Children (5+), Adolescents (12-18), College, Adults (20-30s)
LQBTQ+, Gender identity, sexuality, intimacy, Women’s issues, Self-Esteem, relationship issues, Life transitions, mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, breaking cycles of behavior, and resolving the past.
I grew up in a small northeastern suburb of IL. I received my B.A. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina and my Master’s at Roosevelt University in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice). Before entering the counseling field, I was a nanny for children ages 4-15. Being a nanny has taught me the power of play and the magic of imagination, and deepened my understanding of children’s needs emotionally and socially. Additionally, I worked with adults with severe and chronic mental illness, which was an amazing experience. The lessons and skills I learned from these clients are invaluable and have prepared me to work with clients with a wide range of needs.
Personally, therapy greatly impacted my life. My experiences in therapy had a profound positive impact on my life. I am forever grateful for all the ways therapy has helped me. Life is a difficult, complex, often painful, beautiful, scary, and an interesting rollercoaster ride. I became a therapist to help people cope, contemplate, navigate, celebrate, investigate, etc. all that life has given them. I strive to create a safe place where the only requirement of my clients is to simply be themselves. To provide space for clients where they can look at and talk about difficult experiences, thoughts, and feelings without judgment, to feel accepted, free, and allow themselves to be vulnerable and open to growing. Struggling with mental illness, grief, decisions, relationships, stress, self-esteem, loneliness, or even life as it comes can become hard to take on alone. I hope to make the ride of life more comfortable for my clients. I take a relaxed person-centered approach tailoring therapy to meet the needs of every client.
I provide my clients with warmth, compassion, and genuineness to build a trusting therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship is sacred, special, and most importantly unique to each and every individual. My goal is to ensure my clients feel heard, understood, and comfortable. I provide feedback, and interpretations, and utilize humor, honesty, and encouragement. I incorporate principles of REBT to help clients investigate the deeper “why” behind their behavior, thoughts, and emotions, along with using ACT mindfulness skills and value system. I find that as therapy progresses I will utilize psychodynamic concepts to further “peel back the onion”. Lastly, I often use expressive interventions such as drawing, journaling, coloring, music, etc. to help clients convey what they are feeling and process through alternative methods.
It’s an honor to work with each client and to be let into your life. To help people come to heal, love and embrace themselves is such an honor. I appreciate you reading over my bio and look forward to helping you work towards your goals.
Adolescents/Middle Adolescents
Going through adolescents can be such a challenging time. I remember how tough it can truly be going through middle school and high school. During these years self-esteem, pressure, sense of belonging, uncomfortableness, relationships, overwhelming emotions, etc. can sometimes be difficult to navigate. I strive to help individuals feel heard, accepted, and understood and help them understand themselves as well.
College
Going to college is why I originally sought out counseling myself. Heading into college can be daunting. It is a major life change that is both exciting and sometimes scary. Working through uncertainty, academic stress, belonging, etc. can be hard to do on your own and I hope to help you find comfort in a sometimes uncomfortable time.
Young Adults-mid adulthood
I’ve found these years are filled with so much unknown and deeper self-discovery that counseling can provide healing. Feeling tossed into the world and faced with the question of “who I am” is often distressing. It is a sense of uncertainty that can lead to greater levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and pressure. There are many social expectations placed on those through these ages that can become an added layer in life. Additionally, during these years individuals tend to face the past that perhaps was not always in their awareness and can be troubling to face, which is an area I find important to address to help resolve to push towards the future.
LGBTQ+ Community
I am passionate about working with those in the LGBTQ+ community. I have personally experienced the process of discovering one’s sexuality, and I know the process can be difficult. We live in a heteronormative society that creates unique challenges for those who are a part of the LQBTQ+ community and have experienced these challenges myself.
Along with understanding that sexuality does not define someone and celebrating who my clients are as whole people. Additionally, I aim to provide gender-affirming care and space for those to explore who they are and encourage clients to live their most authentic lives. I am here to support, encourage, listen, etc. members of a community that I care deeply about.
Depression, anxiety, bipolar, psychosis, PTSD, C-PTSD, and much more
During my experience working in community mental health and working with adults with severe and chronic mental illness I had the opportunity to work with individuals struggling with several mental health concerns. These experiences have provided me with skills to help a wide variety of individuals and see how mental health manifests uniquely in every individual and the importance of meeting each client where they are at and customizing therapy to fit every individual.
Intimacy and Relationship concerns
Sex and intimacy tend to be taboo subjects leaving individuals without a space to truly dig into what is going on. Whether it is discussing aversive experiences, dysfunction, kink, non-monogamy, communicating needs, affection, confidence, etc. are all topics I provide space for. One of my values is providing a non-judgemental space, anything and everything can be discussed. Also looking at navigating relationships and helping individuals navigate the modern world of dating, improving their relationships, and breaking cyclical behaviors.
For Fun
I have a wonderful red Doberman named Kashmir who is the light of my life and my little snuggle bug. If I’m not with friends or family I can be found buried in a book. I love reading, it’s my favorite pastime. Nothing quite like a rainy day curled up with Kashmir and a good book. I am lucky to have great friends and a wonderful partner who I try to spend as much time with as possible whether sitting around talking, watching reality TV, crafting, collaging, finding fun new places to explore or what I find the most special is just coexisting with each other.
Shannon O’Reilly, MA, Clinical Psychology