Sharon Guan

Hey there!

I’m Sharon Guan, a licensed clinician social worker and therapist in Chicago, IL and the nearby Chicagoland area. As an Asian American women who grew up on the southside of Chicago, I totally get how tricky it can be to juggle different identities and culture while navigating today’s state of the work. It’s tough trying to fit into spaces that don’t always reflect who you are or the experiences you’ve had. It’s like fitting a circle into a square. That’s why I’m especially passionate about helping people from diverse backgrounds and marginalized, including BIPOC folks and queer communities, navigate their own unique challenges and find peace with their identities.

And just so you know, I’m “chronically online” myself! I’m a huge fan of anime, nerd culture, and all things geeky, so if you’re into that too, I get it! Memes and pop culture references are more than welcome—let’s keep things relatable and fun while doing some serious work together.

I work from a trauma-informed care perspective. I understand that past experiences, especially those related to cultural struggles, discrimination, or marginalization—can deeply impact your mental health. My goal is to create a warm, safe space where you can fully express yourself and begin to heal. I believe reconnecting with your inner child is key to rediscovering your true self and unlocking the potential for growth. I’m here to support you in not just healing but also thriving, with the right resources and guidance.

In addition to traditional therapy methods, I also incorporate art therapy and play therapy into our work together. I truly believe that art is an expression of oneself—whether it's through drawing, painting, or other creative processes, art allows you to explore emotions and experiences that may be difficult to express with words. It’s a way of connecting with your inner world and gaining clarity.

Play is also incredibly important—not just for kids, but for adults too. As grown-ups, it can be hard to carve out time for self-care or to tap into that playful side of ourselves, but play therapy offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with joy, creativity, and emotional expression. Through play, whether it’s role-playing, interactive games, or other activities, we create space to explore feelings and gain insights in a way that feels less intimidating and more freeing.

I pull from a variety of therapy approaches to make sure we’re using what works best for you, which include, but are not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.

When we work together, you can expect a supportive, down-to-earth vibe where we focus on what’s important to you. I know how tough it can be to deal with the stress of balancing different cultural identities or the pressure of feeling like you don’t quite fit in. Whether it’s processing past trauma, managing anxiety, or simply trying to figure out who you are, I’m here to help. I’m here to to help you work through the tough stuff but also celebrate what makes you unique.

I also believe in the power of humor and light-heartedness, so if you enjoy talking about anime, gaming, or geek culture, we’ll make room for that too. Every session does not need to be intense trauma work. It’s all about meeting you where you’re at and making sure therapy feels comfortable, not intimidating. Together, we’ll reconnect with your inner child, explore your emotions through art and play, and not only heal, but also thrive!