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A 10-week psychologist-led programme for professionals struggling with work stress, burnout and self-doubt. 

Learn how to switch off from work, quieten your inner critic and regain calm confidence - with personalised support from a Chartered Psychologist. 

Dr Jill Williams. Chartered Psychologist, Burnout Specialist as seen on BBC.
Picture of a calender and a headset with the text Book free discovery call. Let's talk about how Uptrained Brain can help you overcome burnout and thrive.
10 weeks | 3 hours 1:1 | Weekly live Q&As | Weekly digital resources | Personalised progress plan

Created and delivered by Dr Jill Williams, Chartered Psychologist, Burnout Specialist

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Recognise yourself ?

A man sat at a computer rubbing his eyes as if stressed or tired.

​​​If this sounds familiar...

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These patterns are common among the professionals I work with. In fact, many of the qualities that help people succeed — conscientiousness, responsibility, high standards — can also contribute to stress when they become difficult to switch off. 

 

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A vicious circle explaining the interaction btween unhelpful limiting beliefs, unhelpful behaviours, stress, perfectionism and self-criticism in burnout and workplace stress

Why these patterns can be so hard to change

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Stress, perfectionism, self-criticism and overthinking can become part of a vicious circle. The more often we respond to pressure in particular ways — over-preparing, checking, worrying, pushing ourselves harder or dwelling on mistakes — the more practised and automatic those responses become.​

 These habits may help us feel safer or more in control in the short term, but over time they can reinforce the very stress and self-doubt we're trying to escape.

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Breaking the cycle means learning to recognise these patterns and repeatedly practising more helpful ways of thinking, responding and behaving — until those begin to become the new normal.

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You put enormous pressure on yourself to get things right

Doing a good job matters to you. But perhaps “good enough” rarely feels good enough anymore. You can spend unnecessary time preparing, checking or refining things because the fear of making a mistake weighs heavy.

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You can be much harder on yourself than you are on other people

You may readily understand somebody else's mistake or difficult day, while judging yourself by a completely different standard. Achievements are quickly discounted, while perceived shortcomings can stay with you.

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Rest doesn't always feel comfortable

Even when there is nothing you have to do, slowing down can bring guilt or a nagging sense that you ought to be doing something useful. Being productive may have become so closely linked with feeling worthwhile that genuine downtime is surprisingly difficult.

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You've started adapting your behaviour to manage the anxiety

Perhaps you check more, prepare more, work longer, avoid difficult conversations, procrastinate over things that feel important or seek reassurance before trusting your own judgement. These strategies can bring short-term relief — while quietly keeping the underlying problem going.

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You find uncertainty difficult to leave alone

When you don't know how something will turn out, your mind wants an answer. Repeatedly revisiting decisions, looking for reassurance or mentally running through different possibilities in an attempt to feel certain. It's exhausting.

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You feel responsible for keeping everything going

You're dependable — perhaps too dependable. Saying no can feel uncomfortable, asking for help doesn't come naturally, and other people's needs or expectations can easily take priority over your own.

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Your confidence has become increasingly dependent on how things are going

Praise, a successful piece of work or reassurance can make you feel better temporarily. But criticism, an ambiguous email, or a mistake can quickly knock that confidence. Imposter syndrome is never far away.

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The person other people see may not match how you feel inside

Colleagues may see someone competent, conscientious and in control. They may have little idea how much mental effort is going into maintaining that appearance — or how depleted you can feel by the end of the day.

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So, imagine instead...
  • Finishing work without continuing it in your head all night

  • Making decisions without endlessly second-guessing yourself

  • Handling mistakes without your inner critic taking over

  • Feeling genuinely confident rather than simply faking it​​

  • Having the mental bandwidth for a life outside work

It's often the most dedicated, high-achieving people that burn out.

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The aim isn't to turn you into someone who cares less. It's to help you keep the qualities that serve you, while changing the patterns that don't.

