How do you support coaching clients who are struggling with burnout?

In this episode, we explore how to recognise burnout in clients, the different ways burnout manifests, and how coaching can (and can’t) support clients experiencing it. Many people believe burnout is simply about working too much, but it often stems from deep-seated patterns, emotional exhaustion, and values misalignment.

We discuss the two types of clients experiencing burnout; those approaching burnout, and those fully in burnout, and why traditional coaching techniques work better for the former than the latter.

We explore common coaching red flags, like when a client repeatedly turns up to sessions flustered, struggling to take action, or feeling like they’re "just getting through the day."

One of the key takeaways from this episode is that coaching burnout is not about quick fixes, it’s about helping clients build self-awareness, boundaries, and sustainable habits. We also touch on the ethical considerations of coaching burnout, when to refer clients to professional support, and how coaches themselves can avoid burnout in their own practice.

Whether you're a coach supporting clients through burnout or someone who wants to prevent it in your own life, this episode is packed with insights, reflections, and practical coaching approaches.

Five Coaching Questions to Support Clients with Burnout

1. What is draining your energy the most right now?
2. What boundaries would help protect your wellbeing?
3. If you gave yourself permission to rest, what would that look like?
4. What beliefs do you hold about productivity and self-worth?
5. What’s one small step you can take this week to prioritise your health?

Key Lessons Learned

1. Burnout isn’t just about working too hard – It’s often a result of long-term emotional strain or values misalignment.
2. Coaching works best for clients approaching burnout – Those in deep burnout may need medical or therapeutic support first.
3. Recognising patterns is key – Burnout happens slowly over time, often due to repeated behaviours like people-pleasing.
4. Rest is a form of self-leadership – Helping clients reframe rest as productive can be life-changing.
5. Coaches need to prevent their own burnout too – Shifting to group coaching or adjusting workload can help.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout isn’t a weakness—it’s a sign that something needs to change.
• Coaching should feel supportive, not like another task—check in with clients about what they need.
• Small shifts are powerful—help clients focus on sustainable changes, not drastic transformations.
• Coaches can burn out too—self-awareness and boundaries are crucial for long-term success.

Timestamps

• 00:13 – 00:46: Introduction; why burnout is a critical coaching topic
• 00:47 – 02:07: The difference between approaching burnout and full burnout
• 02:34 – 03:55: Why burnout often goes unnoticed until it’s too late
• 04:21 – 05:44: Recognising signs of burnout in coaching clients
• 06:13 – 07:39: Common causes of burnout; external vs. internal factors
• 08:09 – 09:34: The ethics of coaching burnout—when to refer a client for professional support
• 10:03 – 11:46: Helping clients reconnect with values and set boundaries
• 12:16 – 13:59: The importance of rest and recovery in burnout prevention
• 14:39 – 15:59: Metaphors for burnout; how storytelling helps clients shift perspective
• 16:27 – 17:55: Burnout prevention for coaches; recognising your own limits
• 18:50 – 19:49: Final reflections and key takeaways

 

Keywords:

How to coach burnout, Coaching strategies for burnout prevention, Recognising burnout in coaching clients, The ethics of coaching burnout, How to set boundaries in coaching, Burnout prevention techniques for professionals, Coaching clients with stress and exhaustion, Signs of burnout in leadership and business, Helping clients recover from burnout, Group coaching vs. 1:1 coaching for burnout prevention,

 

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