Rae Shen MA, LPC 中文普通话

Therapy can be that space—a chance to pause, reflect, and rediscover meaning in your life. It offers a moment to explore who you are, manage difficult emotions, and move forward through grief, trauma, or life’s transitions.

Many young professionals come to therapy feeling torn between who they are and who they think they should be. You might feel anxious, burned out, or uncertain about how to balance your needs with others’ expectations. Perhaps you’re navigating relationship challenges, loss, or identity shifts that leave you feeling unmoored. However, as a therapist in Chicago, I offer a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and LGBTQIA+ affirming space where you can pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself—so you can move toward clarity, confidence, and belonging in both work and life.

In my clinical approach, I combine trauma-informed and solution-focused therapy to help clients manage anxiety, workplace stress, and relationship issues. Additionally, I specialize in working with young professionals, first-generation individuals, and LGBTQIA+ clients who want to cultivate balance, purpose, and self-acceptance. I also provide couples therapy to strengthen communication and foster understanding, helping individuals and partners deepen connection and growth both within and beyond their relationships.

Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially when you’re used to managing everything on your own. Nevertheless, you don’t need to have all the answers before beginning. Whether you’re exploring identity, searching for balance, or healing after change, I’ll meet you with warmth, curiosity, and care. If you’re ready to feel supported and understood, I’d be honored to walk beside you on your path toward healing and growth. Finally, learn more about our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy and how it can support your well-being.

“每个人都应该拥有一个可以真实展现自我、被看见、被倾听、并被支持的空间。”

就像电影《心灵奇旅》中所说：“你的火花不是你的目的，当你准备好真正生活时，最后那个格子才会被填满。”
心理治疗就是这样一个空间——可以暂停、反思，并探索生活的意义，无论是关于身份、情绪、人际关系、文化背景，还是那些塑造我们的重要转变。

我与那些常常具有深度自省、富有思考的年轻人和成年人合作——他们了解自己，却仍然陷在反复无效的情绪或行为模式中。我致力于帮助你为自己生命中的所有部分腾出空间：那些你引以为傲的部分，那些隐藏着痛苦的部分，以及那些你还在努力理解的部分。

作为一名双语治疗师和前国际学生，我将自身的生活经验与临床训练结合，支持来自不同文化背景、尤其是移民、国际学生、以及正在经历双文化或多文化身份认同探索的来访者。我特别热衷于与 LGBTQIA+、BIPOC 群体，以及拥有多重交叉身份的人群合作。我的治疗视角深植于文化谦卑与好奇之中，尊重你所带来的价值观、传统与故事。

我也理解，代际期望、信仰背景、以及在许多社群中对心理健康的污名化，可能为疗愈之路带来额外的挑战。在治疗中，我们将共同创建一个富有同理心和安全感的空间，尊重你的经历，并发掘你的内在力量与韧性。你可以在这个空间中，以更加清晰、自信、和有连结的方式面对自己与他人。

我的治疗方法是创伤知情、关系导向且以人为本的。我整合了接受与承诺疗法（ACT）、内在家庭系统（IFS）、叙事治疗、心理动力学方法，同时也运用认知行为疗法（CBT）和优势导向的介入策略。

在我看来，心理治疗不是千篇一律的模板，而是一段我们共同建构的关系，让疗愈与成长扎根于其中。

我拥有罗切斯特大学的心理学与音乐双学士学位，并获得西北大学 Family Institute 临床心理健康咨询硕士学位。

我会说中文，欢迎使用普通话进行心理咨询服务。