(he/him)
With more than 30 years of executive experience in leading hospitals and health systems, including Kaiser Permanente, Mount Sinai, and Northwestern Memorial, I am launching my private therapy practice. My professional focus has consistently been on helping individuals overcome fear, build confidence, and achieve meaningful goals. Raised in Chicago’s Rogers Park and influenced by my father’s resilience as a Holocaust survivor, I bring a strong foundation of empathy and perspective to my work. I hold an MSW from Loyola University and am licensed in AZ, FL, IL, KY, NM, and WV. I also earned an MBA from North Park University and an executive management certification from USC. Having lived and worked across the United States and internationally, I bring a broad, culturally informed perspective to my practice. My therapeutic philosophy emphasizes positivity, confidence, and persistence.
Your first session is about creating a safe, supportive space and starting a strong therapeutic relationship. I’ll explain how therapy works, review confidentiality, and answer your questions so you feel comfortable. You’ll share what brought you to therapy—your challenges and goals—at your own pace. Together, we’ll set clear, realistic goals like reducing anxiety, managing stress, or improving relationships. I’ll ask about your history and strengths to create a personalized plan. Therapy is a partnership: I use evidence-based methods like CBT, psychodynamic and solution-focused approaches and welcome your input. Expect a judgment-free space where you can express yourself openly. My role is to listen, support, and guide you. Together, we will focus on building confidence and clarity at your own pace.
As a therapist, I bring a compassionate, client-centered approach to every session. My greatest strengths include, empathy & understanding. I create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported. I pay attention to both words and emotions to uncover deeper insights. I tailor strategies combining evidence-based techniques with personalized care to meet your unique needs. My goal is to empower you to navigate life’s challenges with strength and self-compassion.
I work with individuals navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, burnout, financial stress, addiction recovery, relationship challenges, OCD, sexuality and identity concerns, and PTSD. My approach is holistic, collaborative, and tailored to each person. I draw from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, solution-focused strategies, and trauma-informed care. Together, we explore patterns of thinking and behavior, examine past influences, and develop practical coping skills that support lasting change. I focus on fostering hope, building meaningful connections, and creating solutions—without re-traumatization. Therapy is a space where you can choose how you think and respond, strengthen resilience, and move toward a life that feels more grounded, intentional, and connected.
Coping Skills
Men's Issues
Mood Disorders
Grief
Self Esteem
Sex Addiction
Jewish
Man
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Arizona
Aetna
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people find new ways to behave by changing their thought patterns. I incorporate strategies such as role-playing, identifying and challenging distorted thoughts and beliefs, establishing positive structure, routines, rules, and expectations.
Psychodynamic
I utilize Psychodynamic Therapy which is rooted in the understanding that recognizing behaviors for what they are can help clients build healthy coping mechanisms. By utilizing psychodynamic therapy, I help my clients answer why they do what we do, tying past events and subconscious constructs into present behaviors and behavior patterns.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I utilize Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) by incorporating positive psychology principles and practices. I have been successful in helping clients change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. This treatment method is a hope friendly, positive emotion eliciting, future-oriented vehicle for formulating, motivating, achieving, and sustaining desired behavioral change.
Trauma Informed Care
I consider the experiences of each client, and how trauma may have impacted their lives, what symptoms they’re experiencing and then I work with individuals to prevent re-traumatization.
Reality Therapy
I utilize Reality Therapy as a client-centered form of cognitive-behavioral therapy focusing on improving present relationships and circumstances. This approach is based on the idea that our most important need is to be loved, to feel that we belong and that all other basic needs can be satisfied only by building strong connections with others. Reality Therapy sees behavior as choices, and it teaches us that while we cannot control how we feel, we can control how we think and behave.
7 ratings with written reviews
March 17, 2026
I had a great first session with Shelly. He was non-judgmental. He was great at listening and absorbing all the information thrown at him during our first session. Thank you. I look forward to future sessions together.
October 4, 2025
vey good communication and very powerful orientation towards alleviate my depression and anxiety
May 14, 2025
Professional, personable, and a great listener and empathizer. I really enjoy my sessions with him and find myself looking forward to them.