Career Counseling in Hawaii: Overcoming Work-Related Stress

There's a difference between having a hard week and feeling like you've hit a wall you can't get past. If you're exhausted in a way that sleep doesn't fix, going through the motions at work, or feeling disconnected from things that used to matter, that's burnout. And it's more than just stress.

I'm Dr. Abby Halston (Ed.D., NCC, LMFT-S), and I provide online therapy for stress and burnout for adults throughout Hawaiʻi. Sessions are via secure telehealth,  accessible from Oʻahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauaʻi, and beyond.

Stress feels like too much- too many demands, too little time, too much pressure. It's uncomfortable, but there's still a sense that if things calmed down, you'd recover.

Burnout feels like too little - no energy, no motivation, no sense that anything will change. It's what happens when chronic stress goes unaddressed for too long.

Signs of burnout include:

• Exhaustion that doesn't go away with rest
• Feeling detached, cynical, or numb about work or relationships
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Loss of satisfaction in things you used to find meaningful
• Physical symptoms like headaches, tension, or getting sick more often
• Dreading the week ahead: Sunday anxiety, low motivation on Monday mornings

Living and working in Hawaiʻi brings specific pressures: high cost of living, long hours, limited mental health resources outside of Honolulu, and a cultural norm of pushing through rather than asking for help. These are real factors, and therapy can address them directly.

Therapy for burnout isn't about pushing harder, it's about understanding what depleted you and rebuilding from there. I use evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you:

• Identify the patterns and pressures that led to burnout
• Develop practical boundaries and sustainable coping strategies
• Reconnect with what matters to you
• Address underlying anxiety, perfectionism, or people-pleasing that fuel chronic stress
• Build a path forward that supports your long-term well-being

Sessions are tailored to your situation — whether you're burning out at work, in a caregiving role, navigating a demanding academic environment, or dealing with cumulative life stressors.

Stress and burnout therapy may be a good fit if you:

• Are exhausted but can't slow down or don't know how
• Have lost motivation or passion for work or daily life
• Feel like you're running on empty but still have responsibilities to meet
• Are a healthcare worker, educator, caregiver, or professional in a high-demand field
• Want to understand why you keep ending up here — and break the cycle
• Are looking for telehealth therapy accessible from anywhere in Hawaiʻi

HMSA, UHA, and HMAA insurance accepted for eligible online therapy services throughout Hawaiʻi. Please contact your insurer to verify your behavioral health and telehealth benefits before scheduling.

What is burnout and how is it different from stress?
Stress is a response to too many demands — burnout is what happens when chronic stress is left unaddressed. Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a loss of motivation that doesn't resolve on its own. Dr. Halston helps clients understand which they're experiencing and what kind of support will actually help.

Can therapy help with burnout?
Yes. Therapy helps identify the root causes of burnout, build sustainable coping strategies, and address patterns like perfectionism or overcommitment that fuel chronic stress. Many clients find that therapy provides both immediate relief and longer-term tools for preventing burnout from returning.

Does Dr. Halston offer stress and burnout therapy online in Hawaiʻi?
Yes. All sessions are conducted via secure telehealth, making therapy accessible to adults across Hawaiʻi — including Oʻahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi.

Does insurance cover burnout therapy in Hawaiʻi?
HMSA, UHA, and HMAA are accepted for eligible telehealth therapy services. Coverage varies by plan — contact your insurer to confirm your behavioral health and telehealth benefits before your first appointment.

How long does it take to recover from burnout?
Recovery varies by person and severity. Therapy typically helps clients notice meaningful improvement within 8–12 sessions, though the timeline depends on how long burnout has been building and what other life factors are involved. Dr. Halston works collaboratively with each client to set realistic, personalized goals.

I'm not sure if I'm burned out or just tired — should I still reach out?
Yes. You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis to benefit from therapy. If you're feeling chronically drained, disconnected, or overwhelmed, that's enough reason to explore support. Dr. Halston can help you make sense of what you're experiencing and figure out next steps together.

Call (808) 364-7970 or contact me today to schedule your first online therapy appointment for stress and burnout in Hawaiʻi.