Shani Ben-Dov

Shani Ben-Dov is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Connecticut who helps people feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or stuck. She supports those coping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship struggles, and compassion fatigue. Sessions are offered in English and Hebrew.

Shani describes a warm and collaborative approach. She is direct but curious, and focuses on practical skills people can use between sessions. Conversations aim to slow repeating patterns, name what’s underneath them, and try new responses that feel doable in daily life.

Her background includes crisis response, behavioral health, and work alongside first responders. That experience informs how she sees stress, burnout, and the emotional cost of caregiving. She also has clinical experience with substance use and co-occurring conditions.

Shani uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral ideas and Dialectical Behavior Therapy strategies, along with motivational interviewing and trauma-informed ways of working. She tailors interventions to each person’s needs rather than following a fixed script.

With three years of clinical experience, she aims to help people make small, sustainable changes. The process starts with understanding rather than judgment. You don’t need to have all the answers before beginning; noticing that something isn’t working can be the first step.

How evidence-based approaches work online

Shani draws from cognitive-behavioral ideas to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try alternative responses. This approach breaks problems into small, manageable steps and is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related patterns.

She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy strategies to build emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. Those skills can be useful when feelings escalate or relationships feel strained. Motivational interviewing is another tool she uses to help people find motivation and make changes that matter to them.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, rhythms, and comfort level. That may mean trying different strategies and adjusting as needed so the work feels realistic and relevant.

The original biography does not specify which online session formats are offered. Please confirm the current session options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example shorter check-ins can be scheduled during a work break, phone sessions can use less bandwidth, and remote meetings remove commute time. Licensed professionals can tailor pacing and homework to how people live day to day, aiming to make skills usable between sessions.