Get to Know Our Team: Shirley Gonsalves – Adult & Teen Therapist

My Journey Into Mental Health Counseling

My journey into the world of mental health counseling is deeply personal. I grew up in Mumbai, India, where mental health has long been surrounded by stigma, stereotypes, and silence. Choosing to pursue a career in this field wasn’t something that came easily, or without raised eyebrows. I still remember the moment I decided to take the road less traveled. After scoring very high marks in high school, I chose to study Arts and Humanities. That decision shocked a lot of people around me. In the eyes of many, the Arts were seen as an “easy way out”, a path for students who weren’t “smart enough” for science or engineering. I am grateful and thankful that my parents supported me wholeheartedly, but I still had to face judgment and a lack of encouragement from society.

The real turning point came when someone very close to me began struggling with mental illness. Instead of getting the help they needed, they stayed silent, scared of being labeled “crazy” or “psychotic.” Watching them suffer, not because support wasn’t available but because the stigma was so strong, broke something inside me. It made me realize how normal it is to seek help for physical health, but how taboo it still is to talk about our mental health. That’s when I made a promise to myself, I would be someone people could turn to without fear or shame. I wanted to create a space where others felt safe, understood, and supported. And more importantly, I wanted to help normalize therapy and mental health conversations, where every individual feels.

Since then, it’s been a truly rewarding journey. I became the first person in my family, and even in my community, to pursue a career in mental health. Today, I am living in the U.S., having completed my second master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and I am working as a Clinical Psychotherapist. To everyone who once doubted my path, this is proof that when you are driven by purpose, compassion, and determination, anything is possible. And to my clients and community, I am here, not just as a professional, but as someone who truly understands what it means to fight for mental wellness in the face of resistance, and the courage it takes to be in a therapeutic space and seek help.

My Therapeutic Style

I’d say my approach is warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental. I don’t sit across from clients pretending to have all the answers, instead, I focus on creating a space where you feel genuinely heard, seen, and accepted just as you are. I bring compassion into the room, sometimes a bit of humor when it feels right, and a deep respect for your individual pace and process. To me, the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of everything. I know how hard it can be to trust someone, especially in the beginning, so I don’t expect that trust to happen in the first session. My goal is to build that trust over time, together, through honest connection and mutual
respect.

When it comes to techniques, I take an eclectic approach, meaning I pull from different
therapeutic models based on what fits best for each person. I am primarily grounded in
Humanistic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These frameworks help clients understand their thought patterns, emotions and develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves. Depending on your needs, I also integrate evidence-based practices from Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and others. I tailor my approach because I truly believe therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; each person deserves a space and process that feels right for them.

How can Therapy Benefit Us?

Therapy can benefit us in many ways, but most importantly, it helps us to be in a space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves. It’s not about fixing you, it’s about helping you understand your thoughts, manage your emotions, and make room for growth. It can give you strategies to cope, clarity to move forward, and a sense of not being alone in what you are going through.

Bringing My Whole Self to the Work

Outside the therapy room, I am someone who deeply enjoys the simple things in life. Nature keeps me grounded, you will often find me walking by Lake Michigan in the evenings, just taking it all in. When I’m not outside, I’m usually in the kitchen experimenting with dishes from different cultures (and yes, making a bit of a mess sometimes!).

I have the biggest sweet tooth, there’s always some kind of dessert stored in my fridge or pantry. Lazy Sunday afternoons are my favorite: dessert in hand, a cozy blanket, and a good TV show or movie playing in the background.

I also speak multiple languages, which has helped me connect with people from diverse backgrounds, something that feels especially meaningful in this work.

Values and Personality

My idea of success has evolved a lot over the years. There was a time when I viewed success purely as a destination, something to reach, achieve, and check off a list. I used to measure my worth based on what I had accomplished or what I owned. But with time and experience, I have come to value the journey far more than just the outcome. Now, I see success in the process, the effort, growth, and resilience it takes to move toward a goal. Hence, reflecting on that process has helped me better understand my strengths, recognize my areas of growth, and become more grounded in who I am.

Another important lesson I have learned over time about my relationships is the value of setting healthy boundaries. Saying “no” used to feel uncomfortable, even guilt-inducing. But I’ve realized that being able to say “no” when needed, and having that respected, is a powerful act of self-care. When someone truly honors your boundaries, that’s a relationship worth cherishing. It’s a sign of mutual respect, trust, and emotional safety, all things I deeply value in both personal and professional relationships.

Fun and Lighthearted

If I could have any superpower, I’d choose the ability to teleport to India every day, just to be with my family. I am incredibly family-oriented, and being away from them is one of the hardest parts of living abroad.

If I had to describe myself in three words, I’d go with warm, kind, and compassionate. These aren’t just words I try to live by in my work, they really reflect how I show up in life.

When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a good plate of butter chicken or dal khichdi. Indian food is my go-to when I need a taste of home, and let’s be honest, it never fails to hit the
spot.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. If you’re interested in scheduling a free consultation or booking your first session, feel free to reach out. I look forward to connecting with you and creating a supportive, therapeutic space together.