I offer a therapy experience that goes beyond just talking about problems. My work is collaborative, experiential, and rooted in the belief that every client already has the wisdom they are craving within them. I specialize in Internal Family Systems and bring both clinical and personal experience to the work I do with attachment trauma, neurodivergence (ADHD & Autism), and anxiety. I also provide compassionate, affirming care for LGBTQ+ and trans clients and I'm deeply committed to creating a space where all parts of you feel welcome.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Buddhist clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
Approach Description: My primary approach is Internal Family Systems (IFS), a framework for the human experience that is built on the idea that we are all made of of, and motivated by, different parts. Most of us have parts like an inner critic, a people pleaser, and/or part that shuts down. These parts aren't problems to be eliminated; they developed for good reasons and have been trying to protect you. IFS invites you to get to know them with curiosity rather than fighting them or pushing them away.
What makes IFS different from regular talk therapy is that it is experiential. It goes beyond the surface level. Oftentimes, clients can feel shifts in session. Not just intellectually, but in how you feel in your body and relate to yourself. And because IFS is guided by your own internal wisdom rather than a therapist telling you what to think or feel, the work tends to feel deeply personal and self-directed. I believe you already have everything you need within you; my job is to help you reconnect with it.
I also draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to help you identify and work with thought patterns that might be keeping you stuck, and mindfulness practices to help you slow down, stay present, and build awareness of your inner experience.
Education & Credentials
Shawna Stillwell IMFT-S
- Female
- License # 166.001593 (IL); F.2000147 (OH); 002697 (NY)
- Licensed in Illinois, Ohio, New York
- Practicing Since 2018
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee 120
- Accepts Insurance
- Anthem/BCBS, Aetna, United Healthcare/UMR, Optum, Cigna, EAP, Quest, Medical Mutual, Oscar
Shawna Stillwell Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of Illinois, New York, Ohio
- Online Therapy Details: I use Zoom for all virtual sessions
In my practice, I work with adults across a wide range of experiences, including trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationship patterns, LGBTQ+ , and neurodivergence. I use Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness, but I also pull from other approaches as needed. I am licensed to provide therapy for people located in Ohio, Illinois, and New York.