How to Use Stress Leave Wisely: A Therapist’s Perspective
Taking stress leave is rarely part of the plan. Most people in Ontario wait until the very last moment, when exhaustion, anxiety, or burnout has already taken a heavy toll before stepping away from work. If you’re on stress leave now, or considering it, the question becomes: how do you use this time in a way that supports true recovery?
If You Are Considering Stress Leave
Start by speaking with a healthcare provider about how your health is affecting your ability to work. Check your workplace’s sick leave and benefits policies so you know which process applies to you. You can also begin psychotherapy while you consider your options. In therapy, we can explore what has made work unsustainable and what support you need next.
As a Registered Psychotherapist, I’ve worked with many professionals in Ontario who come to therapy during stress leave.
Some spend the time resting and avoiding work calls, only to return feeling just as depleted.
Others use it as a turning point.
The difference lies in how you approach the weeks or months away.
Stress Leave and the Law in Ontario
What Stress Leave Is (and Isn’t) in Ontario
Stress leave is a common term for time away from work when stress or another health condition affects your ability to function. In Ontario, the formal category and documentation requirements depend on the length of the absence, your workplace policy, and whether the absence is handled as sick leave, long-term illness leave, disability benefits, or an accommodation.
It is not considered:
- A vacation or holiday.
- A quick “reset” where a few naps will fix years of overwork.
- Time to keep working from home.
If you are considering time away from work, ask your healthcare provider and employer what documentation applies to your situation. You can begin psychotherapy without a referral.
The Difference Between Rest and Recovery
Many people think of stress leave as time to rest. Rest matters, but rest alone isn’t recovery. Without intentional reflection and support, stress leave often becomes an extended break that leads straight back into the same problems.
Rest means catching up on sleep, stepping back from the pace of work, and letting your nervous system calm down.
Continuing in the same patterns can create fear of losing your job. Recovery means addressing what caused the collapse in the first place: burnout, work anxiety, trauma, or moral injury, and building new patterns to return to work a healthier person.
Common Pitfalls During Stress Leave
It’s easy to fall into traps that leave you no better than before:
- Obsessing over the return date: Spending the entire leave worrying about when you’ll go back instead of focusing on healing.
- Isolating yourself: Pulling away from friends, colleagues, or family because you feel guilty or ashamed.
- Over-functioning at home: Replacing work stress with new stress by taking on every household responsibility.
- Skipping professional support: Hoping time off alone will be enough.
How Therapy Supports You on Stress Leave
Therapy offers a space to unpack what led to the crisis and to create a healthier path forward.
In online therapy for stress leave, we work on:
- Understanding the lead-up: Exploring what caused the burnout, anxiety, or breakdown.
- Processing emotions: Addressing guilt, shame, or fear of “not coping.”
- Rebuilding identity: Separating your worth from your work role.
- Practical planning: Deciding whether to return, pivot, or re-set your career path.
Planning for Your Return, or a Redirection
One of the most important parts of stress leave is deciding what comes next. For some, that means returning to the same role with new strategies and boundaries. For others, it means transitioning to a different position or even a new career.
Therapy helps you sort through questions like:
- What would need to change for me to return sustainably?
- What boundaries must I put in place to protect my health?
- Am I open to a new direction if my current role keeps eroding my well-being?
The Cost of Care Framework
I often guide clients through the Cost of Care framework, which includes four phases of burnout and recovery:
- The Drain: Why your energy is depleted and exploring symptoms.
- The Break: The crash or collapse that forces a stop.
- The Turn: Reflection and decisions about values, boundaries, and next steps.
- The Return: Re-entering work and life with clarity and strength.
Stress leave sits at the hinge between The Break and The Turn. How you use it determines whether your “return” is healing or harmful.
FAQs
How long should I take for stress leave?
The right length depends on your health, your healthcare provider’s assessment, and your workplace or benefits arrangements. Therapy can help you assess how you are functioning and prepare for decisions about returning to work.
Can a psychotherapist help during stress leave in Ontario?
Yes. As a Registered Psychotherapist, I support clients across Ontario during stress leave. Sessions focus on processing what happened and planning for a sustainable future.
What should I do during stress leave to recover fully?
Rest, seek professional support, reflect on your values and boundaries, and make intentional choices about your return or redirection.
Is therapy covered by insurance during stress leave?
It may be. Look to see if you have an extended health plan through your employer that includes psychotherapy provided by a Registered Psychotherapist. Coverage varies. Confirm the provider requirements and available amount with your insurer.
About the Author: Erika Mills is a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #15213),, CASC/ACSS Certified Supervisor-Educator and the developer of The Cost of Care framework, guiding professionals through burnout, stress leave, and recovery. Erika provides online therapy across Ontario, integrating evidence-based approaches with deep experience in ethics, narrative, and soul care.
