Nadeen Elkhatib

Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, EMDR

In-Person & Virtual Sessions
Therapy for Children 5+, Teens, Men (18-25) and Women

A smiling woman wearing a leopard print headscarf, black long-sleeve top, and a gold necklace, sitting on a black chair with a bookshelf and a houseplant in the background.

My approach to therapy is warm, laid-back, and collaborative. I want you to feel like you're sitting with someone who genuinely cares and meets you where you are, without judgment or pressure. I focus on creating a safe and comfortable space where you can open up, explore your thoughts and emotions, and move at your own pace. My goal is to support clients with a wide range of mental health concerns and promote overall well-being through culturally-responsive care, with a warm, empathetic, detail-oriented, and solution-focused approach.

I work with clients of all ages - often those who have experienced trauma or domestic violence, or who are experiencing anxiety and depression. I offer culturally sensitive care for underserved or minority communities, as well. We can also explore EMDR for processing past trauma, and incorporate play therapy for kids. I love being that supportive person who helps clients feel heard, validated, and capable of expressing what they’re going through. A big part of why I’m drawn to this work is personal—I know how much it would have meant to have someone to talk to and guide me through things in my life as well.

As a therapist, my goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where clients can build confidence, understand their emotions, and feel less alone in what they’re experiencing.

Find Me on Psychology Today

  • Folks that have experienced trauma or domestic violence and those struggling with mood disorders. I have a passion for offering culturally sensitive care for underserved or minority communities, and enjoy working with children and teens, as well.

  • My approach is collaborative, flexible, laid-back and client-centered, I meet each client where they are, while gently helping them explore emotions, develop insight, and build coping skills at their own pace. I want clients to feel comfortable expressing themselves in whatever way feels natural whether that’s through talking, play, or creative activities. I like to start by building a strong rapport and creating a safe space where clients feel heard and understood. With children and adolescents, I often incorporate things like art, play, or activities such as creating a family tree to gain a better understanding of their background and relationships.

  • Funny, honest and loyal.

  • You don’t have to go through things alone. Therapy is a safe space where we can work through things together at your own pace.

  • What really lights me up in a therapy session is seeing moments of connection and growth, especially when a client begins to feel understood, safe, and empowered to express themselves.

    I love working with children and teens because of their honesty, creativity, and resilience. Being able to incorporate play, art, and conversation to help them make sense of their emotions and experiences feels incredibly meaningful to me.

Areas of Focus

Top Specialties:

  • Children & Teens

  • Culturally Sensitive Therapy 

  • Domestic Violence

  • Trauma & PTSD

Areas of Expertise:

  • ADHD

  • Anxiety

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Codependency

  • Depression

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Family Conflict

  • First Generation Issues

  • Life Transitions

  • Mood Disorders

  • Muslim Mental Health

  • Parenting

  • Play Therapy

  • Self Esteem

  • Stress

  • Women's Issues

Works With
Therapy for Children 5+,
Teens, Women, Men 18-25

Schedule
Monday (Late Morning-Evening)
Tuesday (Morning-Early Afternoon)
Wednesday (Late Morning-Evening)
Thursday (Late Morning-Evening)

In Network With
BCBS PPO
Aetna PPO
Anthem Blue Cross PPO
Cigna/Evernorth PPO

Education
Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Governors State University, 2024

Personal Interests
I enjoy trying new coffee places with friends, traveling, and cooking (not saying I’m the best, but I like to try new things!)

Therapy with Nadeen

I see therapy as a partnership; we work together to make sense of what’s going on and find tools or perspectives that actually fit your life. I try to keep things real, human, and connected, because I believe real healing happens when someone finally feels seen and understood.

I use an integrative approach, which means I don’t believe therapy should be one-size-fits-all. I tailor each session to what the client is going through and what feels most helpful for them.

Some of the approaches I use most often are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which focuses on building coping skills and emotional regulation. I also use a client-centered approach, which means I prioritize creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel understood and empowered to explore at their own pace.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that can help manage mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and emotional concerns, such as coping with grief or stress.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy, specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. DBT is especially effective for people who have difficulty managing and regulating their emotions.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment that is designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.

  • Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) addresses the mental health needs of people suffering from the destructive effects of early trauma.

  • Play therapy allows children to use play to express their feelings, process experiences, and develop coping skills. Since play is the primary way children communicate, this therapy uses toys and other materials as a tool to help them resolve problems, build self-esteem, and manage emotions like anxiety, anger, or stress. 

Schedule a Session or Consult

Interested in working together? Fill out the form, call (630) 940-6828 or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We also offer a 15-minute free phone consultation.

Insurance or Self Pay

Learn more about using your insurance. If we are an out-of-network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135 for a 50-53 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help.

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