Top-Rated Chicago Therapy for Burnout | Still Oak Counseling
You've been running on empty for so long that you're not sure what "full" even feels like anymore. Maybe you're doing everything right on paper—hitting deadlines, showing up for others, keeping it together—but inside, you're exhausted, disconnected, and wondering how much longer you can keep this up.
At Still Oak Counseling, I help high-achievers in Chicago move from surviving to actually living again through trauma-informed burnout therapy that helps you heal at the root. Contact me when you’re ready to begin.
Meet your Chicago burnout therapist
Elizabeth Bodett Dresser
Hi, I’m Elizabeth. I specialize in helping overachievers quiet their inner critic and rebuild trust in themselves. Through a relational, Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach, I’m here to help you understand why you’ve reached burnout—and, more importantly, how to stop the cycle for good.
Offers burnout counseling ✓
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Clientele: Adults
Location: Chicago, IL 60602
Virtual therapy?: Yes
How therapy for burnout can help
You'll understand the “why” behind your burnout
Sure, a stressful job and limited downtime can contribute to burnout—but they’re usually not the only culprits. In my experience, burnout usually has many underlying factors, including deeper patterns like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or old beliefs that you're only valuable when you're producing. In therapy, we'll explore where these patterns come from and why they've stuck around, so you can actually change them instead of just white-knuckling your way through life.
You'll learn to set boundaries without the guilt spiral
Many high-achievers know they should set boundaries but feel selfish or anxious when they try. We'll work on recognizing where your "yes" is actually a "please don't be disappointed in me," and practice saying no in a way that feels authentic. It feels uncomfortable and unfamiliar at first, but we’ll work through those feelings together.
You'll reconnect with what actually matters to you
When you're burned out, it's easy to lose sight of what you want your life to look like beyond just getting through the day. Therapy creates space to slow down, check in with yourself, and rediscover what brings you joy, meaning, and a sense of purpose that isn't tied to productivity.
You'll develop self-compassion (even if that sounds cheesy)
You're probably really good at being understanding toward others, but terrible at extending that same kindness to yourself. We'll work with the parts of you that are critical and demanding, helping you build a kinder relationship with yourself—one where rest doesn't have to be earned and mistakes don't define your worth.
Common signs of burnout
Feeling exhausted no matter how much you sleep
Going through the motions but not actually feeling present in your life
Struggling to care about things that used to matter to you
Constant guilt that you're not doing enough, even when you're doing everything
Feeling like a fraud or impostor, waiting to be "found out"
Physical symptoms like tension headaches, stomach issues, or autoimmune flare-ups
Snapping at people you care about over small things
Dreading things you used to enjoy (or at least tolerate)
Overthinking everything to the point of decision paralysis
Feeling like you're running on autopilot and can't remember the last time you truly relaxed
What to expect from the therapy process
Step 1. We'll start by understanding your patterns
In our first few sessions, we'll explore what burnout looks like for you specifically—the situations that trigger it, the parts of yourself that keep pushing, and the underlying beliefs driving your overachievement.
Step 2. We'll identify the parts of you that need attention
Using Internal Family Systems, we'll work with the different parts of yourself—the perfectionist, the inner critic, the part that's terrified of disappointing people. Instead of fighting these parts, you'll learn to understand what they're trying to protect you from.
Step 3. We'll create practical strategies for real life
Insight is great, but you also need tools you can actually use. We'll work on concrete ways to manage anxiety, set boundaries, and interrupt the overthinking loops so that you're not just understanding your patterns—you're actively changing them.
Step 4. We'll build a different relationship with yourself
Over time, therapy empowers you to move beyond simply managing your burnout and into developing quiet confidence, trusting your own needs and instincts, and creating a life where you feel like yourself again (instead of just a very efficient productivity machine).
FAQs about burnout counseling
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Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress—often from overworking, perfectionism, or constantly putting others' needs before your own. It goes beyond typical stress or feeling tired; it's feeling depleted, disconnected, and like you've lost yourself somewhere along the way.
Keep in mind that burnout isn’t a clinical diagnosis, so it’s okay if you’re not certain whether what you’re experiencing is burnout or something else. Therapy can likely help regardless.
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Yes, though it requires making some changes to how you work, not just how much you work. Recovery often involves setting better boundaries, challenging perfectionism, and learning to prioritize differently. You don't necessarily need to quit your job (though sometimes that is the answer), but you do need to examine why you're burning out and change your relationship with work and productivity in order to effectively recover.
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There's not just one "best" type of therapy for burnout—what matters most is finding an approach that addresses the root causes, not just the symptoms. In my experience as a therapist, Internal Family Systems (IFS) is particularly effective because it helps you understand the parts of yourself that drive the patterns contributing to burnout.
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I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help you understand the different parts of your internal “family” and how they may play a role in your burnout experience. We'll work on developing self-compassion, setting boundaries that actually stick, and reconnecting with who you are beyond your productivity. My approach balances insight with practical action so you can both deal with the burnout symptoms impacting your life right now and work on making sustainable changes to contribute to your future well-being.
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Finding the right therapist—not just any therapist—is a key part of effective burnout counseling. Here are some signs that we may be a good match:
You're a high-achiever in a demanding career (think marketing, law, finance) who's tired of just pushing through
You want longer-term therapy that gets to the deep stuff, not just surface-level coping strategies
You're specifically interested in IFS therapy and working with the perfectionist/inner critic parts of yourself
You appreciate a therapist who's professional but also has a sense of humor (because therapy doesn't have to be stiff)
You want flexible virtual sessions that fit your schedule
The best way to know for sure is to schedule a free intro call. We'll talk about what you're dealing with, what you're hoping therapy can do, and whether my approach feels like the right fit for where you are right now.
Start working with a Chicago burnout therapist today
You don't have to keep running on empty. If you're ready to understand why you burn out and build a different relationship with work, rest, and yourself, I'd love to connect with you.