Shelly Flachs, LCSW

Shelly Flachs is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 12 years of experience. She focuses on practical, goal-oriented therapy that helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship or intimacy-related concerns. Shelly aims to create a respectful, hopeful space where people can talk through difficult moments and find clearer ways forward.

She uses cognitive behavioral ideas to help people notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior. She also draws on dialectical behavior approaches for emotion regulation and mindfulness practices to build calmer habits. Emotionally-focused ideas guide work on attachment and relationship patterns when those are part of the problem.

Shelly has worked with a wide range of concerns including grief, bipolar disorder, addictions, LGBT issues, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem, career stress, and ADHD. Additional focus areas include attachment and abandonment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, body image, codependency, and communication problems. Her background spans multiple settings over more than a decade of clinical practice.

Clients can expect collaborative goal-setting and straightforward skills they can use between sessions. Shelly explains tools in plain language and adapts them to each person’s daily life. Progress is tracked through small, practical steps rather than abstract promises.

She maintains licensure in Illinois and brings experience across related regional contexts. Sessions are conducted in English. Prospective clients who want to begin will follow the site’s intake steps to match and schedule a session.

How Shelly’s approaches translate to online work

Shelly uses cognitive behavioral methods to help people notice patterns of thought and change small behaviors that cause distress. CBT work online can focus on specific problems like anxiety, sleep, eating, or mood by teaching clear exercises and homework to practice between sessions.

She also uses dialectical behavior therapy strategies to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills. DBT-style skills are useful for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and developing steadier daily routines, and they adapt well to conversation and guided practice during sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shelly will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match goals and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds. The process is conversational and practical, with choices guided by what helps most in everyday life.

The therapist’s session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online therapy helps fit sessions into a busy schedule, allows shorter check-ins when needed, and makes it easier to try new skills at home or during a break from work. Licensed professionals can use video, phone, or messaging in different ways; check which formats this therapist is offering when you schedule.