Licensed Professional Counselor
Sara Raja
MA, LPC, NCC
Therapy for ages 12+
Therapy in English, Urdu or Punjabi
I have a deep desire to connect with my clients and walk alongside them through life’s ups and downs. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. Whether you come to therapy with a clear goal or simply a sense of pain you can’t yet name, I’ll work with you to find a path toward healing and growth.
I use an integrative approach, drawing from strengths-based, person-centered, and cognitive behavioral therapies, while tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs and goals. Together, we’ll build on your strengths, develop coping skills, and create meaningful change that supports the life you want. I welcome diversity in all its forms and have experience working with people from many different backgrounds, cultures, and life stages. As a woman of color, I am especially passionate about supporting minorities and creating a safe, judgment-free space where clients can be their most authentic selves.
I hold a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. I also offer therapy in Urdu and Punjabi, providing culturally responsive care for clients who feel most comfortable in those languages.
A little about me:
Outside of therapy, I love spending quality time with family and friends, exploring new cafes and restaurants, experimenting with recipes in the kitchen, or curling up with a good book.
Education:
Bachelor’s, Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
Master’s Degree, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Northwestern University, 2021
What are your top specialties?
I am especially passionate about working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, relational trauma, and relationship challenges, including boundary-setting and communication difficulties. I enjoy supporting clients as they learn to better understand themselves, build confidence, and develop healthier ways of relating to others.
What would you say to someone considering therapy with you?
It’s completely okay to feel unsure. Choosing a therapist can feel like a big decision, and many people feel pressure to find the “perfect” fit right away. My encouragement is simply to reach out and schedule a consultation, give yourself the space to see how it feels, and notice whether the connection feels right for you.
My priority in this work is genuinely to help people. That includes being honest about fit. If we discover together that I’m not the right therapist for what you’re looking for, I’m always willing to help guide you toward someone who may be a better match. Therapy doesn’t have to start with certainty, it just starts with a conversation.
What insurance do you accept?
BCBS PPO, Aetna, Anthem, and Cigna/Evernorth.
What does a typical session with you look like?
A typical session with me is very collaborative and tailored to the client. Sometimes people come in feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or without a clear starting point, so we begin by exploring their experiences and concerns together, taking things step by step and week by week. Other people come in with clear goals and a strong sense of what they want to work on, in which case we can move more directly and intentionally toward those goals. Sessions are guided by the client’s needs, pace, and readiness, with space to reflect, build insight, and apply practical tools. Clients can expect a supportive, flexible environment where their voice matters and where therapy adapts to them rather than the other way around.
What lights me up most in a therapy session is when we reach a real sense of flow, when a client begins to recognize their own growth and can clearly see that change is happening. I feel especially energized when clients notice that they are responding differently, meeting goals they once thought felt out of reach, or making intentional shifts outside of session. Those moments of insight, ownership, and self-trust, when a client realizes they are capable and actively shaping their life, are deeply meaningful.
Who is your ideal client?
I particularly enjoy working with adolescents, young adults, and adults. While I am open to working with a wide range of clients, I find that these stages of life often involve identity development, relationship shifts, and emotional transitions that can benefit greatly from therapeutic support.
As a Muslim American woman, I also feel deeply motivated to serve clients who are seeking culturally responsive and faith-sensitive care. I understand how cultural values, family dynamics, and identity can shape emotional experiences, and I aim to offer therapy that feels safe, respectful, and attuned to those contexts. While I welcome all clients, I am especially passionate about supporting individuals from similar backgrounds who may be looking for a therapist who understands these nuances without needing them to be explained.
How do clients describe you?
Relatable, collaborative, and safe.
Sara’a Approach
I use an integrative, client-centered approach that pulls from several evidence-based therapies. Much of my work is informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and solution-focused strategies.
In plain language, this means I help you better understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact, especially when anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, or relational wounds are involved. We look at unhelpful thinking patterns and emotional habits, not to judge or “fix” you, but to create more flexibility and choice in how you respond.
I also use solution-focused approaches when it feels appropriate. This means we spend time identifying what’s already working, what small changes feel doable, and what you want life to look like moving forward. The pace and direction of therapy are always shaped by the client’s readiness. Some people want to explore deeply, while others want practical steps and relief first, and we adjust accordingly.
Mindfulness is woven into sessions in a realistic, accessible way, helping you slow down, become more aware of your internal experience, and feel more grounded in the present moment.
Overall, my approach is collaborative, flexible, and tailored to the individual. Rather than following a rigid formula, therapy is shaped around your goals, values, and capacity, with the aim of creating meaningful and sustainable change.
Click here for more detailed information on therapeutic modalities.
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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.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps you move beyond negative thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way by accepting that your thoughts and emotions are an appropriate response to certain situations and committing to making changes in your life that match your values.
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an evidence-based program designed to reduce stress & enhance wellbeing through mindfulness practices, like meditation, body scans & mindful movement. to encourage present-moment awareness & acceptance.
Top Specialties:
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Areas of Expertise:
Asperger's Syndrome
Autism
Children & Teens
Codependency
Coping Skills
Emotional Disturbance
Family Conflict
Identify Issues
LGBTQ+
Life Stress & Transitions
Men's Issues
Mood Disorders
Multiculturally Sensitive Therapy
Parenting
Peer Relationships
Personality Disorders
Racial Identity
Relationship Issues
School Issues
Self Esteem
Self-Harming
Spirituality
Stress
Suicidal Ideation
Women's Issues
Interested in working together? Fill out the form below, call (630) 940-6828 or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We also offer a 15-minute free phone consultation.
Questions about insurance?
Give us a call or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We can often work with insurance companies if we are out-of-network. If we are an out-of-network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135.00 for a 53 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help! We work with families to come up with a number that works for you.