Domestic Abuse Therapists in Illinois

I would be honored to assist you in tuning into your body’s unique ability to heal from traumatic experiences. Perhaps you are realizing that you have been avoiding some much needed healing because of fear that it will be deeply painful. Luckily, that does not have to be the case. I firmly believe you can get through life with increased resiliency and confidence in your ability to not only survive, but ultimately thrive.

I work with people experiencing anxiety, depression and recent or historical traumas to develop skills to cope, integrate the traumas into thier lives and heal. Trauma shows up in our lives in many ways including reactions that are bigger than expected to small situations, fear and avoidance, overeating/emotional eating, substance abuse, trouble with relationships, feelings of emptiness, helplessness and hopelessness.

Guided by a strengths-based and client-centered philosophy, I believe in the inherent capacity of every individual to navigate their life journey with resilience and empowerment. My therapeutic style is marked by its accepting, directive, and empowering nature. My passion lies in working with both couples and individuals, as I recognize that cultivating healthy relationships, in all aspects of life, is a cornerstone of personal well-being. As a South Asian therapist, I am also driven to normalize therapy within my community, advocating for the power of open communication and shared experiences.

I have experience working with all ages, families, and couples; and with those presenting with anxiety, depression, PTSD, CPTSD, developmental disorders, domestic abuse, addiction, and chronic mental illness, among others. I am grounded in psychodynamic therapy, with an emphasis on attachment based interventions and Family Systems. Furthermore, I integrate different therapies (when needed), taking into consideration the complexity of multicultural perspectives that shape our lives, to meet the unique needs of each individual. I conduct neuropsychological assessments, and am currently Adjunct Faculty at ISPP.

I began my career as a practicing attorney representing women in abusive relationships in order of protection and divorce proceedings. As a therapist, I use my legal and therapeutic background to provide individual counseling prior to, during, and after divorce. Divorce is a traumatic life event that can have a ripple effect on nearly every aspect of one's life. I offer clients both concrete help to better understand the legal system and what they can expect from the process, while also working to gain deeper insight into what happened in the relationship and starting to heal from the experience.

Experiencing relationship stress—whether in the form of codependency, gaslighting, intimate partner violence, or substance use/addiction—can significantly impact your everyday life. These situations often bring a multitude of emotions that we suppress to protect ourselves from discomfort. If this resonates with you, know that you are not alone. If you are uncertain about how to define your relationship but sense that something is not quite right, we can explore this together in a safe and supportive environment.

I understand and respect those that are dealing with pain or other difficulty in their lives and consider it an honor to be able to help navigate these thoughts and emotions. I feel that the best course of treatment is the one that you and I design together, which meets your specific needs. I have the skills and you provide the direction. I love seeing the growth that can occur when people are given the right tools and understand how to use them.

I believe there is hope for profound change through the creative collaboration of client and therapist. I strive to create a warm and inviting environment where clients are able to share their experiences, realize their strengths, and develop a plan for achieving their goals. I enjoy working with adults who are seeking to improve relationships or address personal struggles with depression, anxiety, anger, domestic violence or personality disorders. I also work with parents and blended families.

I am a dedicated therapist specializing in helping individuals overcome the challenges of domestic violence, anxiety, and stress. With a goal-oriented approach, I empower clients to build resilience, regain control, and create a fulfilling life. I provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, develop coping strategies, and work towards their personal goals. Utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques, I help clients to understand the impact of trauma, manage overwhelming emotions, and cultivate healthy relationships

Early Sept '24 - Openings 10:00-3:00 Tues,Wed,Thurs. As of Nov. 1st - Telehealth Only "Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen" - Brene Brown. You get 100% of my passion, expertise & commitment to use techniques tailored to your needs for change, growth, and healing. I would consider it a privilege to walk beside you, encourage progress toward your goals, and help you find joy and courage in transforming your life.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or burnout, you’re not alone. These struggles can affect every part of your life, making it hard to stay present and connected with others. You might feel slower, more tired, or irritable without realizing that these are signs of a deeper mood condition. I offer a safe space where you can explore these feelings and begin to understand what’s really going on. You only need to be curious about your emotions to start the journey—together, we’ll work on the rest.

I look forward to all clients who are committed to making positive changes in their lives. I have experienced both domestic violence and sexual assault. I have trained specifically for those populations or anyone with TRAUMA. I I have an extensive medical background, so clients that need help navigating or understanding their diagnosis/options, I can help. I recognize that there are significant wait times for a therapist which can be discouraging. I am currently open and scheduling both in office and telehealth appointments. I want to positively impact every client I have the opportunity to serve.

Anything can happen in life! Sometimes difficult things happen that are outside of our control. My focus is to help clients overcome life challenges by helping them identify their strengths and help them overcome stressful life events. I support clients by increasing their level of self-awareness as they identify their strengths and resources. I also support clients by helping them gain insight into self-defeating patterns and work toward making themselves feel confident, calm, and powerful. By providing a warm and safe environment, I help my clients move forward in life and have a more balanced, fulfilled life.

I feel that counseling is a path to wellness and positive change, in which the client is an active participant in the healing process. Counseling should not only address symptoms, but the whole person, mind, body and spirit.

Asking for help is hard and takes a lot of strength to do. Asking for help also shows just enough self worth to better one’s self. My clients primarily attend counseling to seek emotional support, guidance in their healing process, and regain their self worth and confidence. They also are working towards self empowerment and growth towards emotional stability. Clients also learn to change the negative beliefs and narratives created from past childhood or relationship abuse and trauma. I have also seen clients who find their faith as a foundation of their healing and I am trained in Immanuel Prayer by request.

My experience is with adults, teens, and kids in issues including domestic violence, anxiety, depression, childhood developmental trauma, grief, and relationship difficulties.

Dr. Naveeda Athar had been working as a counselor since 2004. She had intensive training in Domestic Violence, Substance abuse, adolescent counseling, Psychological Assessments, anger management, grief counseling and women's issues. Program for substance abuse is licensed by the state of Illinois Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Domestic Violence Perpetrator's program is also licensed by the Department of Human Services, Illinois. Dr. Athar can speak, read and write Urdu fluently and have treated many people from South Asian background due to her special skills. She is a Domestic Violence Advocate for the victims of violence.

I want to start by saying I’m proud of you. It takes a lot of bravery to seek help. It may not feel that way, and your brain may be saying “yeah, but.....”. However, you cannot have bravery without being afraid. I enjoy working with clients from ages 8 and up. I am affirming of LGBTQIA+ identities. I am experienced in working with: anxiety, depression, self-esteem, gender identity, grief, adjustment disorders, trauma, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, domestic abuse, and communication concerns. As a therapist, I can help you find routes to success, to growth, to healing. It’s okay to feel lost. You aren’t alone.

I am a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience working with adults, couples and families. I also offer litigation consultation and expert witness work for difficult divorces. I am proud to have one of the longest running Women's Groups in the Chicagoland area. I believe that developing rapport and trust is essential in therapy. To this end, I provide a safe and respectful environment so that clients can feel comfortable sharing their concerns, fears and hopes for their future. I will help you regain the courage to face your issues and provide the necessary therapeutic tools to make positive, lasting changes in your life.