Text says 'Free ebook: REcovery from Burnout and work stress. a practical guide to help you understand burnout, reduce work stress and start recovery
What we'll work on
Uptrained Brain 5-step programme to overcome burnout, work stress and self-doubt: Calm, Quieten, Change, Switch Off and Thrive.

The five steps build on each other across the 10-week programme. You'll learn not just why stress, overthinking, perfectionism and self-doubt can become so persistent, but practical psychological strategies to help you respond differently. The emphasis throughout is on turning understanding into practical skills and long-term change that you can use everyday - in and out of work.

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This is the training that everyone needs alongside their study and career training - but that no-one ever gets. This is about making your brain work smarter for you.​​​​​​​​​​​​

Image representing brain first aid for burnout

1. CALM — Understand and settle the stress response Understand the stress response and the factors involved in burnout. When your nervous system is repeatedly operating in threat mode, thinking clearly and responding differently becomes much harder. You'll learn practical, brain-based ways to recognise and regulate your stress response. This will help you respond more effectively when pressure builds, supporting you whilst laying the foundations for the longer-term changes that follow.

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2. QUIETEN — Change your relationship with your inner critic That relentless internal commentary can drive anxiety, perfectionism and the feeling that you're never doing quite enough. We'll explore where self-critical thinking comes from, how it keeps stress going, and develop more helpful ways of responding to yourself — without lowering your standards or losing your motivation.

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3. CHANGE — Break the patterns that keep you stuck Overchecking, procrastinating, people-pleasing, difficulty saying no, seeking reassurance or trying to eliminate uncertainty can make sense in the moment — but can also reinforce stress and low confidence. You'll learn to recognise your own patterns and unhelpful beliefs and practise different behaviours that support both wellbeing and effective performance.

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4. SWITCH OFF — Stop work following you home Being physically away from work doesn't necessarily mean you've mentally left it. We'll work on overthinking, rumination and the beliefs and habits that make it difficult to disengage. This will help you to distinguish between helpful and unhelpful thought processes, creating a healthier psychological boundary between your working life and the rest of your life.

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5. THRIVE — Make the changes last. The aim isn't simply to feel better for ten weeks. You'll identify what works for you, consolidate your new skills and finish with a personalised plan for maintaining progress — so you're better equipped to manage future pressure without slipping automatically back into old patterns.

Picture of a calender and a headset with the text Book free discovery call. Let's talk about how Uptrained Brain can help you overcome burnout and thrive.

Exactly what you'll get

Digital resources​

Weekly bite-sized, evidence-based material, exercises, quizzes, and downloadable resources to help you translate psychological understanding into everyday change. Designed to allow you to work through flexibly, alongside a demanding professional life.

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But you won't be alone...

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3 hours of private one-to-one support with me

This time with an experienced Chartered Psychologist allows us to tailor the experience to you personally. We'll work on understanding the root causes of your difficulties, and your unhelpful patterns and beliefs - so you get the most possible from your time investment and learning.

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Session 1: Understanding your individual patterns and establishing goals

Session 2: Review progress, troubleshoot, personalise and motivate

Session 3: Consolidate change; your future plan

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Minimum 10 x weekly live small group Q & A sessions

Bring questions, troubleshoot difficulties, get expert guidance, join a like-minded community, and stay motivated. (Attendance optional, to remain flexible around a full life.)

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Your sustainable future plan

A written, personalised 'blueprint' for how you maintain progress once the programme has ended.​​

A programme built from experience — not off the shelf

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Uptrained Brain brings together psychological research, more than 25 years of professional experience, what I've learned helping clients make lasting changes, my background in online teaching — and my own experience of burnout.

Why work with me?
ChatGPT Image Aug 19, 2026, 01_15_43 PM_

Dr Jill Williams, PhD, AFBPsS, C.Psychol, MBACP

Psychologist & Burnout Coach

Logo showing I'm a British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist

Your guarantee of expert, ethical service.

