- CBT
- DBT skills
- Somatic work
About Afsha
Afsha Merchant is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with seven years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. Afsha speaks English, Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu and accepts international clients.
She helps people who are coping with abandonment, attachment issues, adoption and foster-care questions, and family of origin problems. She also supports those dealing with body image, chronic illness or pain, caregiver stress, codependency, and communication or control issues. Her practice addresses the practical problems people carry into relationships and daily life.
Afsha uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and the Gottman Method. In sessions she works collaboratively to identify what feels most pressing, and then applies methods that aim to change patterns of thinking, feeling, or interaction. She draws on somatic work when emotions are stored in the body and on skills-based DBT when regulation is needed.
Her style is direct and practical. She will help you notice unhelpful thoughts, test new behaviors, and practice communication skills. Conversations include small experiments and focused skills practice rather than long lectures.
Afsha also brings cultural awareness into sessions, paying attention to how background, values, and identity shape feelings of guilt, shame, or self-doubt. To begin, clients use the site tools to complete a short questionnaire and schedule an initial session.
Online approaches and how they translate to sessions
Afsha commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy into online work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new ways of thinking and behaving; it often helps with anxiety, depression, and repetitive self-blame. DBT emphasizes practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication, which can be useful for relationship conflict and intense emotions.She also draws on somatic therapy to help people notice how stress and shame show up in the body. Somatic techniques invite attention to bodily sensations and small grounding actions to reduce overwhelm. Choosing an approach is a collaborative process - Afsha will discuss options, try different methods, and adjust based on your goals and what feels most effective.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into work or family schedules, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and make it simpler to involve skills practice between meetings. Afsha uses the initial matching questionnaire and scheduling tools on the site to set up the first appointment and to discuss which approaches and practical arrangements will work best.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, self-esteem concerns, and depression. Additional areas include attachment, abandonment, body image, and caregiver stress.
How would she approach feelings of shame or guilt?
She uses approaches like CBT and somatic therapy to look at thoughts and bodily responses that keep shame or guilt active. The work focuses on noticing patterns and trying small changes to those patterns.
What is her clinical background?
She holds an Illinois LCPC and has seven years of experience working with adults on mood, anxiety, and relationship concerns.
Where is she based and licensed?
She is licensed as an LCPC in Illinois and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu.
Can I work with her from outside the United States?
She accepts international clients; confirm eligibility and scheduling details when you book.
How are sessions arranged and what formats are offered?
Session formats are not specified here; please confirm current session options before booking through the site matching tools.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.