Specialty/Interest Areas:
- PTSD Treatment
- Depression Therapy
- Anxiety Therapy
- OCD
- Mood disorders
- Co occurring disorder
- Aggression and Impulse control
- Islamic based counseling
- Self esteem and self worth
- Generational trauma
- Attachment theory
- Childhood trauma
- Adults, young adults, and adolescence
- EMDR Therapy
Lilian is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has spent the last three years working in both residential and inpatient settings. She has experience with difficult populations including individuals suffering from severe and acute mental illnesses. Lilian has experience dealing with aggression, complex trauma, and providing therapy to patients who are dealing with systemic issues, racial injustice, and economic disparities. Lilian is a culturally aware clinician with a strong clinical skill set and primarily focuses on adults and adolescents.
Lilian has a bachelors in biology from University of Illinois at Chicago and a masters in counseling psychology from the Chicago school of Professional Psychology. She works through a trauma informed lens, and uses a cognitive behavioral approach with her clients. Lilian aims to help clients fully understand themselves and their thoughts, feelings and behaviors in order to fully and authentically be themselves, reclaim their narrative, and navigate their life in a healthy and adaptive way.
Outside the office Lilian enjoys working out, cooking, baking, reading and exploring new coffee shops.
There were not many therapists in this field that looked like me. My interest sparked when I realized the lack of mental health resources and support in the Muslim community. I want to be a part of breaking the stigma on mental health issues and illnesses that plague Muslim immigrants in the United States. As an immigrant, I knew first hand how it feels to struggle with acculturation, and the idea of a dual identity. I wanted to better understand and support those like myself, to fully understand and find meaning in this struggle. I knew in order to do this I had to work with people on a more personal, emotional and therapeutic level to break down barriers, and create a sense of belonging.
1. What attracted you to being a psychotherapist?
I meet my clients where they are, the beauty of therapy is that I provide an open, honest, judgment free zone. I take the time and effort to build trust and rapport with my clients. It is key to helping them accomplish their goals. Growing, learning, and understanding where my clients are at this stage, how they got there and where they want to go. I am constantly growing, and doing the internal work so that I can fully meet my clients needs. I work with my clients to set goals, and help them find the strength and confidence to accomplish what they strive for in life. I am always open to shifting my approach depending on the clients needs at the time.
2. How would you describe your approach with your clients?
Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways. - Sigmund Freud
“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” - John Green
“You spend most of your life in your head, make it a nice place to be” - Anonymous
3. What's your favorite quote about mental health?
How incredibly complex humans are. Each client is unique and it is never a one size fits all approach. I find it fascinating and beautiful how clients can have similar issues but can all present differently. I am always honored that a client has chosen me to come into their personal realm. It fuels me and allows me to cater to many different needs and fully grasp the concept of individuality.
4. What has surprised you the most about being a psychotherapist?