Find out more About Me, or check out my Ultimate Guide to Burnout blogs.

Picture of a calender and a headset with the text Book free discovery call. Let's talk about how Uptrained Brain can help you overcome burnout and thrive.

​​​Psychology is my passion and profession.

 

Burnout became personal.

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I’ve spent more than 25 years working in psychology. First in research, lecturing and student support, later in helping people understand the thoughts and behaviours that influence how they feel and behave.

 

I’m a Chartered Psychologist and Registered Counsellor, so Uptrained Brain is grounded in established psychological knowledge rather than generic wellbeing advice or motivational coaching.

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But my understanding of burnout isn't purely professional - I have my own personal story of burnout and recovery.

I know how confusing, isolating, physically and emotionally devastating it can feel - despite appearing 'fine' to my colleagues. That experience changed not only how I understood burnout, but how I worked with it.​

Founding Cohort

Starting late September 2026

Join the first Uptrained Brain programme

A deliberately small group. More access to me. Significantly reduced founding rate.

Future programme price will be £1,200+​​

Founding rate £625

Summary of the advantages of the Uptrained Brain progtamme for burnout, stress anincluding low confidence. Includes digital learning and access to chartered psychologist and burnout specialist.

Why is the founding rate so much lower?

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This is the first Uptrained Brain cohort.​ As a founding member, you'll receive the complete programme at £625 rather than the £1,200+  that I expect to charge for future cohorts. In return, I'll ask for your honest, anonymous feedback about your experience of the programme.

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You'll also benefit from a deliberately small first cohort and more access to me than I expect to be able to offer in future programme runnings... so any sticking points you may run into can be quickly sorted and won't affect your progress.​

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Interested in joining the September 2026 Uptrained Brain cohort?

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The first step it to book a free 60-minute discovery call with me. We'll talk about what's been happening for you and what you'd like to change. And you can see whether you connect with me (because that's important too).

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There will be no sales pitch. It’s a chance for us both to decide whether Uptrained Brain is the right fit. I only want you to join if I genuinely believe the programme is appropriate for you and likely to help — there’s no benefit to either of us in getting that match wrong.

Dr Jill Williams Psychologist relaxed outdoors with a dog

IS UPTRAINED BRAIN RIGHT FOR ME? The Uptrained Brain programme is designed for professionals who are functioning in their everyday lives but struggling with work-related stress, burnout, overthinking, self-criticism or low confidence. It is not a substitute for individual psychological treatment where someone is currently experiencing significant mental health difficulties. If you're unsure whether the programme is appropriate for you, we can discuss this confidentially during your free suitability call.

Picture of a calender and a headset with the text Book free discovery call. Let's talk about how Uptrained Brain can help you overcome burnout and thrive.

"I hadn’t expected to feel relief, reassurance and hope that things could actually be better- that there could be a different version of my day to day reality...But I did feel all of those emotions and that is testament to Jill . Jill carefully nurtured my self-confidence, self-compassion and assertiveness.  It meant changing the habits of a lifetime - but Jill gently coaxed me along and adapted her techniques as and when she needed to. Compassion, empathy, humour, no-nonsense straight talk - I had all that and more. ​ I will be forever grateful to her for the positive impact she has had on my mental health. I literally wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her."

Not ready to book a call?
Get started with my free Recovery from Burnout & Work Stress e-book.

Book an informal, no-pressure  free call. 

 

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ReThink Therapy & Uptrained Brain Coaching

Unit R, Anson House

1 Cae'r Llynen

Llandudno Junction LL31 9LS

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North Wales based - Helping people across the UK

Gwynedd, Anglesey, Bangor, Conwy, Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire,  Rhyl, Prestatyn, Flint, Flintshire, Wrexham, Deeside, Chester.

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Psychologist - Executive Coach - Counsellor - Burnout Coach - Confidence Coach - Work Stress Coach - Corporate Wellbeing Packages

©2026 by Jill Williams

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