Shama Joshi, LCSW, M.Ed. is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience in education, mental health, and therapeutic services. She proudly serves families through Pioneer Therapy, where she brings a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to support children, adolescents, and families navigating developmental, behavioral, and emotional challenges.
Shama holds dual Master’s degrees—one in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, with a clinical concentration in Children and Families, and another in School Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Her educational background also includes a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and multiple endorsements including Director of Special Education, ESL, and Learning Behavioral Specialist I.
At Pioneer Therapy, Shama specializes in:
Pediatric mental health
School-based social work and advocacy
Behavioral intervention
Trauma and crisis support
Family systems counseling
IEP consultation and support
Her career spans leadership and clinical roles in both school districts and private practice settings. As an Assistant Principal of Student Services and Specialized Student Services Administrator, Shama has supervised multi-disciplinary teams and implemented systems-level interventions across general and special education populations. Her private practice experience includes individual, family, and couples therapy with training in CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based interventions.
Fluent in Gujarati, with working knowledge of Hindi and Spanish, Shama serves diverse communities throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. She is also certified in CPI, CPR/AED, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Domestic Violence Advocacy.
Shama is passionate about creating inclusive, collaborative, and empowering therapeutic spaces. Her work is guided by empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep commitment to equity in mental health and education.
Languages: English, Gujarati, conversational Hindi and Spanish
Certifications: LCSW, Domestic Violence, CBT/DBT, Youth Mental Health First Aid
Professional Affiliations: NASW, SSWAA, Illinois Association of School Social Workers
Service Areas: Chicago, IL and surrounding suburbs