Mehak Hafeez, LCPC, Clinical Supervisor, EMDR-trained

Pronouns - she/her

Mehak is currently accepting new clients!

Current Group Offering - Solidarity During Suffering: Coping With Historical Trauma and Social Injustice

Approach to Therapy:

From an evolutionary perspective, I believe that life is an expedition filled with hurdles - some serve as adventures while others are lessons in survival. I have both personal and professional experience in the complexities of holding dual cultural identities. As a proud woman of color and Muslim in a western culture, I have first-hand witnessed and experienced the impact of adversities as a first generation immigrant.

Humans are complex species. We often strive to adjust and assimilate to the ever changing dynamics of this world. With these adaptions come a change in our sense of self. Adjusting to a changing world includes muddling through multi-layers of uncertainties that often look like anxieties, fear of rejection, confusion and loss of motivation.

As a clinician who has been impacted by and survived intergenerational traumas, I believe we are complex and ever growing beings. I deeply value exploring our roots and beliefs as they often paint our world with colors - some colors are beautiful and vibrant, while others no longer serve us. With this, we may need guidance in clarifying our color new schemes.

I believe that healing is a lifelong process which requires resiliency, willingness, and courage. These qualities are often learned through the lived experiences of losses, changes, adjustments, and traumas. In my practice of psychotherapy, I define healing as a process that embodies both mind and bodywork. For example, if you are experiencing anxiety around giving a presentation in school, I would recommend you to listen to your thoughts, what they are saying and so on. Furthermore, I would then explore where you feel tension in your body. Finally, what can we do about those thoughts and bodily symptoms to ease our worries.

Clinical Interests:

My passion lies in working with diverse individuals experiencing issues around dual-identity, cultural stressors, complex traumas, inter-generational traumas, BIPOC discrimination, domestic violence, female role within a system, and social injustice. I have also guided clients in exploring, identifying and addressing systematic issues that impact their overall wellbeing.

I treat individuals, couples, and families - including adolescents and young adults. I enjoy working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, cultural issues, family of origin conflict, dual-identities, and self-esteem stemming from societal pressures. In family counseling, I work towards strengthening communication, trust, and interpersonal relationships.

When clients leave my office, my goal is for them to feel hope. When we have hope, we develop resiliency to move forward in life. I believe this is possible in honor (not in spite) of our traumas and journeys.

Education and Training:

I hold a master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. I’m trained in treating comorbid disorders, intergenerational traumas, substance abuse, and family systems, as well as working with survivors of domestic violence through addressing the multi-dimensional impact on psychosocial functioning. I enjoy working with the perinatal population and have been trained by Postpartum Support International. Additionally, I am EMDR-trained and enjoy using it to treat trauma and distressing life events. I am a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), which involves utilizing a strength-based approach to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their goals.

My theoretical framework is integrative which includes but is not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT).

3 Things I love:

Chicken Biryani, Traveling, and Painting

Mehak can be reached at mehak@amandaatkinschicago.com.