When the Bell Rings for You Too: Back-to-School Transitions Moms Aren’t Talking About

It’s August, and the lunchboxes are lined up, school forms are flying, and the group chats are lit with carpool chaos and supply scavenger hunts. But while everyone’s talking about how the kids are adjusting… no one’s really asking how you’re doing.

The Quiet Struggle

Maybe you’re juggling a full workload while pretending your house isn't imploding around you.

Maybe you’re watching your child head to middle school, high school, or even college—and feeling that invisible punch to the chest no one warned you about.

Maybe you’re coordinating IEP meetings, doctor appointments, or therapy schedules, and wondering how many tabs your brain can realistically keep open.

The Emotional Load of August

This time of year is hard for a lot of moms—not just logistically, but emotionally. It can stir up anxiety, grief, identity questions, and a very real sense of burnout. And unlike summer, there’s no socially acceptable way to just… melt down in front of the ice cream truck.

Even if the school routine brings some relief, it can also come with a side of guilt. You're supposed to feel grateful, right? Grateful for the break. Grateful for your job. Grateful your kid is healthy enough to go. And you are. But you’re also exhausted, overwhelmed, and maybe just a little bit lost in the shuffle.

You’re Not Broken. You’re Human.

As a therapist, I work with moms navigating this exact season of life. The emotional whiplash. The invisible labor. The quiet ache of being needed less… and yet somehow responsible for more. You’re not broken for feeling this way. You’re human. And you deserve support, too.

Therapy as a Different Kind of Back-to-School Supply

So if August has you running on caffeine and autopilot, maybe this is the moment to do something different.

• To make space for yourself.

• To feel your feelings without apologizing for them.

• To rise gently, instead of running ragged.

If that sounds like what you need this season, I’m here. Therapy isn’t just for when things fall apart—it’s also for when you want to hold yourself together differently.

Feeling burned out by back-to-school season? Let’s talk. Schedule a free consult.

Follow me on Instagram @risegentlytherapy for more support.

Burned Out, Not Just Broken: How Therapy Helps You Rise Gently

Are you caring for everyone else and running on empty?

You're not alone. So many women I work with come into therapy saying things like, "I just don’t feel like myself anymore," or, "I thought I was stronger than this." They’re not falling apart in a dramatic way—they're still making lunches, getting to work, managing appointments—but something is cracking inside. They wonder if they're broken.

But what they’re actually experiencing is burnout.

Burnout isn't about weakness or failure. It happens when strong, capable, deeply caring people carry too much for too long without enough rest, support, or recognition. And therapy can help you find your way back. Not by pushing harder, but by learning to rise gently.

What Burnout Actually Looks Like

The Physical Reality

Burnout isn't just "in your head." It shows up in your body:

• Exhaustion that sleep doesn't fix

• Headaches, brain fog, or digestive issues

• Sleep disturbances

• Autoimmune flares or other chronic conditions

For me, burnout played a part in the timing of my breast cancer diagnosis and the worsening of an autoimmune disorder. The toll was real, and my body had been trying to warn me for years.

The Emotional Landscape

Emotionally, burnout can feel like:

• Numbness or detachment from things you once loved

• Irritability, overwhelm, and emotional reactivity

• Feeling like you’re failing no matter how hard you try

It can be hard to tell where burnout ends and deeper despair begins. A helpful distinction is this:

• "I can't do this anymore" = burnout

• "I'm a failure" or "I'm broken" = burnout layered with shame, trauma, or grief

When Burnout Isn’t the Whole Story

Burnout doesn’t usually show up alone. It often links arms with:

• A history of trauma, betrayal, or emotional neglect

• Beliefs that you have to earn your worth by over-functioning

• Difficulty receiving care or asking for help

You may find yourself thinking, "Other people have it worse," or "What’s wrong with me that I can’t handle this?" But burnout isn’t a character flaw. It’s often a symptom of trying to meet impossible expectations without enough support.

Why Traditional Self-Care Advice Falls Short

You can’t fix burnout with a bubble bath.

Mainstream self-care advice often feels like a slap in the face to someone who’s burned out. Why?

• It doesn’t address the root causes (over-responsibility, perfectionism, emotional labor)

• It implies you just need to do more to feel better

• It makes you feel guilty for not enjoying the things that are supposed to help

When you're fried, even deciding what to eat can feel impossible. You don't need more tasks—you need restoration.

How Therapy Helps: It’s Not What You Think

Dismantling Common Misconceptions

Therapy isn't only for people with "big" trauma or crisis. It’s for anyone who wants to:

• Feel like themselves again

• Learn to say no without guilt

• Reconnect with purpose and self-respect

You don’t need a diagnosis to ask for help. And you don’t need to spend years analyzing your childhood (though we might talk about it if it helps).

