what companies in chicago area provide private or small group
counselling services for young adults with shyness and assertiveness
problems ? i would prefer to avoid self-help/read-a-book type of
outfits and would welcome suggestions for reputable organizations that
can work with young men/women increase self-esteem for job success and
inter-personal influence.

http://www.dalecarnegie.com/M4/M4S0.htm
Try this link for Dale Carnegie. It helped me. Contact them and tell
them your situation to see if it is for you or not.

This book is POWERFUL! Not a "quick-fix" that won't last, but a new
way to approach living your life that starts on you examing yourself
and setting out to change from the inside out. You can get it locally
from a library, a bookseller, or from Amazon.com for $14.00.

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen R. Covey
presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for
solving personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights
and pointed anecdotes, Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living
with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity -- principles
that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power
to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.

Give it a read and see if you don't agree. This book changes lives!

7 habits is indeed highly effective if you put it into action and not
just read it but for your group an even better option.  More readable,
more appropriate may be '7 habits of highly effective teenagers' by
Sean Covey - the son.  Worth a look anyway