Burnt: Why Surrender Is The Key To Change

In autumn, the trees show us the power of letting go.

As summer fades, nature begins to slow down. Leaves that were once vibrant and green turn brown, dry, and finally let go. The outward expansion of growth shifts inward — energy returns to the roots, conserving strength for the next season.

This shift often stirs mixed emotions. There can be sadness or grief in accepting change, and also, a deep sense of relief — a chance to slow down, breathe in cooler air, and simply be. For many of us, this slowing down triggers fear: fear of doing less, of not being productive enough, of questioning our worth when we stop "producing."

Most of the clients I work with are overachievers, high-functioning individuals, or those who carry too much responsibility in their relationships. They do so much for others but often struggle to direct that same care toward themselves. By the time they find me, they are worn out — like autumn leaves, a little crisp at the edges — and desperate for relief. Yet, when I suggest slowing down, they often squirm at the thought.

I wouldn’t be in integrity as a therapist and coach if I didn’t practice what I teach. So here is my truth: I’m fried too. Crispy at the edges. I can’t do all the things — and do them all well — and neither can you. That’s not weakness; it’s simply being human. We were never meant to be everything to everyone while not first caring for ourselves. Trauma tricks us into believing that we must self-sacrifice, and many of us spend decades stuck in that cycle of people-pleasing.

Healing, I believe, is never a straight line but a spiral. We revisit the same lessons over and over, each time at a deeper level. Just when we think we’ve “figured it out,” life invites us to choose healing again — in a new situation, a new relationship, a new season. Again and again, we face the choice: self-abandonment or alignment. And each time, it takes courage to risk disappointing others, to tolerate being misunderstood, and to sit with the discomfort of making decisions based on what we truly need rather than what others expect from us.

When we stop avoiding those fears and instead move through them, something shifts. Resistance takes enormous energy. Acceptance and surrender — though not easy — free us to live in alignment and experience real peace.

This brings me to some changes happening in my practice.

As a one-woman business, I am listening to the season I am in and honoring my own capacity. To better serve my clients — and model a healthy, balanced personal life — I am moving from full-time to part-time. Starting October 1st, I will no longer offer late-afternoon or evening sessions. By that time of day, I simply don’t have the energy to show up at the level my clients deserve, and that’s not fair to them, to my partner, or to myself.

Looking ahead, I am shifting the direction of my work and will begin offering therapy intensives starting Spring 2026. This has been a difficult but necessary decision, one that has kept me up at night as I’ve wrestled with feelings about burnout, alignment, and integrity. Ultimately, I know that I cannot ask my clients to do what I am unwilling to do myself.

Additionally, there are changes to my insurance participation:

·       Starting November, I will no longer be contracted with Medicaid.

·       At the beginning of 2026, I will no longer be working with Ambetter/Sunflower.

The truth is, the insurance system is broken — for clients, for clinicians, and for the entire mental health industry. I cannot continue to participate and stay in alignment with what I believe real healing requires.

I know this will impact some of you, and it has been one of the hardest parts of this decision. I have personally paid out of pocket for my own therapy, coaching, and healing work for years, even during times of little or no income. When we are ready for change, we find a way.

And still, I know this might feel disappointing or frustrating. I don’t take that lightly. If you’d like to process this together, please reach out — I am here for that. I am also glad to offer referrals for providers who are in network with your insurance.  I want to make sure you are still supported.

Most importantly, I want to reassure you that I am not stepping away from this work. My commitment to helping others heal remains strong. My goal is balance — for myself, and for the clients I serve. Even if we no longer work together one-on-one, I hope you will stay connected through this medium. I will continue to share resources, insights, and encouragement as we walk this path of healing together.

Thoughtfully,

Eva