Shobana Shanmugavelayutham

Compassionate, strengths-based counseling for life transitions

About Shobana

Shobana Shanmugavelayutham is an Illinois-licensed counselor (LCPC) who brings five years of professional practice to work with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, anger, and challenges with self-esteem and life transitions.

Background and approach

She emphasizes clients' strengths and believes individuals are the experts in their own stories, offering support that helps people tap into their motivation and resilience while navigating difficult circumstances. Her approach blends evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with attachment-informed and emotionally-focused perspectives to address patterns that underlie distress.

Shobana also offers specialized attention to hospice and end-of-life concerns, immigration-related issues, and multicultural matters, helping clients contextualize their experiences within broader life and cultural narratives. She frames therapy as a collaborative process, meeting people where they are and empowering them to take steps toward a more fulfilling life.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and build psychological flexibility, encouraging actions that align with what matters despite difficult thoughts or feelings; it is often useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, offering practical strategies for managing symptoms such as worry, low mood, and anger. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relational patterns and emotional bonds to improve interpersonal functioning and emotional regulation, which can be especially helpful when trauma or relationship stresses are central concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist collaborates with each client to determine which combination of methods fits their goals, preferences, and needs. This collaborative stance means therapy is adjusted over time based on what is most helpful for the individual.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into busy lives or long-distance situations. These formats allow licensed professionals to provide consistent, ongoing support while accommodating different communication styles and schedules.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, self esteem and depression, addictions, family and anger issues, coping with life changes, and ADHD, with additional focus on hospice and end-of-life counseling, immigration issues, and multicultural concerns.

What therapeutic style can I expect during sessions?

Expect a collaborative, strengths-based approach that draws from therapies like ACT, CBT, attachment-based methods, and emotionally-focused work to tailor interventions to each person's needs.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

The clinician has five years of professional experience supporting people with a range of mental health and life concerns.

What are the therapist's credentials and location?

She holds the LCPC credential and is licensed in Illinois with licence number IL LCPC 180.012070.

Can I work with this therapist if I live outside the United States?

International clients are accepted, and she is available to work with people who live outside the U.S.

Which session formats are available for care?

Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are costs and payments handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a session according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 5 years
Licensed: Illinois
Languages: English