top of page
Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Holiday Burnout
The holidays do not need to be perfect. They only need to feel like yours | Inner Counsel Psychotherapy
Stefan Jurgens
Dec 5, 20253 min read
Beyond Work: Why Personal Growth Comes First
I worked late, checked emails over dinner, and took pride in always being available. From the outside it looked like commitment. In reality, I was drained. | Inner Counsel Psychotherapy
Stefan Jurgens
Oct 14, 20253 min read
Navigating Digital Brain Fog with Compassion and Mindfulness
Digital brain fog can leave us distracted, anxious, and drained. Mindfulness, self-compassion, and simple tech boundaries help restore focus, emotional balance, and meaningful connection in daily life. | Inner Counsel Psychotherapy
Stefan Jurgens
Oct 6, 20254 min read
Feeling The Heat: When Summer Feels Hard (It’s Not Just You)
Summer's pressure to be endlessly joyful often clashes with reality (heat, stress, obligations), creating strain. Understand why it happens & how to honour your needs for a truly restorative season. We talk about 'summertime' like it's all lemonade and lazy afternoons. But honestly, I'm just feeling burned out. The heat seems to amplify every little stress. Which makes me wonder: why does the season meant to recharge us often leave us feeling drained, overwhelmed, or just .
Stefan Jurgens
Jun 27, 20253 min read
When the Load's Too Heavy: Building Male Resilience Without Burnout
Men often avoid mental health support due to cultural stigma equating vulnerability with weakness. This post explores how reframing help-seeking as strength, through practical strategies and self-compassion, builds lasting resilience. I burned out. It wasn’t a dramatic crash, just deep exhaustion built up over time. I loved my work. Clients praised me, projects succeeded.... But the relentless pace and the ‘suck it up’ culture hollowed me out. Staring at my screen that day, i
Stefan Jurgens
Jun 23, 20253 min read
Your Secret Compass: Why Personal Values Shape Everything
Feeling lost in your own life? Your hidden values may hold the key. Discover the 5-minute exercise that helped me leave an unfulfilling career and reflect on what truly matters. The Unsettling Question That Changes Us I remember a teacher asking, "What do you value?" "Money!" someone shouted. "Sleep!" said another. We were kids, unaware of the weight of that question. Years later, it resurfaced as I stood at a career crossroads, wondering: What truly matters to me? That q
Stefan Jurgens
Jun 16, 20252 min read
Who Are You? Reconnect With Your Self
Healing begins when we’re seen, not for our roles or résumés, but for who we are beneath them. Therapy shouldn’t be another self-improvement project. It’s where you stop performing, exhale the ‘shoulds,’ and reconnect with the person you were before the world handed you a script. How I Work My practice centres on presence, curiosity, and compassion. Instead of rushing to solutions, I create a safe environment for you to slow down, hear your inner wisdom, and gently unravel st
Stefan Jurgens
May 1, 20252 min read
The Overthinking Trap: How to Reclaim Your Inner Wisdom and Thrive
Overthinking drains our energy and dims our potential. Learn why your mind races, how to reconnect with your innate resilience, and practical ways to trust yourself again.
Stefan Jurgens
Apr 24, 20253 min read
Declutter Your Mind: How Therapy Can Spark a Mental Reset This Spring
Feeling mentally cluttered after a long winter? Just like cleaning out your home, therapy helps clear emotional buildup, release old patterns, and refresh your mind. The Garage Epiphany This past weekend, I tackled my garage after months of winter buildup: clutter, broken things, stuff I swore I might need someday. As I sorted, it hit me: our minds do the same. We hold onto emotional "junk," including outdated beliefs, unresolved pain, and patterns we don't even notice anymor
Stefan Jurgens
Apr 14, 20252 min read
Sometimes We're Like Cats: We Hide When We Don't Feel Right
We took the cat to the vet today. It's never fun, but it's necessary. Cats don't complain. They don't have the vocabulary for it, not in a way we easily understand. Instead, they get quieter, more withdrawn. They hide. And since cats tolerate pain and discomfort better than we do, by the time we notice something's wrong, it's often been wrong for a while. People aren't that different. We don't always recognize when something's off. We don't always have the words to describe i
Stefan Jurgens
Apr 7, 20253 min read
The Perfectionism Paradox: A High Achiever’s Hidden Struggle
Perfectionism isn't about doing your best. It's about never feeling good enough. I know this firsthand. Maybe you can relate? Perfectionism isn't just about having high standards. It's about feeling like nothing is ever good enough. Consider the three types of perfectionism: Self-Oriented Perfectionism – Holding yourself to impossible standards and feeling like a failure when you fall short. Other-Oriented Perfectionism – Expecting perfection from others and struggling with
Stefan Jurgens
Feb 24, 20252 min read
Understanding Burnout: Causes, Impact, and Effective Solutions for Recovery
What is Burnout and How Does it Affect You? Burnout is a growing issue affecting professionals across various industries. It goes beyond personal stress and fatigue, often signalling deeper systemic problems within work environments and society. In this post, let's explore what burnout is, who it impacts, the causes behind it, and how individuals and organizations can take steps to address it. Whether you're experiencing burnout or seeking ways to prevent it, understanding it
Stefan Jurgens
Dec 23, 20244 min read
Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout During the Holiday Season
The holiday season is typically viewed as a period of joy, connection, and celebration. However, it's important to acknowledge that this time of year can also be overwhelming. With end-of-year work deadlines, financial pressures, family responsibilities, and the burden of unmet expectations, it's understandable that many of us experience stress, anxiety, or even burnout. Let's explore why this occurs, how to identify burnout, and ways to manage the holidays with a bit more ea
Stefan Jurgens
Dec 16, 20244 min read
Transforming Uncertainty: Strategies to Reduce Anxiety, Build Resilience, and Prevent Burnout
Uncertainty is a normal part of life, but it can trigger feelings of anxiety, anger, or depression. Events like global pandemics, natural disasters, or workplace and personal challenges can amplify these emotions. Our brain's hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) axis activates a stress response to evaluate potential threats. While behaviours like worrying, seeking reassurance, or staying hypervigilant may offer short-term comfort, excessive reliance on them can leave us feeling stuck
Stefan Jurgens
Dec 9, 20242 min read
Escaping Social Media Overload: Therapy Can Help You Reclaim Balance
Scrolling through an endless stream of opinions, updates, and news can leave us feeling drained or agitated. Social media algorithms amplify content tailored to our interests and beliefs, creating a digital echo chamber that blends personal relevance with popular trends. Over time, this social media overload can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, or even questioning our perception of reality. This phenomenon is known as “hyper-reality” and was described by French
Stefan Jurgens
Nov 12, 20242 min read
Looking for insight, guidance, or practical strategies to navigate life’s challenges?
This blog offers tools from therapy to help you manage burnout, heal from past wounds, and explore personal growth. You’ll find posts designed to foster emotional wellness, resilience, and a deeper connection with yourself and others.
Welcome to your journey toward self-discovery and meaningful change.
A Reminder: The content on this site is for general informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. It does not create a therapeutic relationship. For diagnosis or treatment, consult a licensed mental health professional.
Inner Counsel Psychotherapy Blog
bottom of page