
Join us for an empowering and deeply relatable conversation with social worker, counsellor and coach Xena James as she shares her journey from burnout to breakthrough, tackling perfectionism and reconnecting with her inner child.
This honest and insightful discussion explores how frontline work during Covid led to burnout, and how therapy became the catalyst for profound personal transformation and self-acceptance.
In this compelling episode, Xena openly shares:
- Her experience of burnout as a frontline social worker during the pandemic
- How an Employee Assistance Programme therapist gave her a ‘moment to slow down’
- Using social work insights to reassess her own adverse childhood experiences
- Struggling with unrealistic standards of Black Beauty whilst growing up
- The constant feeling that her natural self was never enough
- How perfectionism became a coping mechanism and barrier to authenticity
- Her journey towards self-acceptance and embracing her inner child
- Successfully balancing teaching social work with coaching and counselling
This essential conversation offers valuable insights for anyone struggling with social media pressure, perfectionism, and the journey towards genuine self-acceptance.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Recognising and recovering from professional burnout
- The impact of adverse childhood experiences on adult perfectionism
- Navigating beauty standards and cultural expectations
- How social work skills can inform personal healing
- The role of therapy in breaking perfectionist patterns
- Reconnecting with your authentic self and inner child
- Balancing multiple professional roles whilst maintaining wellbeing
- Practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism
A full transcript of this episode is available here.