Overview
This webinar reframes burnout as a gradual shift in how the brain, body, emotions, and nervous system function under prolonged overload, rather than a simple matter of stress or tiredness that rest alone can resolve.
Grounded in the foundational work of Freudenberger and Maslach through to the ICD-11's three-dimension model, energy depletion, mental distance, and reduced professional efficacy, the session maps the five-stage progression from early over-functioning through to habitual, identity-level burnout, and addresses why the qualities that make helping professionals effective, empathy, responsibility, high standards, are frequently the same qualities that increase vulnerability under chronic strain.
Particular attention is given to differential recognition: distinguishing burnout from stress, anxiety, and depression using role-specificity and nervous system signature rather than symptom overlaps alone, and to the current evidence bases on measurement, including the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT 2.0). Two contrasting case presentations illustrate the difference between a crisis-intervention response and a prevention-focused one.
The webinar closes with practical, evidence-informed strategies for sustainability, drawing on ACT, interoceptive awareness practice, and structural protections such as caseload composition and reflective supervision, alongside a brief introduction to the role of somatic and body-based approaches in supporting nervous system recovery where cognitive strategies alone are insufficient.
APS CPD-Approved
This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.
Target audience
This webinar is suitable for psychologists, allied health professionals, and individuals interested in gaining a deeper understanding of impulsivity and its impact across both clinical and everyday contexts.
Level of Learning
Foundational/Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic and those with some previous learning on the topic.
Professional competencies for psychology
The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) have updated the Professional competencies for psychology, effective 1 December 2025. This activity addresses Competency 1.
Duration of access
This webinar will be recorded and made available to registered participants at the conclusion of the session. Information on how to access the recording will be provided at the conclusion of the webinar.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this introductory webinar, participants should be able to:
- describe the ICD-11 framework for burnout and the five-stage progression from early over-functioning through to habitual burnout,
- differentiate burnout from stress, anxiety, and depression using role-specificity and nervous system indicators rather than symptom overlap alone, and
- identify evidence-informed prevention and sustainability strategies, including structural, psychological, and somatic approaches, appropriate to their own practice or their clients' presentations.
Presenter(s)
Dr Yuliya Richard MAPS
About the presenter(s)
Dr Yuliya Richard is a clinical psychologist and director of Blue Horizon Counselling, where she works with individuals in her private practice. She holds a Professional Doctorate in Clinical and Health Psychology from the University of Newcastle, alongside postgraduate qualifications in Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Applied Psychology.
With more than 15 years of clinical experience, Dr Richard specialises in emotional, adjustment, and relationship challenges, with a particular focus on the psychological and physiological impacts of chronic stress and impulsive behaviour in high-responsibility, caregiving-intensive professions.
Dr Richard is also the creator of Impulsivity.com.au, an online training program supporting individuals experiencing impulsive behaviours, including addiction-related patterns. Originally from Ukraine, she brings a diverse academic background in philology, cross-cultural communication, and sociology, complemented by extensive experience working with charities and NGOs. Her practice is underpinned by a holistic approach to wellbeing, integrating social, emotional, physical, cultural, occupational, spiritual, and psychological dimensions. She is passionate about helping individuals build sustainable wellbeing while fostering longevity, resilience, and fulfilment in both their personal and professional lives.
Dr Richard is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society, a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association, and serves on the APS Interest Group for Culture and Psychology Committee.