Therapists in Hoffman Estates, IL

Shira Behal is a therapist with experience, who knows how to weave different approaches together to find the right one for you. Shira is someone who listens, and also educates and guides. Someone to help you reach your goals and grow into a life that matches your values. Someone ready to do the deep work, and stay with you through the long work. Shira is a therapist who knows that healing takes a balance between the intellect, the emotional mind, and the body.

We all experience difficult emotions throughout the course of our lives. Pain, of all kinds, is a part of the human experience. Significant problems arise when pain turns into suffering. I believe by changing the way we view ourselves and view the world, we can alleviate suffering. My goal in therapy is to create a space for you to explore new ways of experiencing life's most difficult emotions.

An awakening is emerging as you seek professional counseling. By noticing the personal imbalance within you or with someone you care about, you are paying attention to your deeper intuition. Perhaps the incongruities have to do with depression; anxiety; relationship dissonances; family of origin woundedness; separation and grief; parenting challenges; trauma-related experiences; or wonderment about your current being.

I enjoy working with children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum, ADHD/ADD, Learning Disabilities, depression, anxiety, trauma behavior concerns/challenges, bullying and those facing medical challenges through individual sessions, family group therapy, as well as collaborating with the client’s support team (school support team and/or medical team) if needed. I also have personal and professional experience working with the geriatric population and their family (caregivers) as they face life changing medical challenges along with life transitions.

Cherry Hill Counseling is one of the longest-standing counseling practices in the Northwestern suburbs of Chicago. Cherry Hill has seven locations including: Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills, McHenry, Deer Park, Chicago, Grayslake, and Wheaton. Our counseling services include: individual therapy, family therapy, counseling for children and adolescents, marital and premarital therapy, group therapy, and psychological testing.

With over 20 years experience, I am dedicated to assisting children, adolescents and adults in developing and strengthening interpersonal skills, recognizing and regulating their emotional states, creating healthier relationships and achieving new and positive goals.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with many years of experience. If you are motivated to advance in life and overcome the obstacles that may potentially hinder your personal, social and professional development, I will be the right person for you to work with.

To struggle is part of life, but it is not something you should go through alone. Mental health issues not only cause internal challenges but also difficulty with school, work, friends, family, and relationships. By allowing yourself to be supported, we can create a personalized treatment plan to fit your goals best. My therapeutic orientation is eclectic, but I integrate principles of evidence-based CBT, DBT, and ACT to bring lasting results.

I am here to walk the journey alongside you. Life presents many challenges and adapting to a new "normal" is hard and perception can be glum. It feels like your sense of direction is confusing and uncertain. Relationships have lost their meaning, abundance and joy feel unattainable, and support stands at too far a distance for you to feel grounded in love and security.

"When life brings challenges that exceed your ability to cope, it might be the time to consider working with a competent, respectful, and understanding therapist. I believe in living life to the fullest extent possible, and sometimes that means peering into your past to understand how the solutions of yesterday transform to the problems of today. Whether your issue is substance abuse, unhealthy expression of anger, depression, anxiety, self esteem/body imagine or difficult relationships with others; counseling can be your first step towards a healthy way of living. Make that first step in your journey towards wellness.

Do you identify as neuordivergent? Do you struggle with working with neurotypical providers? Well, I am a neuro-diversity affirming therapist and I know that the one-size-fits-all approach to mental health just does not work- this is why I offer a variety of personalized therapeutic services. I have a particular affinity working with neurodivergents. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and young adults who are struggling with acceptance, social anxiety, developing friendships, motivation, executive functioning, boundaries, and the list goes on.

I have been functioning as a clinical art therapist in the Chicago area since 2010. Throughout my career, I have actively engaged with diverse communities and cultures. I am passionate about working with adolescents, teens, young adults, and individuals of all ages. Currently, I am in the process of establishing my Art Therapy studio and am primarily operating virtually from home. However, please do not hesitate to reach out to discuss meeting in person for therapy.

I completed my doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Schaumburg. I am passionate about women's issues and I developed a therapy program for reducing postpartum depression while increasing the mother-infant bond for my clinical research project. I obtained an emphasis in Health Psychology that included training in hypnosis, relaxation techniques, pain management, and stress reduction. Additionally, I have an extensive background in domestic violence ad sexual assault. My therapeutic approach is eclectic utilizing interpersonal psychotherapy, CBT, feminist theory, solutions focused therapy, and client centered therapy.

I work collaboratively with my clients to expand their insight into all the relevant factors and/or influences that are keeping them from reaching their full potential. These factors often include, but are not limited to; the identified stressor(s) that brought them into therapy; the effectiveness (or lack of effectiveness) of their current coping strategies; the influence past experiences and physical discomfort can have on their decision making and behavior; and increasing his or her awareness of their individual strengths and weakness. Simply put, I systematically help my clients make appropriate changes needed to meet their identified treatment goals.

Does any of this sound familiar?….”Tried deep breaths. Tried offering help and comforting. Tried consequences. Nothing is working! I’m not sure what to do or say to help…” These are words we often hear when parents come to us looking for help. You are not alone. Whether we are supporting one through parenting, grief and trauma, just a bit of rough patch, or learning to navigate life with Anxiety, Autism, ADHD, OCD, or Sensory Integration differences, we are here to help you find your way. It is privilege to witness transformation as we join our children and families on their journey towards growth and healing.

My clients describe my approach as gentle and direct with a dab of humor. I do my best work treating individuals who have experienced interpersonal trauma, people who are navigating their role in complicated families, and those who have been emotionally abused. I tend to find success with people who struggle with depression or low self-esteem, people who work in high-stress or helping professions, and people who do not know where to start. I have experience working with people with Bipolar Disorder, PMDD, learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, auto-immune conditions, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, autism, & PTSD.

Danielle is here to empower families and adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma reactions, ADHD, behavioral issues, and many other struggles. Danielle supports individuals with whom need support surrounding gender and sexual orientation (LGBTQ+ community). She also has experience working with individuals whom are in foster care or have been adopted.