How do I know if Lisa Chen & Associates is the right fit for me?

We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. It's a chance to get to know us, understand our approach, and see if we align with your needs. The purpose of an initial consultation is to determine if you are a good fit for working together. You can expect a 15–20 minute conversation where you will have the opportunity to share your concerns, goals, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This is also a chance for you to ask questions and get a sense of the therapist's approach and personality.

Our fees range from $180 to $350 per 50-minute session based on the clinician's experience, specialized training, and services provided. Lisa Chen's fees are $350 per 50-minute session for both individual and couples counseling. Licensed Client Session fees are $200 for individual and $225 for couples counseling per 50-minute session. Associate Clinician fees are $180 for individual and $200 for couples counseling per 50-minute session. We also reserve spots for clients requesting a sliding-scale rate to accommodate financial needs.

Do you accept insurance?

Lisa Chen & Associates are out-of-network providers. We provide monthly insurance statements ('Superbills') for you to seek partial reimbursement from your insurance company according to your policy. For questions about your out-of-network benefits, please contact your insurance carrier before scheduling.

What is your cancellation policy?

Weekly clients are allowed 3 free cancellations every 6 months, and bi-weekly clients are allowed 2 free cancellations every 6 months, beginning from the date of your first session. You will be responsible for payment for your normally scheduled session time for all cancelled appointments beyond this. Please provide at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations. You may always choose to reschedule and/or take sessions virtually to accommodate occasional scheduling conflicts.

How often should I expect to meet?

We recommend weekly therapy sessions for optimal progress. However, there are times when clients prefer to meet twice a week for more complex challenges. During your initial phone consultation, let us know if you are interested in more frequent sessions.

Are you offering in-person sessions?

Yes, we are seeing clients in our South Bay office located at 2615 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 326, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. We also offer telehealth sessions for California residents.

How do I get started with counseling?

The first step is to schedule an initial consultation by calling our office or submitting the contact form on our website. This allows us to understand your needs and match you with the best therapist for your situation. From there, we'll work with you to schedule ongoing sessions.

Burnout Recovery: Why You Feel Exhausted Even When You “Have It All”

If you’re a high achiever, burnout doesn’t look dramatic.

It looks functional.

You still show up. You still perform. You still meet deadlines.
But internally, something feels off.

You wake up tired. Small things irritate you. You feel detached from people you love. The drive that once felt energizing now feels heavy.

This is the version of burnout most successful professionals experience. And it’s the one that gets missed.

At Lisa Chen & Associates Therapy in Hermosa Beach, we often work with executives, physicians, entrepreneurs, and couples who say some version of the same thing:

“I don’t understand. My life is objectively good. Why do I feel this drained?”

Burnout isn’t about failure. It’s about chronic overextension without emotional recovery.

What Burnout Actually Is

Burnout is not simply “being stressed.”

According to the World Health Organization, burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It includes:

• Emotional exhaustion
• Increased mental distance or cynicism
• Reduced sense of effectiveness

But in high achievers, burnout is usually fueled by more than work.

It’s fueled by perfectionism.

It’s fueled by internal pressure.

It’s fueled by the belief that slowing down equals weakness.

How Perfectionism Drives Burnout

Perfectionism is socially rewarded. It looks like discipline. It looks like excellence. It looks like leadership.

But psychologically, it often sounds like this:

“If I don’t do it, it won’t be done right.”
“I should be able to handle this.”
“I can rest after I finish everything.”

The nervous system never completes a stress cycle under those rules.

When your brain perceives constant pressure, it increases cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, that dysregulates sleep, mood, immune function, and emotional resilience. The American Psychological Association has repeatedly documented the long-term effects of chronic stress on physical and mental health.

High-functioning burnout doesn’t collapse loudly. It erodes quietly.

Common Signs of Chronic Stress in High Achievers

You may be experiencing burnout if you notice:

• Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep
• Irritability or emotional numbness
• Feeling disconnected in your relationship
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of enjoyment in things that used to matter
• Physical symptoms like headaches, tension, or frequent illness
• A subtle sense of “What’s the point?” even while succeeding

Many people assume this is depression. Sometimes it is. But often, it is unprocessed stress combined with relentless self-pressure.

Why Burnout Impacts Relationships

Burnout does not stay contained to your job.

When your nervous system is overloaded, you have less patience, less emotional availability, and less capacity for connection.

Partners often interpret this as withdrawal or disinterest. In reality, it is depletion.

If this dynamic feels familiar, you may find it helpful to read more about how stress affects couples in our couples therapy work in Hermosa Beach.

Burnout is rarely just an individual issue. It becomes relational.

What Real Burnout Recovery Looks Like

Burnout recovery is not a weekend off.

It is not a vacation.

It is not a productivity hack.

Real recovery involves three layers:

Nervous System Regulation
You cannot think your way out of physiological depletion. Techniques like EMDR, somatic work, and trauma-informed therapy help the body process accumulated stress. Research published through the National Institute of Mental Health highlights how chronic stress alters brain function and emotional regulation.
Restructuring Internal Standards
Perfectionism often operates as an internal critic. In Internal Family Systems therapy, we explore the “protector” parts that push you to overperform. The goal is not to eliminate ambition. It is to reduce fear-driven pressure.
Boundary Repair
Burnout frequently reveals where boundaries are misaligned — at work, in family systems, or in relationships. Sustainable recovery means redefining what is truly yours to carry.

High achievers often resist this step because it feels like losing edge.

In reality, clients frequently report sharper clarity, improved leadership, and better relational presence after doing this work.

High-Achiever Burnout Reset checklist for chronic stress recovery and nervous system regulation — The High-Achiever Burnout Reset

Therapy for Burnout in Hermosa Beach

At Lisa Chen & Associates Therapy, we specialize in working with professionals who are outwardly successful but internally depleted.

Our approach integrates psychodynamic insight, EMDR for stress processing, and IFS for perfectionism and inner critic work.

Burnout recovery is not about dulling your drive.

It is about recalibrating it.

When success comes at a cost, therapy helps you redefine strength, not by carrying more, but by healing what’s underneath the pressure.

6 women clinicians at Lisa Chen & Associates in Hermosa Beach

Quick Summary

Burnout in high achievers often presents as quiet exhaustion rather than collapse. Chronic stress combined with perfectionism dysregulates the nervous system and erodes emotional capacity. Real burnout recovery requires physiological regulation, internal standard restructuring, and boundary repair. If stress is affecting your relationship, couples therapy may also be beneficial. Learn more about our therapy services in Hermosa Beach at www.lisachentherapy.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the first signs of burnout?
Early signs include emotional exhaustion, irritability, reduced motivation, sleep disruption, and feeling detached from work or relationships. High achievers often overlook these symptoms because they are still functioning at a high level.

How is burnout different from depression?
Burnout is typically linked to chronic stress and overextension, often in professional or relational roles. Depression involves broader mood symptoms, including persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest across areas of life. A therapist can help assess the difference.

Can therapy really help with burnout?
Yes. Therapy helps regulate the nervous system, identify perfectionistic patterns, and rebuild sustainable boundaries. Evidence-based approaches such as EMDR and trauma-informed therapy are particularly effective for chronic stress recovery.