Work takes everything out of me, and I have nothing left for myself.

Work stress is more than just being tired or stressed.

What Does Work Stress Look Like?

Work stress can show up in different ways depending on your job, your environment, and your coping style. In a city like New York, where hustle culture is practically the norm, it’s no wonder so many people feel overwhelmed by work stress. Long hours, constant deadlines, pressure to perform, and the unspoken expectation to always be “on” can take a real toll on your mind and body.

Some common challenges include:

Conflict with coworkers or managers
Difficulty staying on top of tasks or deadlines
Fear of promotions, demotions, or layoffs
Trouble setting boundaries (saying yes when you really want to say no)
Lack of work-life balance never truly “off the clock”
Negative emotions at work such as anger, resentment, or burnout
Avoidance behaviors calling out sick, dreading Mondays, or disengaging

Left unaddressed, work stress can bleed into every part of your life, impacting relationships, health, and overall well-being.

Two women sitting at a white table looking at a laptop displaying furniture products on a website, next to a large window.

How Therapy Can Help

At Collaborative CBT, we’ll work together to:

Uncover unhelpful thought patterns (like “If I say no, I’ll get fired” or “I have to be perfect to succeed”)
Learn practical tools for managing deadlines, prioritizing tasks, and staying organized
Build assertiveness skills so you can speak up in meetings, set boundaries, and ask for what you need
Develop healthier coping strategies so stress doesn’t spill over into your evenings and weekends
Practice real-life scenarios whether it’s preparing for a tough conversation with your boss or role-playing a performance review
Address burnout directly by helping you reconnect with rest, recovery, and meaning outside of work

By shifting how you think about and respond to work stressors, you’ll begin to feel more in control and less like your job is controlling you.

You May Be Wondering…

- You bring work home even when you’re not supposed to
- Your social life and personal time have taken a backseat
- You feel drained, frustrated, or irritable most days
- Sleep is harder to come by because your mind won’t stop racing
- You’ve thought about quitting but you’re not sure what comes next
Sometimes work stress isn’t just temporary, it builds up until you feel completely depleted. Burnout goes beyond “having a tough week.” It’s a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.
You might be experiencing burnout if you:
- Feel constantly exhausted, no matter how much you rest
- Struggle to find motivation even for tasks you used to enjoy
- Notice yourself becoming cynical, detached, or resentful toward work
- Have difficulty concentrating or being productive
- Feel like you’re “running on empty” in every part of life
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak, it’s a signal that your mind and body need a reset. With the right support, you can recover and build healthier ways to manage stress.

Learn More About Burnout

Finding Balance Again

Work is an important part of life, but it shouldn’t consume your whole life. Therapy can help you reclaim balance, reduce stress, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that thrive outside the office.

You deserve more than just “surviving” the workday. Let’s work together to help you manage stress in healthier, more sustainable ways so you can find calm, confidence, and fulfillment both at work and beyond.

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