I’m Chitaia (Sha-Tay-Uh), licensed clinical social worker, and I’m honored you’re here. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and have been practicing for six years, supporting children, teens, and adults through life’s challenges. I help clients navigate neurodivergence, executive function differences, anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, identity issues, and life transitions, guiding them to leverage their strengths and build resilience.

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I became a therapist because I know how transformative it is to feel truly seen and understood. Growing up, I carried emotions that felt too big to name and too invisible to be acknowledged. Connection made the difference — being understood by even one person opened the door to a version of myself I hadn’t known existed.

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Now, I aim to be that steady, compassionate presence for others. Therapy with me is collaborative, affirming, and rooted in empathy. I don’t believe therapy is about “fixing” people; I believe it’s about helping you reconnect with your own resilience, clarity, and inner strength. Together, we’ll explore your thoughts and feelings at a pace that feels safe, without conditions or judgment. You are the expert on your life — I’m here to support your process, not direct it.

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​Presence, authenticity, curiosity, and laughter are at the heart of who I am — and I bring that same spirit into my work, creating a space where clients can feel seen, heard, and free to explore themselves.​ 

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My approach is eclectic and blends evidence-based practices with a healthy dose of curiosity and creativity, always tailored to the person in front of me. I aim to help you gain insight into your emotions, make meaningful changes, and connect more deeply with yourself — all in a space grounded in compassion and respect. I offer EMDR, CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, and expressive and creative approaches. ​