Manasi Shankar, AMFT

Manasi Shankar immigrated to the United States in 2014 to advance her knowledge of evidence-based practices in offering therapy services to individuals, couples, and families working through a myriad of presenting issues. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Syracuse University and her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. As an EMDR-certified therapist, she is trauma-informed and strives to create safe spaces for her clients to process the most painful moments of their lives. Manasi believes deeply in the power of an approachable, empathic, and trusting therapeutic alliance, where she prioritizes facilitating a warm and compassionate environment, collaborating with her clients to alleviate feelings of distress. Manasi is also an active researcher and writer, striving to close the gap between disability-related issues and the discipline of Marriage and Family Therapy. Her research work allows her to employ interventions that are updated and empirically informed.

Manasi’s Doctoral Fellowship at the Chicago Center for Family Health expanded her knowledge and skills in working with issues related to disability and chronic illness, and utilizes strength-based approaches to her therapy. She has meaningful experience working with sexual/gender minorities, people of color, and immigrants. Manasi uses her skills to support clients challenged with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, loss, relational/family difficulties, and chronic health conditions. What she loves the most about the work she does is the genuineness and authenticity of the profession and being a small part of the lives of many resilient clients, while witnessing their process as they create meaningful change. In her free time, you will find Manasi with her blanket, a favorite book, and a cup of tea!