My Book
"There is only one book on burnout that I will be recommending - this one. We need one in every office and every staff room around the world"
- Dr Julie Smith, Clinical Psychologist & Sunday Times best selling author of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before
Our human nervous system has the power to cope with high stress but not when it's been ground down by the relentless stimuli of today's world.
Over time, these persistent demands leave us burnt out because our nervous system is stuck in survival mode. In this mode, we have reduced capacity for rational thinking and less capacity to care. It becomes hard to make decisions, rest, solve problems, be mindful and set boundaries.
Drawing on polyvagal theory, compassion focused therapy, and my professional insights as a trauma therapist with 20 years experience in mental health, I've written this book to show you:
✅ Why stress is different from burnout
✅ How burnout stifles your ability to interact, think clearly and be productive or creative.
✅ Why you get stuck in burnout and cannot 'think' your way out of it or engage in activities you know could help you.
✅ The three key psychological patterns I see leading to burnout
✅ How to soothe your nervous system back to full capacity using therapeutic techniques and compassion.
By the end of this book, you will have tools to thrive amidst the challenges of modern life, at work, at home and through positive interactions and relationships.
A sample of Amazon reviews:
Frankie Bower 5.0 out of 5 stars A book full of gold
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 October 2024
I have been on the edge of burnout for such a long period of time, just getting though, but feeling disconnected. This book explains everything in such an accessible way, but with really insightful psychology. It gives you practical tools to be able to recognise where you’re at with your nervous system and strategies that you’ll actually use to try and help you move into “green” mode. One of the best books I’ve read for a very long time.
Jessica Lyne De Ver 5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2024
This book’s resonates so deeply with my experiences of parenthood, even though the book has a wider focus. It is clear, interestingly written and very informative. After realising that much of my life is led in the red and amber zones described in the book, the practical guides and suggestions given are so helpful. I have been practicing breathing techniques and tapping to get myself back into the green zone- and it has been really working. I’m so grateful to have this compassionate and practical guide out of burnout.
Aloe 5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable support during burnout
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 September 2024
This book is so compassionately written. Understanding polyvagal theory gave me the awareness and language I needed to help me identify what was going on and how to monitor myself going forward into recovery.
Learning about how your traits and your past experiences influence your behaviours was also insightful.
It is framed around a handful of clients and this gave the theory presented a real world connection. I saw myself in so many of those descriptions. I felt the author was speaking to me. Thank you, Claire, for a wonderful book. It’s helped me and will no doubt help countless others.
Amazon Customer 5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant helpful and compassionate read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 July 2024
I have really enjoyed this book and found it so helpful. This book takes really complex ideas and makes them straightforward. The book explains the polyvagal theory and the impact of stress and trauma both big and small on our bodies. Most importantly it helps reframe burnout as something caused by a nervous system being in a constant state of stress, rather than a person not trying hard enough. All of this is so relevant to everyone in this modern world. Most importantly Claire gives helpful and manageable strategies to begin to notice and take compassionate steps to manage burnout. This meant that the main feeling on reading this book is one of optimism and hope. The examples used are relatable and I found myself taking many useful things from this book for myself as well as those I support in my work. A brilliant read.