Dr. Azita Afshar is a Clinical Psychologist in downtown Chicago who works with adults and couples across the lifespan. She is a trauma-informed therapist, which means she believes each experience in one’s life leaves an imprint on the mind and body, which can then impact one’s brain functioning, color one’s perception, and fuel and/or paralyze one’s reactions and relationships to the outside world.
She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, perinatal mental health, including postpartum depression, trauma, relationships, body image, and self-esteem/self-worth struggles. Dr. Afshar particularly enjoys working with individuals who have a history of childhood trauma, including abuse, neglect, or developmental challenges. She also has extensive experience working with women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Many of the people who come see her have a long history of interpersonal and emotional struggles. These individuals tend to benefit from longer-term therapy and report feeling a gradual sense of security and confidence over time.
Dr. Afshar utilizes a combination of different treatment models. In particular, she uses sensorimotor and neurologically informed interventions as well as Internal Family Systems parts work to help her patients understand and compassionately connect with both their physical and emotional experiences and then gradually learn how to effectively soothe and heal the hurting parts. This can then afford the individual the opportunity to work and live with themselves and others in a more loving, fun, rewarding, and reciprocal fashion. She has found that these neurologically and relationally informed mind-body therapies are especially helpful for clients with a history of trauma (including complex trauma), severe anxiety/hypervigilence, and major depression.
Dr. Afshar is passionate about effectively helping her patients in the healing process and works hard to keep abreast of new research and effective treatment modalities—though her best teachers have been her patients. She believes healing is possible for anyone willing to actively work toward it. She is here to gently support you on your journey. She looks forward to meeting you.
