Therapist

Afsha Merchant

LCPC

Illinois · 7+ years of experience

Practical support for stress and relationships

Continue with Afsha

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Step 1

CBT and DBT informed
Multilingual therapist
Trauma aware approach

About Afsha

Afsha Merchant is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and the effects of trauma. She speaks English, Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu and brings seven years of clinical experience to her work. Her approach centers on honest conversation and practical steps, not judgment. Afsha focuses on problems like self-esteem, communication difficulties, social anxiety, and attachment concerns. She also addresses issues related to adoption and foster care, abandonment, caregiving stress, chronic illness or disability, body image, and relationship conflict. Sessions are shaped around each person’s daily life and goals. She uses a mix of therapies chosen to fit the situation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) builds emotional regulation and coping skills. Somatic therapy brings attention to body sensations when emotions are overwhelming. Afsha aims to be culturally aware and responsive, keeping a person’s background and values central to the work. She favors clear, collaborative planning so people leave with concrete tools they can use between sessions. Progress is measured in small, practical changes rather than abstract milestones. To begin, people follow the site’s Start Therapy process and schedule based on the therapist’s availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, and international clients are accepted.

Step 2

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Self esteem Depression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesGuilt and shameImmigration issuesIntellectual disability Isolation / lonelinessJealousyMoney and financial issuesMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobia Visually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodSolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

7+ years

Credentials

Illinois

Languages

English, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu

Step 3

How Afsha’s approaches fit into online therapy

Afsha works with several practical therapies that translate well to remote sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, using structured exercises and homework to build new habits. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills that can be taught and practiced in short, focused lessons. Somatic Therapy pays attention to body sensations tied to emotion, using gentle awareness and grounding practices to help people notice and respond to physical signals. Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Afsha collaborates with each person to match methods to their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they decide which techniques to try first and adjust as progress is made. If you are considering online work, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. They also let people use written exercises, screen sharing, or guided in-the-moment skill practice that support CBT, DBT, and somatic techniques. Discuss scheduling and format choices during the initial matching so sessions line up with your routine and goals.

Step 4

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Afsha commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem problems, plus related issues like attachment and adoption concerns.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is collaborative and practical, focusing on clear steps and skills people can use between sessions while listening for each person’s values and context.

What experience does she bring?

She has seven years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and relational concerns and aims to combine skill-building with attention to lived experience.

What are her credentials and location?

She holds an Illinois LCPC credential and practices from Illinois.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu.

Can international clients work with her?

International clients are accepted; confirm scheduling and any regional considerations when you sign up.

How does cost and payment work?

Sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; costs vary with location and therapist availability.

What steps are involved in getting started?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist’s availability.

Step 5

Your next step

If this is for you

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If you are helping someone

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