Noopur Shah (HE/him)

Therapist + Group Facilitator + supervisor

Trauma and racism impacts every decision we make, subconsciously and consciously. Oftentimes, we think we’re alone in these interpersonal and systemic burdens, which is why I approach therapy through a relational-cultural lens, bringing forth the vast experience that each person holds. As a queer person of color and child of immigrants, I am deeply interested in assimilation/deassimilation, cultural upbringing + dissonance and intersectional identities. 

I earned my bachelor’s degree at the Illinois Institute of Technology and completed my Masters degree in Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. During graduate school, I had the great opportunity to intern at a not for profit in the south suburbs. During my time at Bremen Youth Services, I created and led an LGBTQ+ support group for high school students, led a social skills group for adolescents with learning disabilities, and ran prevention programs in the nearby schools. Additionally, I worked with youth and their families to ensure a healthy therapeutic process and safety for the clients. 

I’m passionate about creating a space where we can hold your pain together, while still working toward building a sturdy relationship with yourself, the people in your life and this complicated world.

Questions? nshah@forrealtherapy.com + check out my Instagram

Interview with Noopur Shah

What inspired you to become a therapist?

I grew up as the "advice giver" to my family members, friends and loved ones; I always wanted to make people feel better through healing and joy. As a first generation South Asian child of immigrants, there was a cultural expectation of prioritizing others’ needs before my own. This pattern led me to seek therapy for myself because I felt the impact of neglecting my own needs, wants and desires. 

After being in a psychiatric facility due to a suicide attempt at 15, I found a therapist who affirmed my experiences and met me where I was emotionally. Rather than trying to project her expectations onto me, like many other adults in my life had previously done, I was given permission to create my own identity. 

Through this process, I gradually stopped viewing “advice giving” as a task, and instead began understanding it as an integral part of how I show care. This turning point allowed me to become the therapist that would’ve affirmed 15 year old me and other queer Indian kids who felt helpless and misunderstood.

What does it mean to explore gender identity with you?

Exploring gender identity with me means delving into and acknowledging the parts of oneself that may have been overlooked, marginalized, or undeveloped. Because gender binaries permeate many aspects of our lives, I work to collaborate with my clients to challenge societal binaries and expectations. I foster an environment where individuals can explore their relationship with gender and acceptance of their bodies. I often ponder the questions: "What am I truly trying to convey? What are you genuinely perceiving?"By approaching gender exploration in this way, I seek to shed light on the core emotions and sensations involved, not just our comparisons or judgment. This attitude is foundational, especially when working with young people. In particular, I view gender exploration as a personal journey that enables them to construct their own self-concepts and gradually assert their autonomy.

What is the hardest truth you've had to accept?

Confronting the fact that judging myself limits my ability to be present in life has been a challenging truth. It's easy to fall into the trap of imagining a scoreboard that keeps track of all the "wrong" or "bad" things we do. However, it's important to recognize that judgment is just one, often shallow, method of cultivating awareness. When I make a conscious effort to anchor myself in a deeper connection with my body, environment, and relationships, I begin to realize that things are not simply categorized as good or bad. Instead, it becomes about identifying what nourishes and enriches my unique life.

How do you incorporate your own identity into your work?

I want to respond by saying “I do this by simply existing”, but I recognize that we don’t live in a society where “existing” translates into “being seen.” I find myself incorporating my identities by keeping them at the forefront; I do not hide who I am, I speak about my identities with emphasis because they inform my work as a therapist. I am proud of who I am and I want to model that for others who haven’t quite reached a level of self-love, understanding and acceptance. 

How do I know if therapy is “working”?

My first response to this is: what do you want to “work”? Ideally, I believe progress begins when your relationship with yourself, your body and mind becomes a priority. 

What is your universal piece of advice?

You do not need to prove to others that you deserve to be loved and cared for.