glad you're hereHealing begins when you finally feel understood.
I became a therapist because I know what it feels like to sit across from someone who doesn’t really see you. For many years growing up, life felt unpredictable and emotionally overwhelming, and I didn’t have the language to explain why. I learned early how to stay calm on the outside while chaos lived underneath — a pattern many of my clients recognize in themselves.
Those experiences shaped how I show up today: grounded, attuned, and deeply committed to creating a space where people feel safe, heard, and genuinely cared for. I don’t ask clients to push through or “be strong.” I help them soften, settle, and reconnect with themselves in ways that feel doable and compassionate.
With over 25 years of experience as a trauma-informed therapist, I’ve seen how healing unfolds when people are met with steady presence and real human connection. My hope is that, from the moment you meet me, you feel a sense of relief — like you don’t have to keep carrying everything alone.
Shaun Saville, LCSW
My Approach to Therapy
My work is grounded in the belief that your symptoms make sense — not because something is “wrong” with you, but because your body and mind learned how to protect you.
I approach therapy with a blend of:
Trauma-informed attunement — honoring your pace, your boundaries, and what feels safe.
Nervous system awareness — helping you understand how your body holds stress, and how to gently shift out of survival mode.
Evidence-based trauma modalities — like EMDR and ART, which help the brain process and integrate what once felt overwhelming.
Relational presence — calm, steady, and collaborative. No rushing, no pressure, no need to retell painful details unless it feels right for you.
I believe healing isn’t about digging endlessly into the past. It’s about building enough safety in the present to allow your system to release what it’s been holding for too long.
Clinical Specialties
I specialize in working with adults who are navigating:
Trauma (including complex trauma)
Grief and loss
Anxiety and chronic worry
Depression
Emotional overwhelm
Nervous system dysregulation
After-effects of dysfunctional or chaotic family environments
High-functioning individuals who carry everything on the inside
I also offer EMDR and ART intensives for clients seeking deeper, focused healing outside the weekly therapy model.
For clinicians, I provide EMDR consultation for case conceptualization, stuck points, and strengthening confidence with the model.
Education, Licensure and Special Training
Education
Master’s in Social Work — University of Illinois Chicago (Jane Addams College of Social Work)
Master’s in Special Education — Quincy University
Licensure
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Illinois: Lic # 149007053
Training/Certifications
Certified EMDR Therapist
Accelerated Resolution Therapist (ART)
EMDR Consultant in Training