Jenna Raethke, LCPC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud became more painful than the risk it took to blossom” -Anais Nin

I work with girls, college students, and young women who feel like they’re “missing out” due to stress, anxiety, low self-confidence, and ADHD (or suspected-ADHD.) Together, we can find ways to manage these symptoms to help you find more joy in your relationships, academics, career, and life.

Perfectionism & Pressure to Meet Expectations

Sounds like:

"I need to do things perfectly, in just the right way," or "If I don’t choose your player: get straight A’s, make varsity, go to college at this school, get (or already know) my dream job right out of college, get married first, then, I’m a failure."

Feels like:

Constantly feeling like you need to get everything perfect, whether it's school, work, or personal life. You have anxiety around making mistakes or falling short of expectations. It’s the fear of failure mixed with the desire to meet external standards, which increases your stress, exhaustion, and self-criticism.

Fear of Disappointing Others & Approval-Seeking

Sounds like:

"Am I really doing this for me, or to please my [family, friends, etc.]?" "I’d rather focus on other people’s needs because it's easier/feels better to make them happy."

Feels like:

A deep sense of needing to please others, often at the expense of your own needs and desires. This can come from our deep need for connection, acceptance, or validation. It can also lead to a feeling of being overlooked or unappreciated.

Difficulty with Boundaries & Saying "No"

Sounds like:

"I can’t say ‘no,’ it’ll hurt their feelings.” or “I don’t really want to do this, but I don’t want to disappoint them.” 

Feels like:

  A tendency to overcommit or take on too much responsibility, mostly because you don’t know how to say "no" or set boundaries (what even are those!?) This can lead to burnout and resentment, often making you feel guilty when you try to prioritize yourself.

Overthinking & Anxiety

Sounds like:

All your “what if” thoughts; what if I’m not good enough? What if people don’t like me? What if nothing works out for me? What if I make the wrong choice? Sometimes leading to anxiety ABOUT feeling anxious and panicky, which can hold us back.

Feels like:

A cycle of overthinking, second-guessing, and feeling trapped by your own thoughts. This makes your anxiety worse, especially when you worry about making the wrong decision, saying the wrong thing, or facing negative setbacks due to those decisions.

Difficulty Trusting Yourself & Your Decisions

Sounds like:

“What if I make the wrong choice?” “I don’t know what I want, and I don’t want to disappoint anyone” “What if people think I made the wrong choice?” “I need all the information before making a decision” "I tend to want everyone’s opinion on what I should do before I make a decision, I don’t always trust myself to make decisions on my own."

Feels like:

A lack of confidence in making the “right” decision and an reliance on others for validation or guidance. This stems from a fear of making mistakes or failing, and not being good enough, smart enough, brave enough, etc.

People-Pleasing & Taking on Others’ Problems

Sounds like:

“I need to make everyone happy,” “what if they don’t like me,” “I don’t want to be a burden,” “I’m not enough unless I’m doing for others,” “If I don’t do XYZ, they’ll think I’m being selfish.”

Feels like:

A tendency to take on others’ emotions and problems as your own. You might feel responsible for how others feel or think you can "fix" things for them, which can be emotionally draining and lead to neglecting your own needs. You have a fear of letting others down, and a never ending goal to keep the peace.

Emotional Intensity and All-or-Nothing Thinking

Sounds like:

“If I don’t do it perfectly, then I’ve failed,” “I’ll never be good enough,” “I did this one thing wrong, so it’s all ruined,”  "Either it’s all MY fault, or it’s all THEIR fault." 

Feels like:

A tendency to see situations in extremes—it’s either all good or all bad, there’s no gray area. This black-and-white thinking can contribute to emotional turmoil and difficulty being present. It leaves no room for mistakes or learning experiences.

Avoidance and Procrastination

Sounds like:

"I wish I could just quit everything, there’s no way I can handle all of this,” “I’ll be more productive later…” “It’s too overwhelming to do this now,” “I’ll just wait to feel motivated,” “I do most things at the last minute. I always get it done, but the anxiety it causes me keeps me up at night.”

Feels like:

The desire to quit or give up because the pressure feels overwhelming. This creates a sense of guilt, stress, consistent inaction and self-blame. Oftentimes, this stems from burnout, when you're trying to juggle too many things and can't manage the weight of it all, but don’t really know what’s worth prioritizing.

Difficulty with Self-Worth & Validation

Sounds like:

"My life isn’t that bad. What would I even talk about in therapy? My pain isn’t real." “Nobody really cares about me,” “I feel like a burden to others,” “I’m not lovable” “I don’t have the right to take up space”

Feels like:

A lack of self-worth or feeling like you aren’t good enough unless you meet certain standards or expectations. This can be tied to external validation rather than an internal sense of self-acceptance, which impacts your well-being, self-esteem, and an overall happiness in your relationships.

