Simone Shepardson

I'm Simone Shepardson, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with nearly two decades of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I've worked across a range of clinical settings — inpatient care, partial hospitalization programs, and outpatient therapy — which has given me a deep understanding of how to meet clients wherever they are in their journey. I specialize in working with gifted populations, high-functioning autism, anxiety, ADHD, and family dynamics. I've served over 10 years on the board of the Illinois Association for Play Therapy and previously acted as a clinical advisor to the West Suburban Bipolar Group in DuPage County. Outside of my practice, I'm a professionally trained singer and musician, a dancer, and a devoted wife and mother. I bring my whole self — warmth, creativity, and genuine care — into the work I do with each client.

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and creative. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy — I tailor my work to each client's unique needs, strengths, and goals. Whether I'm guiding a gifted teen through anxiety, helping a blended family build trust, or supporting an adult navigating a painful life transition, I meet you where you are and we build from there. I draw on a range of evidence-based techniques and emphasize building resilience, strengthening relationships, and finding peace within yourself. I see therapy as a true partnership — you bring your courage and vulnerability, and I bring the tools, safety, and space for real movement forward.

Your first session is about connection and clarity. I want to understand what brought you here, what's weighing on you, and what you're hoping to achieve. There's no pressure to have it all figured out — we'll explore that together. You can expect a warm, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and safe. By the end of our first meeting, we'll have a shared understanding of your goals and a sense of how we'll work together going forward. I hold the time spent with each person as sacred, and that begins from the very first conversation.