Therapists in Chicago, IL

All of us are striving to be true to ourselves and our loved ones around us. Feeling authentic and true to who we are can assist us in living life the way we would like to. Sometimes, our mood-related difficulties and our life experiences can get in the way our authenticity. You could be experiencing mood-related difficulties as a reaction to grief, trauma, depression, substance use, chronic illnesses, identity issues, cross-cultural issues, and relational difficulties, which I specialize in working with.

As a Pakistani-American Muslim woman, I recognize that there is a significant need for counseling services within diverse communities. I'm especially passionate about working with individuals as they navigate major life transitions, such as going college, entering workforce, moving, marriage, parenthood, and so on. I also enjoy working with clients who experience grief and loss. I've worked with clients from various backgrounds and clinical presentations, focusing on addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, family issues, stressors, identity, etc.

I work with individuals who are experiencing challenges associated with anxiety, depression, relational issues, stressful jobs, trauma, grief, and complex life transitions. My subspecialty is in working with BIPOC and first and second generation individuals looking to explore the intersection of their identities. My holistic approach aims to improve your well-being through “whole person” care, focusing on the mind and body to help you get unstuck when navigating the challenges in your life. I offer warm, culturally aware, and genuine connection as you work to free yourself of burdens that are bogging you down.

We're a trauma-informed, culturally-sensitive mental health counseling group for multicultural, Asian, BIPOC, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities. We're passionate about working with individuals, couples and families from different cultural backgrounds, exploring how complex identities and unique personal experiences have shaped us into who we are. We specialize in healing from anxiety, complex trauma, relationship issues, perinatal issues, ADHD, adoption, OCD, stress, cultural identity, cultural/intergenerational conflicts, family conflicts, grief, and other issues.

The willingness to examine oneself—with honesty, curiosity, wonder, but also ambivalence and doubt—might be one of the bravest achievements of any human life. Acknowledging and respecting that courage in clients is my first sacred duty as a therapist. From there, we talk. We explore the unconscious dynamics of your life. We work together on getting un-stuck, grasping the multiple ways we can live with others on this beautiful yet fragile world, and building something new for yourself and for future generations.

My experience has allowed me to work with people from all over the world with both chronic and minor mental health concerns. As a clinician I have worked with people who have depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, (PTSD)trauma and a history of family violence. My approach is primarily cognitive behavioral with a significant emphasis on the person's present. Those who would benefit are people who are looking at moving forward with their life with more deliberation and direction. Moving away from seeing themselves as the result of their circumstances but as the master of their being.

As far as most people know you have your "life together." But deep down you feel stuck in a routine that feels overwhelming. You want to take the next step in your career or perhaps you want to ask an acquaintance out on a date but the fear of change, failure and self-doubt are holding you back. You have brilliant ideas that you want to share with others but you hesitate to act or speak because you are tormented by thoughts of "I'm not good enough." When you reach out to your friends, your colleagues, or your partner you feel unheard or misunderstood.

I believe that we all have an innate wisdom and capacity to know the solutions to our problems but we may not be aware of our potential. My goal is to empower you to build upon your inner resources and that's how I chose the name of my practice; Self Empowerment Center. I seek to understand your personal, cultural and spiritual beliefs. Through this holistic approach, I tailor treatments based upon your unique needs. Therapy process is like an organized sport which has players and a coach. Players make the moves, working hard (you) and the coach (me) is guiding and directing.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Chicago, IL. As a clinician, my work centers around compassion and respect for the individual; my overarching goal in therapy is to develop a collaborative relationship that allows me to work with you on identifying your needs and goals. I have a particular expertise in women's health, trauma and navigating through South Asian Culture/Muslim identity. It takes courage to begin therapy, and I am here to help you navigate through this journey.

Trust is how I define myself! Building a strong therapeutic alliance through trust and confidence is quintessential to positive change in life! When life gets tough through *Difficulties in relationships, *Sadness or depression, *Feelings of anxiety or panic, *Difficulties controlling your anger, *Struggling with parenting issues, *Acculturation/Ethnic minority struggles, *Grief over the loss of a loved one, *Dealing with substance abuse in yourself or someone you care about... One should consider beginning treatment with a professional trained with brief, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach towards changes in core beliefs and restructuring the thought processes towards a better outlook.....and that's me!

