Shama Joshi

Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions

LCSW Illinois

Experience: 9 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Shama

Shama Joshi is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people navigating stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, ADHD, and major life changes. She focuses on tailored support for each individual's situation, combining practical coping strategies with exploration of personal values and goals.

Background and approach

Joshi aims to help clients strengthen emotional resilience, improve communication, and move toward clearer decision-making in everyday life. Drawing on nine years of clinical experience in Illinois, she uses a culturally responsive stance that attends to identity and workplace pressures while honoring clients' unique backgrounds.

Her work spans many concerns including adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric issues, attachment challenges, autism spectrum considerations, caregiver stress, codependency, and separation or divorce. Joshi favors collaborative sessions that encourage self-understanding, challenge unhelpful patterns, and build skills for managing distress.

Therapeutic methods are selected to fit the client's needs and often include evidence-based approaches to produce practical change and emotional growth. She blends structured techniques with empathic listening to help people reshape thinking patterns, build healthier relationships, and pursue a more balanced life.

Evidence-informed approaches and online convenience

Shama Joshi integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to address unhelpful thinking and to clarify what matters most to clients. CBT provides structured tools to identify and shift thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and depression, while ACT supports moving toward valued action through acceptance and mindfulness-based strategies.

She also draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to explore relational patterns and how early bonds shape current relationships and emotional responses. This approach can be useful for people working through communication problems, commitment issues, or attachment concerns, helping them build more supported ways of relating.

Choosing the right approach happens together; the therapist works collaboratively with each person to match methods to their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. Clients can expect ongoing conversation about what is helping and adjustments when different tools might be a better fit.

Online therapy with her includes video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and practice skills between sessions while staying connected to a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, ADHD, and adapting to major life changes, plus many related areas such as caregiver stress, attachment issues, and divorce or separation.

What is her therapeutic style?

Her sessions are collaborative and compassionate, blending practical skills training with reflective work to improve communication, coping, and emotional resilience.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings nine years of professional experience providing psychotherapy and support to clients in Illinois.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois with license number IL LCSW 149019649 and practices with clients in Illinois.

Does she conduct sessions in other languages or accept international clients?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How is cost handled for therapy?

Cost varies depending on location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesDepression Coping with life changes ADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMoney and financial issuesMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

9+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English