Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Evanston, IL

I am a clinical psychologist licensed in California and Illinois, and can see clients from both states. I support clients with variety of mental health conditions such as mood disorders, relationships issues, addictions, stress management, sport and performance psychology and health behaviors, trauma, insomnia and eating disorders. My therapy style is personable, connected, focused, and attuned.

Some weight is hard to name. Grief that surfaces unexpectedly. Trauma that won’t stay in the past. Anxiety that makes the present feel unmanageable. Whatever you’re carrying, I’m here to help you make sense of it.

I work with adults and adolescents, navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions, including end-of-life care for individuals and families facing serious illness. With 8 years of experience across criminal justice and clinical social work, I bring a grounded, practical perspective to therapy, one that takes your full story into account, not just the presenting problem.

My approach is client-centered, strengths-based, and collaborative. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel heard, respected, and free from judgment. Together, we can better understand what you’re experiencing, build meaningful coping strategies, and identify practical steps toward healing and greater emotional well-being.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Wherever you are in your journey, I’m here to meet you there.

⭐ I’m Shelly Lewin, LCSW/LICSW, a therapist with 31 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, identity issues, and major life transitions. I provide virtual therapy across Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico, and West Virginia, offering accessible, evidence‐based care to clients seeking meaningful and lasting change. I have 30+ years of experience in private practice and leadership roles at organizations including:

• The Joint Commission
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Kaiser Permanente
• Common Spirit
• Mount Sinai Health System

This background allows me to offer deep clinical expertise paired with practical, real‐world understanding of how people heal and grow. My approach is warm, collaborative, open‐minded, and affirming. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready for change, I’m here to walk beside you with steady support and clinically grounded guidance. I specialize in therapy for adults experiencing:

• Anxiety & panic disorders
• Depression & mood disorders
• PTSD and trauma recovery
• Substance use and addiction
• LGBTQIA+ affirmative care
• Men’s issues & identity exploration
• Life and career transitions
• Chronic illness & long-term stress

Additional areas of expertise include: Bipolar disorder, OCD, grief & loss, workplace stress, anger management, cultural/ethnic identity issues, expat adjustment, relationship issues, family challenges, and end-of-life concerns

Chronic stress and anxiety can steal all your energy until you have nothing left for everyday problems. When problems are ignored, they multiply, get bigger. If you don’t cut the grass for too long, it becomes thick and could be full of snakes and spiders. Leave the dishes unwashed in the sink for enough time and there will be more there to clean than old food. The problem becomes more than a chore, now it is a threat, and even harder to face. These things can pile up over time and leave you feeling hopeless. If this sounds familiar, I am happy you read this, because you are exactly the kind of person I like to work with.

You CAN take back your life, and there is nothing I love more than helping my patients do that. It can be intimidating to reach out to someone for help, but you should know I am more than happy to speak with you. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation and we'll figure out the best next step.

I believe mental health care works best when it is collaborative, respectful, and personalized.