I work with a diverse group of clients. From my couples facing communication, connection and lack of intimacy, to my individuals having symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma and self-esteem issues, I have worked with all. Moreover, I am open to working with clients from marginalized communities, being a BIPOC therapist, I work with a lot of empathy.

In early life, before we are even consciously aware of it, we begin to utilize the coping skills and self-talk language that the adults around us used. Later in life, we may realize that these coping skills and styles of self-talk are ineffective for us. I hope to help you reconstruct your internal dialogue to be healthier and more adaptive to your life circumstances. I hope to use our conversations as a means to help you reconnect with the authentic you. Therapy, to me, is about understanding the connection between one’s mind, body, and spirit. Once we learn that relationship, we can be our most present and confident selves.

Do you feel stuck and want to get “unstuck?” in your life? Mental health can influence all areas of your life, and it is invaluable to explore how mental health can drive the way you see and experience it. Therapy can help you navigate your emotional challenges and gain clarity on what factors make you thrive, and which ones limit you. You can learn to identify the patterns that make you stuck and how to change the script.

I strive to provide excellent care catered toward an individual's specific needs by leading with a compassionate, flexible, and goal-oriented approach. I have received specialized clinical training in the areas of: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT), relational approaches, and trauma-informed frameworks. Through my work at Northwestern's Family Institute, Eating Recovery Center, and multiple private practice settings, my consistent aim has been to advocate for the well-being of my clients.

I specialize in working with clients on concerns related to anxiety, depression, perfectionism, personal identity, and more. Whether it relates to gender and sexual identity, empowerment and safety, physical and emotional boundaries, or the many deeply personal life choices we face regularly, I rely on building a strong collaborative alliance with my clients at whichever pace feels most comfortable for them. I welcome questions of any kind, so feel free to reach out to me via email. I also recognize finding the right therapist can be difficult, so I also offer complimentary 15-minute consultations.

Nothing human can be alien to me -Terence. Within the bounds of a safe relationship, I hope you can let the ugly, shameful and irrational parts of you breathe. Together, we can encounter them with compassion, as this is often where the work lies. I endeavor to create a warm holding environment for you as we explore issues more deeply and understand their origins through psychoanalytic, relational and existential perspectives. I share my conceptualizations with clients and provide psychoeducation to increase insight into our unconscious experiences, while honoring individual uniqueness, cultural nuances, and other complexities.

I am a compassionate trauma-informed therapist that primarily works with individuals struggling with trauma/PTSD, ADHD, neurodivergent issues, relationship issues, chronic pain, physical disability, partner violence, substance abuse, anxiety, stress, depression, cultural identity, cultural/intergenerational conflicts, family conflicts, and other issues. As a daughter of South Asian immigrants, I have always been interested in working with traditionally overlooked communities. I have worked with individuals with dual diagnosis, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and LGBTQIA individuals.

Navigating relationships can feel tricky and confusing. Do you find yourself giving to others and not getting the same in return? Maybe you feel like there is no room for your voice, your opinions, or to ask for your needs to be met by others. You might even have a sense that some of the relationships you are in are unhealthy. You have tried to find balance and fairness, but have felt unsuccessful. I get it! Who you are matters. What you want matters. Whether we are working on work, partner, familial relationships, or the relationship you have with yourself,

Do you need an affordable psychological evaluation for your immigration case? We understand these services can be expensive and that is why we offer affordable fees. We specialize in conducting Immigration Evaluations for Hardship Waiver, VAWA, U Visa, T Visa, Cancellation, and N-648 cases. Our evaluations are completed in a timely fashion by a bilingual (Chinese)Licensed Therapist. We also work with clients who speak other languages, including Spanish, Russian, French, Arabic, Cambodian, Urdu, Telugu, Gujarati, Vietnamese, Kirundi, and Farsi through professional interpreters.