Sonya Cavanough - Counsellor
“I’m thankful that people reach out and don’t let themselves down the rabbit hole”
”Most people who consult do not know they are experiencing burnout. They feel stressed and think it comes from them and their private life. But the discussions quickly reveal that the workplace conditions are at the core of their suffering,” says Sonya Cavanough. She is a counsellor for Employee Assistance Programs and regularly supports professionals who show high levels of distress.
Sonya hears similar stories all the time. Her clients used to love their jobs. But, when they reach out to her, they hate working, their self-worth is damaged, and they feel stuck. They want to leave their job, but they need income.
It’s heartbreaking to hear how widely spread these stories are. Sonya’s clients often make the same comments, ”My manager just wants to tick the boxes. They don’t care about me.” In most cases, the essence of the problem is poor people skills, toxic narcissistic leadership, bullying or a lack of empathy. After those difficult experiences, employees lose trust in leadership and are reluctant to take another job.
”I’m thankful that they reach out and don’t let themselves down the rabbit hole,” Sonya says, ”When I explain that some behaviours in their workplace are toxic, it validates them.” Then Sonya helps her clients do small acts of self-care as small steps to rebuild their sense of self-worth. She guides them in establishing their boundaries and becoming more assertive. She has observed that, for those who resign, it releases all their stress.
”Get a plant out of the dark and into the right environment. It will start growing again,” Sonya concludes.
Advice to someone with burnout: ”Get the right help.”
Advice to a manager with a line report who presents signs of burnout: ”Ask them what you can do to help.”
Sonya Cavanough is a counsellor. She practices in the North of Sydney, Australia. (www.sccounsellingservices.com)
“Burnout is a sign that something needs to change”
- Sonya Cavanough