Meet Saima
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a passion for providing compassionate, client-centered care. I began my career in mental healthcare in 2021 after earning my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University. My journey began in private practice, where I continue to work, and I have since developed a deep commitment to supporting individuals through a wide range of mental health challenges. I chose this field because of the diverse opportunities it offers. With a psychology background, I’m not limited to one career path, which allows me to serve others in a variety of impactful ways. My strengths align well with the skillset required in mental health work, and my personal values of compassion, acceptance, and a commitment to change serve as the foundation of my therapeutic approach. I am particularly passionate about trauma-informed care and integrate EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into my work. My therapeutic approach is deeply client-centered, with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity and building rapport with each individual. Mindfulness and guided meditation are also key components of my practice, and I have seen great success in helping clients develop these skills for emotional regulation and healing. I work with clients facing a variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, PTSD, stress management, life transitions, body image issues, grief/loss, and multicultural issues. I am trained in EMDR and utilize this powerful modality to help individuals process trauma and foster lasting healing. Beyond my work with clients, I have a strong passion for teaching and have taught clinical psychology and research methods at the university level. I look forward to returning to teaching in the future as part of my career progression. Outside of therapy, I dedicate a significant portion of my time to my non-profit work with Project Taqwa, a Muslim mental health advocacy organization. Through Project Taqwa, I help organize workshops to raise awareness about mental health and co-authored a sexual violence prevention manual aimed at increasing accessibility to mental health resources in the community.