Meet Kahina
My name is Kahina Ray and I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and journalist/writer. My education started at Eastern Illinois University where I completed my Bachelor's degree in psychology, and went on to complete my Master's degree in counseling from Lincoln University of PA in Philadelphia. I have been working in the mental health field since 2018 and have been practicing as a therapist since 2019. I've worked in multiple levels of care in community mental health, recovery, and outpatient centers. I have provided individual, couples, family, and group therapy as well as facilitated workshops. I have created events tailored towards improving dating and relationships, own a digital magazine dedicated towards improving relationships in Chicago, and have spoken on podcasts focused on mental health and relationship dynamics. I value relational health and thoroughly enjoy seeing people in healthy and loving relationships, which is why I chose to enter the mental health field. I wholeheartedly believe that the key to sustaining optimal mental health is creating and maintaining healthy relationships; we grow through connecting with others! I operate from an integrative therapeutic approach, using primarily relational cultural, client centered, and cognitive behavioral therapies. My therapeutic perspective is rooted in the idea that we all can navigate life as our ideal selves, we just need to feel seen and heard. Most people are in need of guidance, motivation, validation, and community that loves and supports them. I specialize in working with adults, relationship dynamics including divorce/separation, cyclical toxic romantic relationships, and couples therapy; this also includes low self-esteem/self-worth, low sense of self, and identity issues. I also treat depression, domestic violence/intimate partner violence, childhood trauma, abuse, social anxiety, grief, and adjustment disorders.