can make online sessions feel more comfortable:

Choose a room with a door that closes, or use a parked car if home is full.
Wear headphones so only you can hear what I say.
Place a fan or a white noise machine outside the door if you share walls with family or roommates.
Silence notifications on your device before we start.
Keep water and tissues nearby.

If finding privacy at home is difficult, let me know. We can plan around it together, including choosing session times when your home is quieter.

My approach

My work is grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an attachment-based approach that helps you understand the emotions and patterns underneath what you are struggling with. I am trained in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). I also draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Therapy when they fit what you need.

Sessions move at a pace that feels manageable. We start with what is hardest right now and build from there. You can read more about me and my training.

Who I see

I work with adult women and with couples who live in Ontario. Because I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (Registration No. 824004), I can offer therapy to clients who are located in Ontario at the time of each session.

Clients join me from Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton, Ottawa, Kitchener, Waterloo, London, Barrie, Kingston and many smaller communities across the province.

Fees and insurance

Individual sessions are 60 minutes and cost $175. Ongoing couples sessions are 60 minutes and cost $225. As a Registered Social Worker, I provide receipts that many extended health plans accept for reimbursement. You can find full details on the therapy fees and insurance page.

You can live anywhere in Ontario. All sessions take place online, so your location within the province does not affect how we work together.
You need a phone, tablet or computer with a camera, a stable internet connection and a private place to talk. Headphones are helpful but optional.
Yes. Sessions take place over a secure video platform, and I follow the same confidentiality standards that apply to in-person therapy under my professional college. I explain the limits of confidentiality before our first session so you know exactly how your information is protected.
Yes. Partners can join from the same room or from separate locations. Many couples find it easier to slow down and listen to each other when they are at home together.
Book a free 15-minute video consultation. It gives you a chance to ask questions and get a sense of what working together would feel like before you commit to a first session.

faqs

Frequently asked questions

BOOK FREE CONSULT

Start with a free consultation

If you have been thinking about therapy for a while, a short conversation is an easy place to begin. I would be glad to hear what is on your mind and help you decide what kind of support makes sense.