Parenting Burnout Therapy Vancouver | Support for Overwhelmed Parents
You're not a bad parent. You're burned out. There's a difference.
You love your children. And you're exhausted in a way that sleep doesn't fix.
You're managing everyone's schedules, emotions, and needs while your own tank stays empty. The mental load is crushing. The sensory overload is constant. You want to be patient, but you're past your limit.
Maybe you're parenting a child with ADHD, autism, or big emotions. Maybe you're an ADHD parent yourself. Either way, your nervous system is depleted and you're running on fumes.
This isn't regular parenting stress. This is parenting burnout - and it's different.
I specialize in helping overwhelmed parents understand nervous system depletion and rebuild capacity from the inside out. This isn't about handling more stress. It's about understanding what's actually happening and what restores you.
What Is Parenting Burnout?
Parenting burnout is nervous system depletion. It's what happens when you're consistently operating beyond your capacity with no time to rebuild.
Parenting burnout shows up as:
✓ Chronic exhaustion that doesn't improve even when you sleep
✓ Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from your kids
✓ Increased irritability and rage over small things
✓ Sensory overload from normal parenting sounds, touch, and needs
✓ Difficulty feeling joy or looking forward to anything
✓ Fantasizing about escape more than usual
✓ Guilt and shame for not enjoying parenting like you "should"
✓ Decision fatigue - every choice feels impossible
This is your nervous system sending distress signals. You're not failing. You're depleted.
Can Parenting Cause Burnout?
Yes. Absolutely.
Parenting burnout is well-documented in research. It's not a sign of weakness, bad parenting, or not loving your kids enough. It's a systemic issue that happens when:
The demands exceed your capacity
Parenting requires emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory tolerance, and constant decision-making. When demands consistently exceed your nervous system capacity, you burn out.
You're the default parent
If you're carrying the mental load (remembering, planning, coordinating), the invisible labor depletes you faster than physical tasks.
You're parenting neurodivergent or highly sensitive children
Kids with ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, or big emotions require more nervous system regulation from you. Their dysregulation triggers yours.
You're a neurodivergent parent yourself
ADHD parents have less executive functioning and emotional regulation capacity. Parenting demands exceed that capacity faster.
You don't have adequate support
Humans aren't meant to parent alone. When you lack practical, emotional, or community support, burnout is almost inevitable.
Loving your children and being burned out can exist at the same time. This is not a parenting failure. This is a capacity issue.
Parenting Burnout When You Have ADHD
If you're an ADHD parent, you're at higher risk for burnout because:
Executive functioning is harder
Managing schedules, meals, logistics, and the daily demands of parenting requires executive functioning that ADHD brains struggle with.
Emotional regulation is more difficult
When your child has big emotions, your ADHD brain gets dysregulated faster and has a harder time coming back down.
Sensory overload happens faster
Normal parenting sounds (whining, crying, yelling) and touch (grabbing, clinging) can overwhelm ADHD nervous systems quickly.
Time blindness creates stress
You lose track of time, misjudge how long tasks take, and end up constantly rushing, which depletes your nervous system.
You feel guilty for your ADHD
You worry your ADHD is affecting your kids negatively, which adds shame on top of depletion.
I specialize in helping ADHD parents understand their nervous systems and build regulation strategies that work for their brains.
When Your Child Has ADHD, Autism, or Big Emotions
Parenting neurodivergent or highly sensitive children brings unique challenges:
Their dysregulation triggers yours
When your child is dysregulated, your nervous system mirrors that dysregulation. You feel their big emotions in your body.
Traditional parenting advice doesn't work
"Just set boundaries" or "be calm and consistent" doesn't account for nervous system differences. You need different tools.
The sensory demands are higher
Your child might need more physical input, make more noise, or have more intense reactions. This depletes your sensory system faster.
You're constantly advocating
Fighting for services, explaining your child to others, managing school challenges - it's exhausting advocacy work.
You worry about their future
The uncertainty and worry drain your emotional capacity.
I understand neurodivergent nervous systems - both yours and your child's. I help you build co-regulation tools and reduce the cycle of mutual dysregulation.
What Therapy for Parenting Burnout Looks Like
Therapy for parenting burnout isn't about learning to handle more stress. It's about understanding what's depleting you and what actually rebuilds capacity.
Here's what we work on:
Understanding nervous system depletion
Why rest isn't enough and what capacity actually means. What drains you and what restores you.
Nervous system regulation tools
Body-based strategies to help you regulate when you're dysregulated. Practical tools you can use in real parenting moments.
Reducing the invisible load
Identifying where you're carrying mental load that could be shared, delegated, or dropped entirely.
Co-regulation with your children
How to stay regulated when your child is dysregulated. Building regulation together instead of both spiraling.
Sensory strategies
Understanding your sensory needs and creating sustainable sensory boundaries with your kids.
Rebuilding capacity
What actually restores your nervous system (it's not always what you think). Building sustainable rhythms that honor your capacity.
Processing guilt and shame
The guilt about not enjoying parenting, about being irritable, about needing help. It's all valid and we work through it.
Why Work With Me
Over a decade with neurodivergent families
I've worked with hundreds of families navigating ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, and highly sensitive children. I understand the unique challenges.
Occupational Therapist + Clinical Counselor
I understand both the sensory/nervous system side and the emotional/relational side. This dual lens is essential for parenting burnout.
Sensory Integration Training
I can help you and your children understand sensory needs and build regulation strategies that work.
Certified ADHD Professional
If you're an ADHD parent or parenting ADHD children, I have specialized training in ADHD nervous systems.
Practical, body-based tools
You won't get abstract advice. You'll get concrete regulation strategies you can use in real parenting moments.
Virtual Therapy Across BC
I offer secure virtual therapy throughout British Columbia and in-person sessions in Vancouver.
Virtual therapy works well for overwhelmed parents because:
No childcare logistics or travel stress
You're in your own space and can regulate more easily
More scheduling flexibility
Common Questions
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Parenting burnout is absolutely real and well-documented in research. It's not weakness. It's nervous system depletion from chronic demands that exceed capacity.
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Yes. Therapy helps you understand what's draining your capacity, build nervous system regulation tools, and create sustainable rhythms. Many parents see significant improvement in 8-16 sessions.
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I work with couples to improve their communication and increase alignment in parenting styles, leading from a neurodevelopmental perspective.
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Guilt is common and we work through it. Needing support isn't weakness - it's wisdom. You can't pour from an empty cup.
You Don't Have to Keep Running on Empty
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk about what you're experiencing, and I'll let you know if I think I can help. No pressure, no commitment.