I'm licensed as a clinical social worker and certified as a psychologically sensitive, trauma-informed yoga teacher through Chicago Room to Breathe. I also am certified in Somatic Attachment Therapy, which is an experiential approach to healing our relationships with ourselves, others, and our community and larger world. I specialize in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and complex trauma recovery. I'm an attuned therapist with the intention of meeting clients where they are. With 13 years of social work experience working with people of all ages, I love building relationships with clients, and working alongside them to explore their inner world and help them incorporate new strategies to live a more fulfilling life. I use a trauma-informed approach, which means I aim to create a therapeutic relationship grounded in safety, sovereignty. My intention is to support you as you explore, acknowledge, and express your thoughts and feelings when you're ready to do so. I aim to provide culturally responsive care, recognizing that race, ethnicity, and religion, as well as physical challenges, all play a unique, powerful impact on the human experience. Working in social services for several years, I also recognize the systemic trauma and oppression that many marginalized groups experience, and I practice clinically from this perspective. My priority is offering clients a supportive, empathetic environment in order to facilitate growth and insight. I recognize that it takes courage to reach out for support, and I feel deeply honored by the opportunity to work with others in becoming their most authentic, whole selves. I value offering accessible mental health services. If you're interested in a complimentary phone consultation prior to scheduling an intake, please contact Semah at SemahLCSW@gmail.com to schedule.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
We will work together to visualize how you want to feel and be in the world. From there, I will work with you on incorporating tools for regulating your nervous system, defusing from any unhelpful thought patterns, and exploring your past and its impact on you presently. Additionally, there are opportunities in and out of session to bring your implicit, subconscious beliefs to your conscious awareness (a process that can lead to profound, fulfilling, and long-lasting change). From wherever you are on your journey, I strive to support you as you slowly make changes to live a more fulfilling life grounded in your truth and values. I make a commitment to provide you with guided exploration, a listening ear, education and resources that align with your unique needs.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Relational, Coherence, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Somatic, Mindfulness, and Integrative.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As my foundation is in social work, I believe our relationships with ourselves, our friends/family, and community all influence our state of being and we can take at look at these different areas to see where changes can be made. From there, we can live a meaningful life guided by personal values while handling the pain that goes along with being human in our world. I specialize in anxiety and stress, depression, ADHD, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem and confidence, self-image, and dissociation.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Issues, Life Transitions, Self Development, ADHD, Women's issues