.

Hi, I’m Shira Galston, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist based in Chicago, offering therapy for individuals, couples, families, and professionals through secure telehealth. I have a warm and collaborative demeanor, coupled with a directive nature and style. This means I like to bring a combination of empathy and challenge, listening and feedback, space to vent and tools to move forward. My work is grounded in a relational integrative approach, rooted in systems thinking and shaped by continual client feedback. I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities, including IFS, EMDR, CBT, DBT, ACT, EFT, and the Gottman Method, to meet your specific needs. I bring energy, creativity, and practical tools to every session, and I prioritize creating a safe, open space where people of all backgrounds and beliefs feel welcome to express themselves. I work with adults (18+), couples, and families—including adult children and parents, siblings, friends, and even coworkers. Areas I often support include anxiety, depression, trauma, communication issues, career stress, parenting, and perinatal/postpartum mental health. As a mother of four, I understand firsthand how transformative—and challenging—parenthood can be, and I bring both experience and clinical expertise to that work. I also specialize in working with founders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. With experience cofounding a startup focused on founder well-being, I understand the pressures of leadership and the toll it can take on mental health and relationships. I help founders and teams strengthen communication, manage conflict, and cultivate more balanced, sustainable lives. I hold an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University and a B.A. in Psychology and Creative Writing from the University of Pennsylvania. If you’re curious about working together, I’d love to connect and see if we’re a good fit. I can also give you some great referrals if not. Either way, I'm happy to help!