LAILA ASHKAZARI, MS, LCPC

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Acculturation, Immigration & Refugees
• Addiction, Alcohol Use & Substance Use
• ADHD, Autism & Neurodivergence
• Anger Management
• Behavioral Issues & Teen Violence
• Death & Dying
• Domestic/Intimate Partner Abuse & Violence
• Family, Peer & Relationship Conflict
• Gender Exploration, Expression, & Identity Affirmation
• Grief & Loss
• Kink, Sex Positivity & Sex Work
• Mood Disorders (Bipolar, Depression, Major Depression)
• Multicultural Concerns, Racial Identity & Intersectionality
• Parenting
• Social & Restorative Justice
• Stress, Burnout, Coping & Self-Care
• Sexual Orientation Exploration, Expression & Affirmation
• Transgender & Transitioning
• Trauma & PTSD

CLIENTS I WORK WITH

• Families (Chosen, Family of Origin, Single Parents)
• Individuals (Adolescents, Adults, Seniors)
• Relationships (Couples, Open, Polyamorous/Polycule, Premarital, Separation/Divorce)

PHILOSOPHY

My approach to therapy is authentic, strength-based and multimodal. No two people are alike and no two people receive the same therapy. Your experience is tailored for what you need. We start where you are and work together to create attainable goals to get you to where you want to be. You will experience a combination of therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solutions-Focused, Trauma-Informed, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral (DBT), and EMDR, in order to expand your internal and external resources for healing, rest, and joy. I know that life can be difficult sometimes, and I am here to help you work through the challenges and patterns that keep you stuck.

THERAPY WITH ME

My first priority in starting with a client is ensuring that they feel safe and heard. You are an equal partner in the therapeutic process. I draw from a person-centered approach with my clients, so I make consistent efforts to meet each client “where they are.” Whether it is client-centered, or therapist led, each session will be unique to you. My role as your therapist to help you discover who you are and help you manage, understand, and overcome any issues you may be having so that you can live a more successful life, whatever that may be.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

License:

• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (License No. 180013916)

Degrees:

• PhD in Clinical Counseling: Teaching & Supervision (dissertation completion anticipated in 2025)
• MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Lipscomb University
• BA in Spanish, Loyola University Chicago

TYPES OF THERAPY

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Culturally Informed Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Group Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness Based Interventions, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered (Rogerian) Therapy, Play Therapy, Psychodynamic Talk Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Somatic Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Trauma Informed Therapy.