Chicago is a city of driven people. We take pride in this. Many of us juggle demanding careers, commutes, family responsibilities, social obligations, and the constant pressure to “keep it together.” On the outside, things may look successful and stable. On the inside, however, you may feel overwhelmed, depleted, or quietly struggling.
Stress is often treated as a badge of honor in professional spaces. Being busy, exhausted, and constantly “on” can feel normal, even expected. But chronic stress has a way of sneaking into our mental health, relationships, and sense of self in ways that are easy to overlook until things feel unmanageable.
When Stress Becomes Burnout
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired after a long week. It’s a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that builds over time. Many describe burnout as feeling numb, detached, or cynical about work they once cared about. Motivation drops. Small tasks feel overwhelming. You may feel irritable, resentful, or stuck in a cycle of pushing through the slog.
Burnout often shows up alongside guilt. Guilt for not being as productive, as calm, or as engaged as you “should” be. For high-achieving people, this can be especially painful, as identity and self-worth are often tied closely to performance.
Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is incredibly common, particularly for those in competitive or high-visibility roles. Even when you’re objectively successful, you may carry a persistent fear that you don’t truly belong, that you’re not qualified enough, or that eventually someone will realize you’re “faking it.”
This internal pressure can lead to overworking, difficulty setting boundaries, perfectionism, and constant self-doubt. It can also make it hard to accept praise or feel satisfied with accomplishments. Over time, imposter syndrome can quietly erode your confidence and may contribute to anxiety, sleep issues, and chronic stress.
Workplace Dynamics and Conflict
Workplace stress isn’t only about workload. Interpersonal dynamics such as difficult managers, unclear expectations, political environments, or strained team relationships can take a significant emotional toll. You may find yourself spending your time replaying conversations, worrying about how you’re perceived, or bracing for the next interaction.
Because work relationships are often unavoidable, these stressors can feel inescapable. Therapy can provide a space to process these dynamics, build communication skills, clarify boundaries, and regain a sense of agency in situations that otherwise feel powerless.
When Stress Turns Into Anxiety
For some, ongoing stress can shift into something more intense. You may notice constant worry, racing thoughts, physical tension, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or panic attacks. Your sleep may be disrupted, concentration can get harder, and even simple decisions can feel overwhelming.
In these situations, stress is no longer just uncomfortable, it’s interfering with your daily functioning. For some, this may lead to taking a medical leave of absence from work. While this can feel like a big step, it can also be a necessary step toward recovery. Intensive therapy during a leave of absence can help reduce symptoms while you learn new coping skills for when you return.
Work-Life Balance Isn’t Just About Time
Many try to solve stress by adjusting schedules or taking vacations, only to find the relief is temporary. True work-life balance is about daily boundaries, values, self-expectations, and the ability to disconnect.
Therapy can help you explore why it’s hard to slow down, say no, or prioritize yourself. It can help you reconnect with parts of your life that are important, without sacrificing your ambition or professional identity.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy offers a space to make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface. It can help you manage stress, anxiety, and panic symptoms, recover from burnout and rebuilding energy, address imposter syndrome and self-doubt, navigate workplace conflict and boundaries, and improve work-life balance.
Therapy can help you better understand your patterns, develop coping skills, and create sustainable changes.
In-Person vs. Virtual Therapy: What Works Best?
Both in-person and virtual therapy can be effective, and the right choice often depends on your preference. In-person therapy can offer a clear separation between therapy and daily life. Some people appreciate the physical space and routine of going to an office. Others find that being in-person helps with distractions at home.
Virtual therapy can be a great option for busy professionals. It eliminates commute time, offers more scheduling flexibility, and allows sessions to fit more easily into a workday. Many find that they’re more consistent with therapy when it’s easier to access. However, if you find that you are not improving with virtual therapy, you should try in-person if possible.
How Birchwood Clinic Can Support You
At Birchwood Clinic, we specialize in working with professionals across Chicago who are navigating stress, burnout, anxiety, and workplace challenges. Our clinical psychologists and master’s level therapists understand the pressures of demanding workplances and the unique emotional toll they can take.
We offer both in-person and virtual therapy and take Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna insurance. Whether you’re feeling mildly overwhelmed or deeply burned out, you don’t have to wait until things fall apart to seek support. Call, email, or book an appointment online to get started.
