Anxiety Therapist in Chicago, IL

You didn’t realize how much you were carrying—until your emotions started showing up in ways you couldn’t ignore. The panic attacks, the racing thoughts that keep you up at night, the constant burnout from taking care of everything and everyone... except yourself.

You know something needs to change. But how do you find an anxiety therapist in Chicago, IL that you can truly trust—someone who gets what you’re going through, without judgment?

Hi, I’m Shirley Khong, a licensed therapist in Chicago. I help individuals and couples slow down, reconnect with themselves, and begin to heal the emotional patterns that keep them stuck. My work is grounded in Psychodynamic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and mindfulness—blended with curiosity, compassion, and real-life tools you can actually use.

In our work together, you’ll learn how to regulate emotions, communicate your needs clearly, and feel more present in your life. These skills don’t just help you—they create a ripple effect in your relationships, your family, and future generations.

This work is deeply personal to me not just as a therapist, but as a second-generation daughter of immigrants. Growing up, I was always curious why certain emotions felt so overwhelming for people—and how unspoken pain could lead to conflict, distance, or broken relationships. I saw it in my own family and community, where seeking therapy was often viewed as weakness. That curiosity eventually became a calling.

That curiosity led me into the world of therapy—and into a Master’s program where I could start to help shift the stigma around mental health in my own community. I wanted to learn how to break generational patterns, how to raise my future kids without passing down trauma or fear-based beliefs, and how to understand the unspoken emotional legacies we carry. And I carry deep gratitude for my grandparents and parents, whose sacrifices gave me the opportunity to do this work.

Therapy has helped me meet my own anxiety and guilt with more understanding. I now hold space for others—especially during the messy, uncomfortable moments we’re taught to avoid. I bring a grounded, spiritually influenced approach, shaped by Buddhist practice, that helps us slow down and reconnect with what really matters.

I'm always learning—through books, podcasts, trainings, and conversations. When something makes me think of you or your journey, I’ll share it with care.

Let’s take the next step together.
Click below to schedule a free 15-minute Zoom consultation for therapy in Chicago, IL. Or click here to learn more about my specialties and how I can support you.