Differences Between Ideal & Reality

Sounds like:

“This isn’t where I thought I’d be right now,” “I should be doing better,” “I know I can do better, but I keep falling short,” "I keep getting stuck on what I feel things ‘should’ look like on the outside, and I can’t figure out what I want it to feel like."

Feels like:

Struggling with the gap between you ideals and your lived experience. There’s a disconnect in how you think things “should” look  and how things actually are. This can lead to frustration or confusion about your true desires and your responsibilities.

Whatever led you here, you are exactly where you should be.

My goal is to offer a space where you can step back, clear away the distractions, and focus on (or, uncover for the first time) what truly matters to you.

Every stage of life brings its own set of internal and external expectations—some realistic, but many not so much. Balancing the weight of these expectations can drown out your own inner voice, making it hard to hear what you really want or need. I understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate major life decisions while trying to quiet all the outside noise, and it can be so exhausting.

You might feel like you're constantly trying to meet the needs of others, sometimes at the cost of your own, which can create a sense of not being seen & feeling unappreciated. It’s normal to want some sort of validation, but it can be hard when it feels like no one is really seeing or showing up for you the way you need them to.

The worry about doing things perfectly, or getting it ‘just right,’ can often lead to procrastination and anxiety, especially when there's a fear of failure or letting others down. You’re doing your best to manage it all, but it's so easy to get overwhelmed, especially when you feel like your worth is tied to your achievements or meeting a specific image.

As for therapy—sometimes we get caught in the belief that our pain or struggles aren’t "big enough" to warrant the added support, but therapy is about understanding yourself better, gaining tools to manage difficult feelings, and giving yourself space to grow and heal. You don’t have to have a “crisis” to go to therapy, and sometimes just acknowledging these thoughts and feelings, and finding someone who can hold space for them, can help quiet all the noise.

Through my own life experiences mixed with the therapeutic work I do, I’ve learned the importance of resilience, self-compassion, and, perhaps most importantly, the value of allowing ourselves to feel what we feel, without minimizing or comparing. It’s common to downplay our struggles, but I need you to know that your feelings and experiences are valid, and you are so deserving of attention and care. 

Whether you’re a teen navigating school stress, a college student trying to find where you fit, or a 20-something wondering if you’re where you’re supposed to be: I’m here to walk alongside you. My approach is compassionate, client-centered, and focused on building a therapeutic relationship where you feel truly seen, heard, and empowered.

*Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to explore what therapy would look like together*

Contact us today!

A little about me!

  • I’m the youngest of seven kids, and I have four sisters and two brothers! One of my brothers is also my twin, and he’s been one of my best friends my whole life.
  • I was a waitress in college and loved it, but on my very first day I ‘no showed’ because I was too anxious to try something new! Luckily, they gave me another chance.
  • I went to a big university out of state for college & looking back I know I felt like I had something to prove. I ended up transferring home and finishing my undergrad and grad school in Chicago, just an hour from home!
  •  I taught myself how to play the ukulele with a little help from YouTube. Social media isn’t all bad!
  • Corn Dogs and bananas are my favorite foods, just not together!!
  • Opening a dog park one day is a dream of mine. How could you not be happy around so many wagging tails!?
  • I’m a mom to three! My son, and his FUR siblings, Mattie & Winston.

My experience

  • Bachelors in Psychology & Minor in Philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago in 2013
  • Masters in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Child & Adolescent Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2016
  • Internship & work experience in School Anxiety/School Refusal Adolescent Program at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates. 
  • Private practice experience working with children as young as 5 years old, tweens, teens, young adults, families, as well as parents needing co-parenting work and strategy sessions.
  • Specific training on School Anxiety, CBT, DBT, ERP, & ACT.

Why did I become a therapist?

My journey to becoming a therapist began early, almost as soon as I could communicate I wanted to understand. As the youngest of seven siblings, with a twin who was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age (though my diagnosis came much later), I developed a strong desire to support others, particularly kids and teens. This expanded to young adults and parents as I watched my own siblings grow up, taking on those tough transitions and making the difficult decisions that life inevitably asks of us. 

Since becoming a therapist, my personal experiences have molded and shaped the therapist I am today. I know the isolation that can come with major life challenges and transitions. I've learned even the good moments can be a very separating experience filled with comparison, self-doubt, and a fear of making the wrong choice. I also know what it’s like to be a person who doesn’t ask for help until it becomes a necessity and to focus on making others happy rather than my own needs (needs.. what even are those!?). These parts of myself allow me to see their counterparts in yours, so we can use these limiting behaviors like flashlights to guide us into a future where you get to feel more like you.

My own therapist (YES, therapists need therapists, too!) told me once, “if something feels hopeless, that also means it’s freeing” - if the outcome is hopeless, then you are free to prioritize you, to take up space, to set the tough boundaries, and make whatever changes you need to feel like you again, or perhaps, for the first time.