Meet your therapistJake Bain, LMSW
Bridge the Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Be.
Sometimes you know where you want to go but aren’t quite sure how to get there.
You may be struggling with self-doubt, pressure to perform, shame, questions about your identity or sexuality, burnout, or the challenge of balancing everything expected of you.
You don’t have to navigate those challenges by yourself.
“We will identify what matters to you and explore what may be getting in the way”Learn More About My Approach ↓
How I Can HelpSupport for Pressure, Identity, and Life Transitions
You may appear capable and confident on the outside while privately questioning whether you’re doing enough—or whether you have what it takes to handle what comes next.
There are times when the expectations we place on ourselves—or the expectations we feel from others—can become difficult to carry.
You may feel pressure to succeed, uncertainty about who you are, frustration with yourself, or worry that one mistake could undo everything you’ve worked toward. For athletes, students, professionals, young adults, and others navigating growth and transition, those pressures can show up as anxiety, burnout, shame, avoidance, or feeling stuck.
In our work together, we may focus on performance pressure, shame and self-doubt, confidence, time management, difficult emotions, communication, changing roles, and meaningful goal-setting.
Therapy isn’t about becoming someone completely different. Often, it’s about recognizing what is already within you and learning how to use those strengths in healthier, more intentional ways.
Anxiety & Performance Pressure
Develop practical tools for self-doubt, overthinking, high expectations, and the pressure to perform at school, work, or in daily life.
Athlete Wellness
Address athlete burnout, performance anxiety, identity, balance, and the emotional demands that can accompany competition and transition.
LGBTQIA+ Concerns
Explore sexuality, identity, relationships, and authenticity in an affirming space grounded in respect for your lived experience.
Foster Care & Adoption
Receive compassionate support around belonging, family transitions, identity, attachment, and the unique experiences connected to foster care and adoption.
What Therapy With Me Is LikeCollaborative, Supportive, and Strengths-Based
My approach is collaborative, supportive, and strengths-based.
I believe you are the expert on your own life. You know your experiences, relationships, goals, and challenges in a way no therapist ever could. My role is to bring clinical knowledge, perspective, curiosity, and practical tools into that process so we can work together toward meaningful change.
We will identify what matters to you, explore what may be getting in the way, and build upon the strengths you already possess. Sessions may include honest conversation, reflection, practical skill-building, problem-solving, encouragement, and practice responding to real-life situations in new ways.
My goal is not simply to help you manage today’s challenge. I want our work together to help you develop insight and skills that continue serving you when the next challenge comes.
“My goal as I partner with you on your wellness journey is to assist you in bridging the gap between where you are now and where you want to be—so that you have found the skills within you to take on new challenges in healthy and positive ways.
— Jake Bain, LMSW
My Approach to CounselingPractical, Individualized Care for the Whole Person
My clinical approach is individualized because no two people arrive in therapy with the same experiences, strengths, environment, or goals.
I primarily draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy while incorporating additional evidence-based strategies based on what is most useful for you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps us explore how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we may identify patterns that contribute to anxiety, shame, self-doubt, or performance pressure and practice more balanced ways of responding.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers practical tools for managing difficult emotions, tolerating stressful situations, improving relationships, and responding more intentionally instead of reacting in the moment.
Practical, Strengths-Based Strategies
Depending on your needs, sessions may include motivational interviewing, cognitive restructuring, psychoeducation, role-playing, problem-solving, resource connection, case management, and advocacy.
As a social worker, I bring a holistic perspective to therapy. We may explore how relationships, family, school, work, sports, community, systems, culture, and lived experiences influence how you are feeling and functioning. That larger picture helps us develop strategies that make sense for your actual life—not just inside the therapy room.
A Little More About MeThe Person Within the Therapist
Athletics, Advocacy, and Community
My name is Jake Bain, and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker in Missouri. My story is rooted in self-determination, resilience, advocacy, self-love, and perseverance. Those values shape the way I approach therapy and the way I support clients in identifying their strengths, working through challenges, and building skills they can continue using long after therapy ends.
My path into mental health has been shaped by athletics, advocacy, community, and my own lived experiences.
In 2018, I became one of the first openly queer athletes to play Division I college football. That experience became an important part of my personal journey and led me to mentor dozens of other queer athletes and advocate publicly for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Sport Management from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, then returned to UMSL to earn my Master of Social Work. Before joining private practice, I gained three years of case management experience supporting youth and families throughout St. Louis.
I am licensed as a Master Social Worker in Missouri and am completing clinical supervision as I work toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
I entered this field because I have a genuine passion for serving others and giving back to my communities. Positive male representation in mental health matters, and I value helping people recognize their resilience, advocate for themselves, and build confidence for meaningful change.
Outside of therapy, one of my favorite things is going on adventures with my foster daughter.
Sports are also a big part of my life. I enjoy playing and watching sports—especially football and basketball. When I’m looking for something quieter, you’ll often find me in my backyard doing yard work or spending time with my two dogs.
Family, sports, community, and time outside help me stay grounded and connected to what matters most.
Fees & InsuranceClear Information for Your Next Step
Accessing mental health support should feel as straightforward as possible. Review Jake’s session details and payment options below, then use the scheduling link to see current appointment availability.
Session Fee
$125 per individual counseling session
Limited sliding-scale spots may be available.Insurance Accepted
Aetna & Cigna
Please verify your individual benefits before your first appointment.Session Details
Virtual counseling
Serving clients in Missouri
Teens and adults
Ready to See If We’re a Good Fit?
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
If Jake’s experience and approach feel aligned with what you are looking for, you can take the next step when you are ready.