Afsha Merchant offers support for people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, and low self-esteem.
01About Afsha
Afsha Merchant offers support for people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, and low self-esteem. She creates a calm, nonjudgmental space so people can say what feels hard and work toward clearer next steps. Sessions are conversational and practical, focused on what a person needs right now.
She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Somatic Therapy, the Gottman Method, and solution-focused ideas to guide sessions.
Background and approach
That can mean learning skills to manage intense feelings, trying new ways to talk with a partner, or practicing short experiments between sessions. Work is collaborative - goals are set together and adjusted as progress is made. Afsha brings seven years of clinical experience and attention to cultural context.
She pays attention to how background, identity, and relationships shape what someone brings to therapy. This includes attention to issues like adoption and foster care, attachment concerns, blended family dynamics, and caregiving stress. She also helps people with areas such as body image, chronic pain or illness, communication problems, codependency, control issues, and recovery from domestic violence or family-of-origin wounds.
Afsha uses clear language to explain options and offers practical tools that can be put into daily life. Afsha holds an IL LCPC credential. Sessions are offered in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu.
People who live outside the U.S. may be able to work with her too; confirm options when you start the process.
02Credentials
- LCPC (Illinois)
- License 180.018689 · expires March 2027
- NPI
- 1558936153 · national provider identifier
Both are public records. A state board register will confirm a license and its standing, and the national registry will confirm an NPI. This directory copies what the counselor lists and checks neither.
03Focus areas and approaches
Everything Afsha lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Fertility issues
- Guilt and shame
- Immigration issues
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Money and financial issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Visually impaired
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Methods Afsha names
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Gottman Method
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
These are the methods Afsha names on their own professional profile. Naming an approach is not evidence of training or certification in it, and this directory checks no training records. Ask directly if it matters to you.
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04Online support
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
CBT focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and gives concrete skills to test unhelpful thinking. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. DBT teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to help manage intense feelings and improve relationships. The Gottman Method centers on communication patterns in relationships and offers structured exercises to reduce conflict and build connection.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Afsha will talk with each person about their goals, past experiences, and day-to-day needs to decide which methods to emphasize. That decision is collaborative and can shift as progress is made.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are available. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into busy schedules, take shorter check-ins during a lunch break, or avoid travel time. Online work can also make it simpler to practice skills between meetings and to bring real-life examples into conversation. Ask about language options and logistical details when you start the matching process so sessions match your routines and preferences.
05Questions people ask
What concerns does Afsha commonly address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem difficulties. Additional focus areas include attachment issues, adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, and body image.
How would you describe her approach in sessions?
Her style is collaborative and practical, combining skill teaching with reflective work. Sessions focus on goals the client sets and on small, doable steps between meetings.
What experience does she bring to therapy?
She has seven years of clinical experience working with a wide range of concerns and life situations. Her work includes attention to cultural context and identity as part of treatment planning.
What credentials and location are listed for Afsha?
She holds an IL LCPC credential and practices from Illinois. Please refer to the profile for state credential wording and professional details.
Which languages are supported during sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are accepted; confirm any licensing or logistical details during intake to make sure cross-border work is possible.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time, and pricing details are provided before scheduling.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on the therapist's availability. The matching step helps pair needs and preferences before you set a first appointment.
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