I support clients through life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and ADHD. Mind Freeing Psychotherapy was created from the belief that liberation begins within. When we understand our patterns, emotions, and values, we reclaim our ability to choose — not react. This work opens the door to more conscious living, healthier relationships, and a stronger sense of self. Maria Shenkman, MA, LCPC, founded Mind Freeing Psychotherapy to support individuals in navigating life’s complexities with clarity and resilience. She received her Master’s in Clinical Psychology in 2010 and has been practicing in private practice, school settings, community organizations, and executive counseling environments. Her multicultural background and dedication to integral psychology allow her to meet clients with both depth and practicality. Maria’s therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based treatment, mindfulness skills, and experiential methods to help clients build emotional intelligence, increase self-awareness, and create meaningful change. She offers a warm, grounded space where clients can explore challenges at their own pace, strengthen inner resources, and reconnect with the parts of themselves that have long been overlooked or suppressed. My name is Maria Shenkman, MA, LCPC, and I provide therapy for adolescents, young adults, and adults who are ready to understand themselves more deeply and create a meaningful shift in their lives. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, identity issues, trauma, ADHD, or simply trying to hold yourself together through a difficult season — you don’t have to do it alone. I bring an integrative, evidence-based approach shaped by my advanced training in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT), and ADHD Clinical Services. My style is gentle but active — I’m here to help you understand what’s happening inside, untangle emotional patterns, and build the tools you need to feel more grounded, confident, and in control. For many of my clients, therapy becomes a space to breathe, reset, reconnect with their values, and begin building a life that feels aligned with who they truly are. I offer:
• In-person therapy in a private, calming office space
• Secure telehealth across Illinois
• Sessions in English and Russian
• Support for immigrant and multicultural identities
• Trauma-informed, mindfulness-based, and skills-focused care
My work is rooted in the belief that each person carries an inner capacity for healing — and that when you understand yourself clearly, your choices, relationships, and direction begin to shift in powerful ways. Therapeutic Services
• Individual psychotherapy
• In-person and telehealth sessions
• English and Russian bilingual therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy–Certified (C-DBT)
• ADHD-Centered Clinical Support (ADHD-CCSP)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Therapy for Trauma, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
• EMDR Trained/Informed
• Experiential / Game Consulting method
• Strength-based and integrative treatment planning
Clinical Focus Areas
• Anxiety, stress, and overthinking
• ADHD in adults and young adults
• Life transitions & identity development
• Relationship and family dynamics
• Self-worth & self-esteem concerns
• Burnout, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion
• Trauma-informed support
• Immigrant, bicultural, and multicultural identity issues
• Grief, loss, and major life changes
Populations Served
• Older teens (16+)
• College students & emerging adults
• Young and mid-career professionals
• Adults navigating change, growth, or reinvention
Immigration evaluations (hardship, VAWA, asylum, waiver evaluations)
Culturally sensitive, trauma-informed psychological evaluations for immigration cases. These assessments help document psychological, emotional, and family-based factors that may be essential for an attorney’s legal strategy. Currently offered evaluation types:
• Extreme Hardship Evaluations (I-601 / I-601A)
• Asylum Evaluations
• VAWA / Domestic Violence Psychological Evaluations
• Emotional and Psychological Impact Evaluations related to immigration stress or family separation
Evaluations are available in English and Russian, with collaboration offered to attorneys as needed. Maria has conducted immigration-related psychological evaluations since 2019, bringing over six years of specialized experience supporting clients through this complex and often deeply personal process. As she completes additional forensic training, more evaluation types will be added in the future. For inquiries or referrals, please contact Maria directly. Additional Services
• Executive support & stress management
• Psychoeducation and skill-building
Coming soon: Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) as an additional path for clients interested in deeper transformational work.
