Gretchen Shay, LCSW, LICSW

Gretchen Shay is a licensed clinical social worker with licenses in both Illinois and Alabama and more than 13 years of experience in social work and therapy. She holds the credentials LCSW and LICSW, which indicate clinical social work licensure and training to provide therapeutic care across the lifespan.

Her clinical background spans a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship and family dynamic issues, parenting challenges, addiction and codependency, and intervention work. She also has experience supporting people living with medical diagnoses and their caregivers through illness, end-of-life care, and grief and loss. Her practice has included children, adolescents, and adults, allowing her to tailor interventions to each developmental stage.

Shay’s style is warm and interactive, grounded in respect, sensitivity, and compassion while avoiding stigmatizing labels. She blends cognitive-behavioral techniques with humanistic, psychodynamic, and rational-emotive perspectives, shaping conversations and treatment plans to the particular needs of each person. Emphasis is placed on collaboration so that goals and strategies reflect the client’s values and situation.

She recognizes that seeking change takes courage and approaches each therapeutic relationship with the aim of supporting and empowering people as they work toward greater fulfillment and well-being.