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Manasi Shankar, AMFT
Ages: Adults (18+ years)
Teens (15-17 years)
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!
Concerns:
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Bipolar
- Body Image
- Depression
- Diversity/Cultural Identity
- Divorce
- Eating and Food Issues
- Family Problems
- Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
- LGBTQIA+, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
- Life Transitions
- Panic Attacks
- Parenting
- Phobias
- Postpartum Depression
- PTSD/Trauma
- Relationships/Communication
- Self-Esteem
- Sexuality/Intimacy
- Social Anxiety/Phobia
- Stress
- Women’s Issues
- Work/Career
Special Interests:
- Acquired Illnesses
- Chronic Illness
- Disability
- Immigrants
- Navigating Cultural Identity
- Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Certifications:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Intensive Study/Specialization:
- Attachment
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Couples Therapy- Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Grief and Loss
- Premarital Counseling
Marriage and Family Therapists are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy with a family systems influence, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders that affect individuals, couples, and families. The Federal government has designated marriage and family therapy as a core mental health profession along with psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing. The State of California support and regulate the profession by licensing MFTs.
Educational requirements
Marriage and Family Therapists have graduate training (either a masters or doctoral degree) in counseling psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. Prior to a rigorous exam process leading to licensure, LMFTs must complete at least 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Before full licensure, LMFTs are called “Associates”. LMFTs are employed in a variety of private and public settings, including private practice, community mental health centers, and behavioral managed care organizations.
Do LMFTs only work with clients who are having problems in their marriages and families?
No. While LMFTs are qualified to do couples and family therapy, most LMFTs work with individual adults to not only enhance the quality of their relationships, but also decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.
How can a LMFT help me?
Like other mental health professionals such as social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, LMFTs help clients by diagnosing and treating common emotional and behavioral difficulties that interfere with functioning at an optimal level. LMFTs use empirical-supported counseling techniques to help their clients achieve desired goals.