Specialized Therapy

Self-Compassion Therapy for a steadier inner voice

Therapy for people who are exhausted by self-criticism, perfectionism, shame, or the constant feeling that they should be handling life better than they are.

• In-person in Schaumburg

• Telehealth across Illinois

• Helpful for anxiety, shame, and burnout

Schedule a Consultation Rates and Insurance

Local Care

In-person sessions in a quiet Schaumburg office where the focus stays entirely on you.

Whole-Person Focus

Connects the dots between self-criticism, anxiety, burnout, and the patterns that keep them in place.

Flexible Format

Telehealth across Illinois when getting to an office feels like one more thing on the list.

Good Fit If You Need

support that helps you move forward without using shame as fuel

This work is for people who are functioning well on the outside but exhausted by the voice inside. If you have tried being harder on yourself and it has not helped, this is a different path.

Care Style

Warm and direct

A grounded style that makes room for honesty without adding another layer of self-judgment on top.

Practical and reflective

Helpful when you already have insight into your patterns but that awareness alone has not been enough to shift them.

Built for pressure

Designed for people who hold themselves to high standards and need support that respects ambition without reinforcing perfectionism.

What This Work Supports

What self-compassion work can change

This work is for people who are functioning well on the outside but exhausted by the voice inside. If you have tried being harder on yourself and it has not helped, this is a different path.

Self-compassion therapy is not about lowering standards or avoiding accountability. It is about learning how to respond to yourself with honesty, steadiness, and care rather than with punishment, contempt, or relentless pressure.

Therapy focuses on understanding where the inner critic came from, how it shows up now, and how to build a healthier internal relationship that supports change rather than blocking it.

Harsh self-criticism and shame

When your inner voice sounds more like a judge than a coach. Self-criticism may show up as constant second-guessing, replaying conversations, or the feeling that nothing you do is ever good enough.

Perfectionism and burnout

When high standards stop being motivating and start becoming exhausting. Perfectionism can quietly drain energy, delay decisions, and make rest feel like failure.

Difficulty accepting mistakes or limitations

When even small errors feel disproportionately painful. This can show up as avoidance of new challenges, over-apologizing, or replaying moments of perceived failure.

Feeling never good enough despite high effort

When recognition, accomplishments, or other people's reassurance never quite lands. The gap between what you achieve and what you feel you deserve can become isolating.

Negative body image or chronic self-judgment

When appearance-related distress, aging concerns, or weight-related shame become a daily source of stress that affects confidence, relationships, or willingness to be seen.

Trouble responding to yourself with kindness under stress

When you would never speak to a friend the way you speak to yourself. Stress, disappointment, or vulnerability trigger harshness instead of support.

How It Works

A better relationship with yourself can become practical

This page reflects a central part of Dr. Djurovic's approach. Treatment may include self-compassion-based work, mindfulness-informed interventions, relational therapy, and cognitive-behavioral strategies depending on what is getting in the way of change.

The goal is not to become endlessly positive. The goal is to become more grounded, less ashamed, and more able to move through life with clarity and emotional flexibility.

Notice the inner critic

Learn how self-criticism actually speaks to you and what it tries to control or prevent.

Understand what shaped it

Look at past experiences, expectations, and emotional habits that made harshness feel necessary.

Build a different response

Practice a steadier, more supportive internal stance that makes change more realistic and sustainable.

Self-Compassion Therapy in Schaumburg and Across Illinois

Dr. Jelena Djurovic offers self-compassion-focused therapy at her Schaumburg office, a short drive from Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, and other northwest suburban communities. Her approach draws directly from the research of Dr. Kristin Neff on self-compassion, alongside mindfulness-based interventions and AEDP.

Telehealth sessions are available for adults anywhere in Illinois. If you are unsure whether this focus fits your situation, reaching out to ask is a good first step.

Contact and Scheduling

Ask about availability, in-person sessions in Schaumburg, or telehealth across Illinois.

Rates and Insurance

Review insurance information, private pay details, and practical planning before getting started.

About Your Provider

Dr. Jelena Djurovic, Psy.D.

Dr. Jelena Djurovic, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Illinois with over 10 years of clinical experience. Her approach integrates self-compassion research, mindfulness-based interventions, AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), and cognitive-behavioral strategies.

Dr. Djurovic completed her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with research focused on the mind-body relationship and the impact of mindfulness on depression and quality of life. Sessions are available in English, Serbian, and Spanish.

Illinois Licensed Clinical Psychologist | License #071-011433

Learn more about Dr. Djurovic

Frequently Asked Questions

A few quick answers about how this service works and who it may fit.

What is self-compassion therapy?

Self-compassion therapy focuses on changing the way you relate to yourself under stress. It can help reduce harsh self-criticism, perfectionism, shame, and the feeling that you are never doing enough.

Do you offer self-compassion therapy in Schaumburg, IL?

Yes. Sessions are available in person in Schaumburg, and telehealth is available for clients throughout Illinois.

Is self-compassion therapy available near Elk Grove Village or Mount Prospect?

Yes. The office in Schaumburg is close to Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines, and the surrounding area. Online sessions are available across Illinois.

Is self-compassion therapy helpful for anxiety or burnout?

Often, yes. This approach can be useful when anxiety, burnout, body image distress, or chronic self-judgment are being made worse by an overly critical inner voice.