Daniel Shansky

My approach

I engage clients with compassion, curiosity and non-judgment, and help clients learn to engage themselves in the same manner. Many people struggle with persistent negative self-talk or self-judgment, which can block efforts to feel better; after all, it’s hard to enjoy life when you’re constantly beating yourself up. But I find that when clients discover a sense of genuine curiosity about themselves, the nature of that self-talk naturally changes into a more supportive inner dialogue. And once you’re “on your own team,” you may find your whole outlook on life changing for the better.

I work to treat the symptoms of mental health challenges, while also creating space to explore the underlying reasons you feel the way you do. In other words, therapy can be more than just helping you feel less of the “negative” emotions; it can also be a path to understanding yourself more completely, allowing you to live a life you find authentic and fulfilling. I believe that every person has the innate wisdom and strength to overcome the obstacles they face and rediscover meaning, purpose, and joy in their life.

Areas of focus

I work with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, work-related stress, and challenging relationships. I tailor my approach according to what seems to connect with each individual client, and often utilize a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parts Work, attachment-focused therapy, and mindfulness, as well as somatic and breathwork practices.

I am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and I work with people who are in active addiction, as well as those interested in exploring their substance use in a non-judgmental way. I view addiction through a harm reduction lens. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach to recovery, I’m interested in learning what’s happening (or what happened) in a client’s life that may be causing them to use substances in a problematic way. Once we identify and treat the underlying cause of the addiction, a person is better able to create the sustainable changes that allow them to live the fulfilling life they deserve.

I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a treatment proven effective for people struggling with the impacts of traumatic life experiences or complex trauma, as well as challenges with negative self-talk or self-image. I also have years of experience working with people whose mental health is negatively impacted by work-related stress and/or a toxic workplace, particularly those in the healthcare field.

A little about me

When not working, I do my best to enjoy all the things that make Chicago such a great place to live—especially the food. You can often find me at a corner restaurant, overly absorbed in a bowl of pho or a plate of tacos. On nice summer days I love getting out into nature, and on cold winter days I am often sitting in front of the TV getting my heart broken by my favorite teams (we all have our issues).