Sharon Asher, Psy.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist | NY & IL
Provides in-person and remote therapy in IL and remote therapy in NY Authorized to provide telehealth in over 30 states through PSYPACT

Hello and welcome! Thanks for taking the time to check out my bio and consider starting therapy. I work with individuals, couples, and families to find practical, emotional, and behavioral approaches when people feel stuck and are looking for ways to move forward. Many clients who land with me have been looking for a more active style of therapy after finding that they feel stagnant, are losing momentum, or are unsure of what steps to take next.

Therapy can be a hard process because we’re often seeking support during the toughest moments of pain, hopelessness, and isolation. But I believe that the darkness can lead us to beauty, healing, community, and inspiration. My main framework as a clinician is that I’m a facilitator helping people get where they need to go. I think the best mechanisms to do this are by helping people find empowerment through skills development, inspiration in their values and meaning-making, community through empathy and understanding, and strategic and tactical approaches through clarity of ideas. Stylistically, I’m conversational and interactive, and I feel that therapy is more effective when it’s collaborative, creative, and energized.

Throughout my career, I’ve had my hands in various areas of research, including addiction programs, community networks, medical clinics, schools, and hospital systems. I often find that ideas developed in other fields have crossover value into psychology because ultimately, this field is about supporting people’s three-dimensional selves. One of my central tenets is that I’m here to support the health of a whole person, including integration of their value system, meaning-making, relationships, personality, physical health, and community. I hold myself to the same standard as a way to always be improving as a clinician.

On the professional and technical side, I specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly third-wave CBT, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). These approaches retain CBT’s practicality while more fully integrating a person’s values, personality, experiences, and beliefs. Positive reinforcement is one of behaviorism’s strongest offerings regarding sustainable behavioral change. The more we focus on building a fuller life rather than solely trying to achieve outcomes, the more we create change with adaptability and longevity.

I’ve worked with many different issues and clinical populations over the years, including severe and chronic mental health conditions; anger, anxiety, depression, and grief; substance and behavioral addictions; relationship challenges; diversity, justice, culture, and identity; self-care and habit building; life transitions; career development; trauma; health and end-of-life issues; navigation of complex systems; parenting and family dynamics; and broader community mental health advocacy.

Please reach out if you’re curious. I’m always happy to chat.