At a glance
Best fit for: Trauma and PTSD, chronic illness and caregiver support, persistent depression, grief, people dealing with relational challenges; teens and adults.
Approaches: ACT, CBT, DBT.
Who Am I?
Hello! I’m Anita Murad (she/her/hers), and I’m a cisgender Pakistani-American woman. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I work with teens and adults seeking support with or wanting to process any challenging part of their life. My hope is to create a non-judgmental space where you can share your experiences, stressors, and feelings.
I specialize in working with:
- People trying therapy for the first time
- Those dealing with persistent depression who haven’t found relief
- People with chronic illnesses or adjusting to new life circumstances or medical equipment
- Caregivers of family members and loved ones with medical or mental health diagnoses
- People carrying general life stress who need support getting through day to day
- First responders, healthcare workers, and anyone experiencing compassion fatigue or vicarious trauma
- People moving through grief and loss
- Teens exploring their identities, building emotional regulation, and navigating stress
How I help
I want our relationship to be genuine, honest, and open. I’d like to learn about the experiences that made you who you are, and build a plan together to help you live a meaningful, fulfilling life. My approaches include talking it out and noticing patterns, solution-focused therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CBT, DBT, and working through books and workbooks together. I often support people through grief and loss and the stress of chronic illness.
What a session with me is like
Bring your true and authentic self, whatever that looks like. Sessions are personalized to what you need, which might mean fidgets, drawing or writing things down, learning skills from workbooks, or being completely spontaneous. My hope is that we build a relationship where I can hold you accountable and challenge you in ways that feel comfortable. And don’t be surprised if I’m working on finishing three drinks during our session (coffee, water, and Diet Coke, obviously), wearing three layers with an extra sweater nearby just in case.
What I believe
Small changes can make a huge impact. The only way out is through. Mental health IS health. We can do hard things. And everyone can benefit from therapy.
A little more about me
When I’m not at work, I’m probably obsessing over my animals, volunteering for one of many animal rescues, or thrifting. I love a good Netflix binge on the couch, a concert, an adventure with my pups, and a meal with friends or family.
A few common questions
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, I see clients virtually across Illinois, and in person at our Edison Park office.
What do you help with most?
Chronic illness and medical adjustment, caregiver support, grief, persistent depression, compassion fatigue for first responders and healthcare workers, and teen support.
What insurance do you take?
BCBS PPO, BCBS Northshore, Cigna, Aetna, and Optum.
- AetnaBCBS HMO NorthshoreBCBS PPOCignaOptum/United
