Reclaim who you are and what you really want.
Therapy to resolve unexplainable feelings, what’s getting in the way, and to find your own path forward. Online counseling available for adults in Cary and across NC, SC, VA, & MD.
You’re doing the right things, so why doesn’t life feel right?
On paper, your life may look perfectly successful. You show up for your responsibilities, take care of others, and appear competent. But inside, things are not what they seem, and you can’t ignore anymore that something feels “off.”
Days are monotonous, filled with fatigue or self-imposed pressure from work, relationships, or home life. It’s hard to pinpoint why, but the overthinking and second-guessing have become the norm, and it’s draining both your energy and confidence.
My clients often come to therapy not necessarily because they’re falling apart, but because they’re carrying too much alone. The burnout or sense of dissatisfaction they’re experiencing is often something deeper: an internal misalignment between who they are and how they’re living… and they’re ready to do something about it.
COMMON CHALLENGES MY CLIENTS FACE:
Chronic self-doubt, perfectionism, and internal pressure
Anxiety hiding under productivity or self-control
Feeling “stuck” or like something is missing, even if nothing is “wrong”
Burnout or discontent, especially in high performers
Identity loss after transitions (divorce, loss, career change)
People-pleasing and difficulty with boundaries or self-advocacy
Meet Joe Burke, LCSW
I work with people who’ve built good, full lives—and still find themselves feeling stuck, misaligned, or unsure why they aren’t enjoying it more. Many of my clients are professionals, leaders, or deeply thoughtful people who are used to managing, performing, and showing up for others (in both their personal and work lives). But somewhere along the way, they lost connection with what feels true and meaningful for them.
I’m here to help you hear yourself more clearly. In this work, we won’t be sitting in silence or burying ourselves in worksheets. I show up intentionally, listen closely, and reflect honestly on what I notice. I’ll often challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck and help you reconnect with what actually matters to you—not just what’s expected of you.
I strive to be more than just a supportive presence.
My role is both collaborator and thought partner—someone who helps you make sense of the inner discomfort, asks thoughtful questions, and guides you toward a life that feels more aligned with the real you. And while reflection is central to this work, it doesn’t stop there. We'll also look for the moments in everyday life where you can start practicing new ways of showing up, responding, and choosing what’s right for you.
MY AREAS of EXPERTISE
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You’re not falling apart—things that need to get done are getting done—but the tension isn’t letting up. And the mental noise is constant: worry, tension, second-guessing. While you’ve adapted to the pressure, it doesn’t mean it isn’t draining. In our work together, we’ll seek to find what’s driving that unease and help you build a calmer, more confident way of moving through your day and your life.
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You set out to build a life of purpose and achievement (and you’ve done it). But now that you’re here, something’s still missing. The success isn’t as fulfilling as you thought it would be, or the path no longer feels like your own. Therapy offers a place to step back, reassess, and realign so you can not only feel “better” but live more meaningfully.
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You think deeply, feel intensely, and often sense what others miss. But it’s also exhausting to manage day in and day out. If you’ve been told you’re “too sensitive” or feel overwhelmed by everything you’re holding onto, therapy can help you understand and honor your sensitivity, not as a flaw, but as a powerful part of who you are.
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It might look like you’re accomplished and confident, but internally, it’s another story. You can feel the self-doubt, hesitation, or need to constantly prove yourself beginning to wear you out. This work helps you find the confidence to trust your instincts and the freedom to stop performing for approval.
Is my approach right for you?
Therapy is personal, and it only works if the relationship works, too. Here's how you’ll know if we might be a good fit:
You appreciate someone who can be warm, direct, and a little philosophical, but always genuine.
You expect progress and growth, but you know that doesn’t happen overnight.
You value someone who can meet you intellectually and emotionally—someone who respects your experiences and gives you more than surface-level reassurance.
You’re not afraid of nuance. You want effective therapy, but you also value developing insight and meaning from your experiences.
01
Schedule a brief consultation.
A free, no-pressure call where we’ll talk through what’s bringing you in and whether working together makes sense.
02
Reflect and decide.
If it feels like we’d work well together, you’ll have what you need to make an informed, confident next step.
03
Begin the work.
We’ll start building a process that helps you feel a difference, where you can view yourself through an authentic lens, and move forward with a renewed sense of direction and hope.
Reconnect with your own sense of authenticity and start living again.
Sessions available online based in Cary & across NC, SC, VA, & MD.