Seeking therapy is an act of responsible caregiving—not weakness. And if affordability is a concern, many therapists (myself included) offer sliding scale or supervised rates.

What Actually Happens in Therapy for Burnout

Together, we might:

• Learn to listen to your nervous system and build emotional safety

• Reframe self-care as essential maintenance, not a luxury

• Examine the beliefs and roles you've inherited about motherhood, caregiving, and identity

• Make space to grieve the parts of yourself you lost while caring for everyone else

• Practice speaking to yourself with curiosity and kindness instead of shame

Rising Gently: What Recovery Looks Like

Micro-Steps, Not Major Overhauls

Burnout recovery isn’t about transforming overnight. It's about:

• Starting the day with intention instead of dread

• Allowing yourself to rest without apology or guilt

• Choosing one thing to do, not all the things

Learning a New Internal Dialogue

We practice saying:

• "Is that true, or is that burnout talking?"

• "Would I say this to someone I love?"

• "I’m allowed to have needs. I’m allowed to change."

Practical Micro-Practices

Healing begins with small moments of care:

• Drinking water when you refill your child’s cup

• Pausing to breathe before answering a text

• Putting your own name on the to-do list

Each one is a vote for your own worth.

The Path Forward Isn’t Linear

Burnout recovery isn’t a checklist. There will be progress, setbacks, plateaus, and surprises. The most important thing is to keep showing up for yourself, with support.

In therapy, we build the tools and space to help you do just that.

If This Sounds Like You…

You're not alone.
You're not lazy.
You're not broken.

You may be burned out.

Therapy can help you rise again—not by force, but gently.

If you're ready to take a small, brave step, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit. You can reach me at elizabeth@risegentlytherapy.com or click the button below to directly book your free consultation.

Healing isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about remembering who you were before the world told you to forget yourself.

Let’s walk that path together.

What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

Reaching out for therapy can be a big step, and it’s understandable if it feels intimidating or even scary. Especially if this is your first time, you might feel unsure about what to expect. I want to help you feel calm, comforted, and hopeful enough to take the next step. Therapy can be a safe space to unpack and explore your feelings at your own pace. Let’s talk about what might happen in your first session.

A Warm Welcome

When you arrive to a session, I will greet you warmly and invite you to settle in and get comfortable. Your first session is a gentle exploration of why you are here and where you are now. There is no need to share everything at once. If you feel a little (or a lot) nervous, know that that is perfectly normal. We will take things at your pace and meet you right where you are.

Starting Off with Ease

Before your first session, I’ll send you a link to complete your paperwork at your own pace. You can fill everything out ahead of time—on your phone, your laptop, whatever works best for your schedule. This means when we meet, we can focus fully on you, not forms. Our time together can begin with connection, not checkboxes.

How the First Session Flows

As a therapist, I approach things in a gentle and conversational way. There’s no rigid script that I follow. We simply have a conversation. Some questions I might ask you are:

• “How are you feeling as you come into today’s session?”
• “Before we begin, is there anything you’re holding onto that feels heavy?”

Often, I’ll ask if you’d like to take a few slow breaths together to settle into the moment. This helps create a sense of calm and presence before we begin. There’s no pressure—just an invitation to arrive as you are and ease into the conversation at your own pace.

Holding Space for All Your Feelings

Sometimes, when you finally allow yourself to slow down and receive support, big emotions rise to the surface. That’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay — it’s human. Our sessions are a safe space for any and all feelings. You don’t have to hide them, explain them, or apologize.

If tears come, I’ll simply hold space with you. I won’t rush to “fix” anything or steer you away from what you’re feeling. Your emotions are valid, and they are yours.

If you feel overwhelmed, we can pause. We might explore simple grounding tools like breathing exercises you can use in daily life. But most importantly, I’ll meet you where you are. This time is for you, and we move at your pace.

You’re in Control

Everything we discuss in therapy is confidential. We’ll talk about that in your first session to make sure you fully understand. You are always in control of the pace of things. You are the expert on your own life—we work together.

Wrapping Up and Next Steps

As we wrap up the session, I’ll make sure to answer any questions you have. We’ll discuss next steps, including when your next session will be. If we talked about anything you can do at home, like practicing breathing exercises, we’ll review that together.

An Invitation to Take the Next Step

I know therapy can feel like a big step—but you deserve support too. I’m not only a therapist, I’m a mom who’s been there: navigating caregiving, overwhelm, and the challenge of making time for yourself.

If you're ready to explore support, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

Schedule a free consultation so we can see if working together feels like a good fit.

Your story matters. You deserve a space to feel heard, seen, and supported.