Work With Samreen Ahmed, LSW
Online Therapist in Chicago & across Illinois for Anxiety, Trauma & Life Transitions
Hi, I’m Samreen (she/her)
I’m a licensed social worker (LSW) in Illinois, offering virtual therapy in Chicago and across Illinois.
Many of the people who reach out to me have been carrying a lot quietly.
They’ve learned to stay strong, keep things moving, and hold their pain inside, even when the weight of past experiences or major life changes makes it hard to breathe.
Maybe you’re…
Feeling constantly on edge, like you're waiting for the "other shoe to drop."
Noticing that stress isn't just in your head; it’s a knot in your chest or tension in your shoulders.
Navigating a transition (marriage, career, or grief) that has stirred up more than you expected.
Holding cultural or family expectations that feel like they’re at odds with your own well-being.
Therapy with me is a warm, grounded space where you don’t have to carry it all alone anymore. Nothing you bring is “too much.”
Meet Samreen
I may be a great fit for you if…
You’re a first-generation adult or part of a BIPOC community balancing family loyalty and cultural expectations with your own needs.
You’re healing from trauma or past experiences that still feel "loud" in your body (tension, fatigue, or hyper-vigilance).
As an Indian Muslim woman, I provide therapy that understands the intersection of culture, faith, and identity without you having to "translate" your life.
You're navigating the "messy middle": You’re facing a big change—a new career, identity shift, or loss—and feel lost in the transition.
You want a therapist who is trauma-informed and body-focused, not clinical or rigid.
Many of the women I work with come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and the pressure to hold everything together. We may also explore how past trauma continues to shape how you show up in relationships.
You don’t need to be in crisis or reach your breaking point to begin. We can start exactly where you are.
What therapy with me feels like
Clients often describe our sessions as a space where they can finally exhale; it’s a thoughtful, relational conversation designed to help you find safety in your own skin.
Move at Your Pace: You don’t need a script. We start exactly where you are today.
Somatic & Nervous System Focus: We don't just "talk about" problems; we look at how stress shows up physically so you can find genuine calm.
No Cultural Translation Needed: Your full identity is honored here. Whether we are discussing family dynamics, faith, or intergenerational stress, you are seen as a whole person, not a diagnosis.
Over time, therapy can help you:
Feel calmer and more "at home" in your own body.
Process past trauma at a pace that feels safe, not overwhelming.
Navigate life’s "messy" middle parts with more clarity and self-trust.
How I Support You: Finding Peace in the "In-Between"
We focus on the connection between your mind, your body, and your culture. Here is how I help my clients move toward a sense of groundedness:
You’re Carrying Stress in Your Body: We’ll use somatic tools to calm your nervous system, helping you release the physical tension and "hum" of anxiety you’ve lived with for years.
You’re Navigating Heavy Family Roles: We’ll work on finding a balance between honoring your family and protecting your own mental health, setting boundaries that feel respectful yet firm.
You’re Tired of "Translating" Your Identity: In this space, your cultural and religious background is a source of strength, not something you have to justify or explain.
You’re Facing a Major Life Transition: Whether it’s a new career, a relationship shift, or an identity change, we’ll build the steadiness you need to navigate the "messy middle."
You’re Healing from Past Wounds: We gently process past trauma at a pace that respects your boundaries, ensuring you feel supported and heard every step of the way.
My Approach
I believe your responses make sense given what you’ve lived through.
My work is trauma-informed and body-focused. Rather than just pushing you to “think differently,” we focus on building genuine safety in your nervous system.
Whether we are discussing family dynamics, cultural expectations, or faith, this is a space where you are seen as a whole person—not a diagnosis.
Supporting BIPOC and First-Generation Women
As a woman with a South Asian and Muslim background, I understand how cultural expectations and "saving face" can shape emotional well-being.
Many of my clients carry the pressure to never burden others or to put family needs first.
I’m here to remind you: Needing support isn't a sign of weakness—it's an act of courage. You deserve care that respects your story and honors your full self.
Education, Training & Licensure
Education
Master of Social Work (MSW) — University of Chicago
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology — DePaul University
Clinical Training
School social work intern in a Chicago inner-city school community, supporting students and families navigating behavioral and emotional challenges
Trauma therapist intern at University of Chicago Medicine, providing support to clients experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, and suicidal ideation
Chaplain intern at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and families navigating serious illness and loss
Clinical Experience
Experience working with diverse communities and populations across the South and West sides of Chicago
Advanced training supporting clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life transitions
Skilled in trauma-informed counseling, culturally affirming therapy, and strengths-based therapeutic approaches
Licensure
Samreen Ahmed, LSW is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Illinois.
She provides therapy under the clinical guidance of Dr. Aretha Steele, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and founder of Mindful Healing Counseling, in accordance with Illinois professional guidelines.
Samreen provides online therapy to clients across Chicago and throughout Illinois, supporting individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, and major life transitions.
Common Questions
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That’s my job to help with. We’ll take it one step at a time. Showing up is the only "work" you need to do at first.
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Yes. I accept BCBS PPO, Blue Choice PPO, and Aetna. Our team can help verify your benefits and guide you through the process so there are no surprises.
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Yes. For trauma and anxiety work, many clients actually find it more effective. Being in your own comfortable environment makes it easier for your nervous system to relax and open up.
A little about me
I’m a licensed social worker at Mindful Healing Counseling. Beyond the therapy room, I’m a wife, sister, and daughter. I’m also a proud pet parent to a Siberian kitten and a German Shepherd (who sometimes make guest appearances!).
I love traveling, video games, and finding joy in gentle movement. I try my best to practice what I teach: that small, intentional moments of rest are where healing actually begins
Providing Virtual Therapy Across Illinois
While I work with clients virtually across all of Illinois, I am deeply rooted in the local communities I serve. I provide culturally-attuned therapy for young adults and adults in:
The Southwest Suburbs: Bridgeview, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, and Orland Park.
The North Side & Suburbs: Skokie, Lincolnwood, and the West Rogers Park/Devon Ave area.
The Western Suburbs: Lombard and Villa Park.
Whether you are near the Mosque Foundation or the MCC in Morton Grove, I understand the local landscape of our community and offer a space where your faith and culture are the foundation of our work, not something you have to explain.
Ready to get started?
If you’re looking for a trauma-informed, culturally responsive therapist in Illinois, I’d be honored to support you.
Reaching this page already means you’re listening to yourself—and that matters.