I’m passionate about helping sensitive therapists avoid burnout because I’m a sensitive therapist who burned out myself. After just one year as a clinical social worker at Community Mental Health, I couldn’t do it anymore. At the time, I thought the problem was me—that I just wasn’t cut out for the work. But looking back, I can see it was my high sensitivity and deep empathy (and my perfectionistic tendencies!) in such a traumatic environment that contributed to my burnout. I stayed at CMH for another three years but had to reduce my hours to part-time in order to gain my licensure. I realized that by staying in an environment that didn’t align with my strengths, I was sacrificing my health and wellbeing in order to help others
Once I became fully licensed, I worked in group practices and eventually opened my own private practice. I specialized in working with therapists and other helping professionals, focusing on therapist health and wellness—something I was very passionate about after my own experiences.
That first year, I was so overwhelmed that I began working with a life coach—desperate to find a way to make this career sustainable. What started as an attempt to survive my job opened up a new path. I eventually became certified as a life coach myself.
When I made the decision to prioritize my energy, lean into my natural gifts, and reshape my work to honor my sensitivity, everything shifted. I learned that when we create boundaries that support us, embrace the way we are naturally wired, and stop forcing ourselves into systems that drain us, we don’t just survive, we can truly thrive—both in our personal lives and in our work with clients.
This is why I do what I do. I know the pain of burnout, and I also know the freedom that comes from finding passion and alignment in our work. Sensitive therapists don’t need to change who they are to make this work more sustainable. But we do need to take ownership of creating an authentic, meaningful career path that honors our strengths.
To my fellow sensitive helpers, I say:
There’s more than one way to make a difference. If the career path laid out for you doesn’t feel aligned, it’s okay to rethink it. Together, we can uncover the path that feels most true to you.
My Education, Credentials, and Certifications:
Northern Michigan University, Bachelors Degree in Psychology
University of Michigan, Masters in Clinical Social Work
Invite Change, ICF (International Coaching Federation) Accredited Coach Training Program