About Maria Shenkman
Focus areas
Anger Management
Bipolar Disorder
EMDR Therapy
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transition
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
EMDR
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Emotionally Focused
Dialectical (DBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English, Russian
Getting to know Maria Shenkman
I work with adults who look like they have life under control but feel anxious, depleted, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that insight alone hasn’t changed. My approach is warm, collaborative, and depth-oriented. Clients often tell me they feel truly seen because I remember the details of their lives and connect the dots between past experiences and present struggles.
I draw from EMDR, somatic and mindfulness-based approaches, and ACT/DBT skills to help clients move beyond managing symptoms toward meaningful change. When clinically appropriate, I also offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), integrating preparation, therapeutic support, and integration with medical care provided by Journey Clinical.
I hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, earned in 2010. My additional training includes ADHD Clinical Services (ADHD-CCSP), Women-Centered ADHD Treatment (W-CAT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, DBT, EMDR, and trauma-focused care.
I have a particular interest in working with women with ADHD, including those who have spent years compensating through perfectionism, overachievement, and constant effort while feeling exhausted underneath. I also work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma.
I offer telehealth psychotherapy throughout Illinois in English and Russian.
What should a new client know about working with you?
You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out or know exactly what kind of therapy you need. We’ll start where you are and work together to understand what has been happening, what you’ve already tried, and what you would like to change.
My style is warm, attentive, and thoughtful, with a willingness to look beneath the surface. I pay attention to the details of your story and the patterns connecting your past experiences to your present struggles. We also pay attention to what happens in your body, not only what you understand intellectually.
I won’t rush you into difficult material or force you into a predetermined protocol. We build the understanding, skills, and sense of safety needed for deeper work at a pace that makes sense for you. You can expect a collaborative relationship in which your perspective matters, questions are welcome, and the work is tailored to your needs.
I believe meaningful change begins with understanding the whole person—not simply trying to eliminate symptoms. Anxiety, low mood, and recurring relationship or behavioral patterns often have a history. Together, we explore what may be maintaining them and what needs to change for you to feel and function differently.
I integrate evidence-informed approaches based on your goals, history, and readiness. This may include EMDR for appropriate trauma-related concerns, somatic and mindfulness-based practices to develop greater awareness and regulation, ACT and DBT skills for navigating difficult emotions and choices, and deeper relational work to understand longstanding patterns.
When clinically appropriate, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy may also be an option. KAP involves dedicated psychotherapy before and after the ketamine experience, as well as therapeutic support during the experience.
I don’t believe one method works for everyone. My role is to help you understand yourself more develop practical ways to navigate life, and make changes that carry beyond the therapy session.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
We begin by understanding what brings you to therapy now, how your concerns affect daily life, what you have tried before, and what you want to be different. I’ll ask about relevant experiences, relationships, patterns, and strengths so that we can develop a fuller picture of what is happening.
Together, we establish goals and a flexible treatment plan. Depending on your needs, our work may involve understanding emotional and behavioral patterns, developing practical regulation skills, exploring the mind-body connection, or using a more focused approach such as EMDR.
For trauma-focused work, we establish grounding and stabilization resources before beginning reprocessing. We revisit your goals and progress as we go, adjusting the approach when needed. Between sessions, I may suggest personalized practices or small action steps designed for your actual life rather than generic assignments.
If we explore KAP, there is an additional process involving preparation, a separate medical eligibility assessment, the supported ketamine experience, and integration sessions. We discuss whether this approach is appropriate before proceeding.
The pace and duration of therapy depend on your circumstances and goals. My aim is not to keep you in therapy indefinitely, but to help you build the understanding and skills to navigate life with greater confidence and independence.
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Medicare
UnitedHealthcare
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Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Argosy University, Salt Lake City, Master's in Psychological Counseling
NPI number
1902416522
How soon can I make an appointment with Maria Shenkman?
Generally, Maria Shenkman has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Maria Shenkman's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Maria Shenkman accepting new patients?
Maria Shenkman generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Maria Shenkman's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Maria Shenkman accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Maria Shenkman is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Maria Shenkman online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Maria Shenkman using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Maria Shenkman work with?
Maria Shenkman works with Mind Freeing Psychotherapy.
What are common reasons for patients to see Maria Shenkman?
Maria Shenkman frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Maria Shenkman on their profile.
What languages does Maria Shenkman speak?
Maria Shenkman speaks English and Russian.