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Azita Afshar

Psychologist, PsyD
IllinoisFlorida
Anxiety-Depression-Trauma (including C-PTSD/enduring or attachment trauma)-Self-Hatred/Excessive Shame and Guilt-Body image-Relationship Difficulties (with self and others).-

Many health insurance plans reimburse 50-80% of session fees with out-of-network therapists. Learn if your plan qualifies.

AboutSpecialtiesLocationsInsurance & FeesTestimonials

Professional statement

Dr. Afshar is a certified trauma-informed therapist and has been in private practice for 15-years (and over 20-years in clinical practice). She has mostly worked with individuals aged, 20-65, with struggles pertaining to: a complex trauma or abuse history; extreme interpersonal/relational distress (sometimes referred to as attachment trauma;) co-dependent dynamics (typically presenting as preoccupation with managing the needs/feelings of others & avoidance of conflict and one's own emotions/needs;) lack of sense of purpose/value; difficulty knowing/understanding own emotions; self-neglect; difficulty with self-soothing/regulation of emotions; excessive self-doubt and self-hatred; extreme perfectionism; difficulty with setting and maintaining boundaries; difficulty with trusting own sense of things; extreme procrastination; excessive feelings of shame and guilt; fixation with a loss of control/excessive need for control; loss of interest in life; suicidality; fear of vulnerability, etc. These struggles often times appear as the labels of: Major Depression; Anxiety; Disordered Eating; Alcoholism; Bipolar Disorder; Borderline Personality, C-PTSD, ADHD...

Dr. Afshar has been trained in a variety of models including: psychodynamic, IFS, & cognitive behavioral techniques. Most recently, the bulk of her work is trauma-informed, relying heavily on attachment-based models of therapy, as well as sensorimotor, mindfulness, and neurologically informed interventions.

Dr. Afshar understands that here is a rhyme and reason to how we feel and react to the world, and none of it is about being "wrong," "damaged," or "not good enough" (words she often hears from individuals in her practice). Dr. Afshar would like to help you learn ways to soothe and heal any hurting parts, so that you may be able to to work and live with yourself and others in a more loving, fun, rewarding, and reciprocal fashion. She believes healing is possible for anyone who wants it to be possible and is ready and able to work at it.


Message to clients

Individuals in my practice often times tell me that they never thought they would ever get to the place that they arrive in therapy- skeptical that they could ever feel differently than they do when they first step into my office- and then fortified when it gradually happens, and they begin to connect to the wholeness within themselves.

The ability to heal is something that resides within us, not outside of us. Sometimes, we just need a reminder or a helping presence to guide/show us back to ourselves (something I call, inner-wisdom work).

Though I do not offer any "solutions," I can help you find a way back to your true self so that you may discover ways to feel more calm, understanding and trusting toward yourself. "Solutions" may then organically develop and afford you the ability to engage with yourself, relationships, and life in more rewarding and consistent ways. This includes an understanding that "triggers" and challenges will continue to present themselves; however, it is in discovering AND practicing ways to respond to these challenges that impacts how we experience or interact with life. Life, as we know it, is inherently traumatic and for those who also have a complex trauma history, it is doubly traumatic; however, healing is always available.

I am here to help you take the next step.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding the nature of therapy and/or how I may be of support to you.


Work and Education

Private Practice
Shared Vision Psychological Services, Adult Psychology Program Director
Shared Vision Psychological Services, Clinician
Bowling Green State University, Post-Doctoral Fellow and Instructor
Bowling Green State University Counseling Center, Internship

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, CCTP, 2023
Certified Telemental Health Provider (CTMH), CTMH, 2020
Illinois School of Professional Psychology, PsyD, 2007
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, BS, Psychology, 1999

Licensure

Florida: TPPY1906

Languages

English

Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Trauma (including C-PTSD/enduring or attachment trauma) - Coping and healing after life-threatening or extremely disturbing events, or having experienced on-going sexual, verbal, emotional, relational and/or physical abuse.

Self-Hatred/Excessive Shame and Guilt - Understanding and soothing feelings of self-hatred, low self-worth/self-esteem, excessive guilt and shame and increasing tolerance for mistakes, failure and rejection.

Body image - Development of skills for handling negative thoughts about physical appearance; building habits of more positive self-talk and self-perception.

Relationship Difficulties (with self and others). - Understanding and development of self-awareness, insight, communication, vulnerability and boundary setting skills; learning balance between self-care and caregiving.




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Locations & Hours

For residents of Florida, I am registered as an out-of-state provider with the Florida Department of Health to provide Telehealth Services for the State of Florida.


Insurance

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Choice
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois PPO

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions:$200 (55min)
  • Initial session:$275 (60min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Every other week
  • Every other month
  • Multiple times a week
  • As needed
Therapist's note

If you are paying out-of-pocket (not using an insurance plan,) then individual sessions can be customized to fit your needs (e.g., longer or shorter sessions, support or guidance with challenging tasks, etc). Please note that customized session rates may vary. Please contact Dr. Afshar for more information.


Client testimonials

"My call with Dr. Afshar was very nice and straightforward."
- Zencare client January 2021
"She was very insightful and under standing on my issue"
- Zencare client December 2021

Book a Free Initial Consultation

The practice will call you for a free 10min phone call to discuss your needs and ensure a match!

This provider has no upcoming call times available.