Lily Shinn , LCSW

Lily Shinn is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Illinois with 25 years of experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, and low self-esteem. Lily welcomes clients who are navigating life changes, career strain, or parenting challenges and offers steady, practical support.

She aims to create an open, nonjudgmental space where people can speak honestly about their thoughts and feelings. Sessions focus on clear steps people can try between meetings, and on noticing what helps and what gets in the way of change. Lily draws on proven, evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide her work.

Over a long career she has supported people coping with trauma, compassion fatigue, chronic illness, and the complex emotions that come with caregiving and end-of-life concerns. She also addresses relationship issues, intimacy-related struggles, and difficulties tied to family of origin or blended family adjustments.

Older adults, people facing cancer or chronic pain, and those dealing with divorce, infidelity, guilt, or loneliness are among the concerns she lists. Lily also works with people affected by ADHD and autism spectrum issues, helping them build practical routines and clearer communication.

Her sessions tend to be straightforward and focused. She helps people set small goals, practice new responses, and track progress. If someone wants a calm, experienced guide through hard transitions, Lily offers a steady, experienced presence.

Evidence-based approaches and online care

Two evidence-based approaches are often used to address worry and mood problems: skills-based work that teaches practical coping strategies for anxiety and stress, and grief-focused support that helps people process loss and find ways to carry on with daily life. Each approach focuses on clear tools you can try between sessions to notice what helps and what doesn’t.

Lily and each client decide together which approach fits best. She listens to concerns, goals, and preferences, then recommends techniques and a plan to try. That collaborative process makes it easier to adjust the work if something isn’t helping.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video suits in-depth conversations and visual connection, while phone calls can work when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, shorter updates, or when scheduling is tight. These options make it easier to keep continuity of care and to fit therapy into a busy life.