Part poetic memoir, part hopepunk battlecry, a clinical psychologist documents her journey through professional burnout to healing and growth.

“Devastatingly honest, Ballad of Burnout reads like a confession made specifically to let you know you aren’t alone. A portrait of self destruction that manages to be a demonstration of self-compassion, and a reminder of the burdens we ask those who care for us to bear. A Ballad of Burnout sings with humanity, and it was just what I needed to read tonight. "

– Kelly McGonigal, PhD, Oprah's Magazine 2020 Visionary and best-selling author of Joy of Movement,The Upside of Stress, and The Willpower Instinct

“Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd, a friend, a colleague, and…human being, takes readers…no…wait…participants on a dreadful and wonderful journey into and out of the wounds and scars made by the capitalist and performance machine. Such a personal and revealing manifesto, touching the sorrow of overdone sacrifice and emerging into a Phoenix – a full resurrection into life and reclamation. She gets it, this journey isn’t over yet, but wow! What a ride. Thank you for bearing your soul and, through ingenious flow from page to page, inspiring me (and I know it will inspire others, too) into the capacity to rise and live wholly. This work is amazing, and I am grateful that you have chosen to share it with others.

- Robyn D. Walser, PhD, author of The Heart of ACT, co-author of Learning ACT, The Mindful Couple, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and The ACT Workbook for Anger

“Readers may find it terrifying to read a book about yourself…This was raw in the best possible way; in a way that we ask our clients to be, but often struggle to be ourselves. Or at least I do. Makin-Byrd lays her soul bare, describing webs that I imagine most therapists have been caught in…I was moved and inspired."

– Ben Sedley, PhD, clinical psychologist, author of Stuff That Sucks and Stuff That's Loud

"A journey that is so familiar in this modern world, where our lives are lost to things that don’t really matter, like emails and to-do lists.  Join the author's journey, and reveal parts of yourself that are lost too, and perhaps, choose to let the unwanted fall away. I thoroughly enjoyed sinking into this and reflecting on my own life. I think you will too."

- Louise Hayes, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Co-author of bestselling books Get Out of Your Mind and into your Life for Teens, Your Life Your Way, The Thriving Adolescent and What Makes You Stronger 

“Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd has written a heartfelt, raw, and brutally honest account of burnout. If you’ve ever experienced work burnout, you will resonate with Kerry’s story. Through her powerful words, you will glean deep wisdom.”

-Debbie Sorensen, PhD, psychologist, cohost of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast and author of ACT Daily Journal and ACT for Burnout