In-Person in Chicago, IL 60608
Online in Illinois
What an honor it is to be a supportive companion on your path to deeper wellness! I see therapy as a process wherein people can grow a more honest connection with themselves, learn and practice hope-generating perspectives and skills into their day to day and stretch their imaginations for how to lovingly create a future that feels liberating, life-affirming, and meaningful.
My goal is to offer a space that feels collaborative, creative and deeply human- a space where your story is met with curiosity, compassion and trust. My work is guided by Humanistic and Relational Cultural approaches, shining light on and engaging the unique wisdom you already come with and paying close attention to the cultural, racial and systemic forces that shape all our lived experiences. Our sessions might integrate story sharing, trauma processing, skill building, mindfulness and somatic practices, and expressive arts, depending on what feels most supportive to you week to week. I hope that clients experience therapy as venues for personal transformation that offer relief, clarity, levity and empowerment.
Alongside my clinical practice, I teach at several Chicago-area universities and have spent over a decade developing healing-centered programs for migrant youth and women of color in community-based settings. These experiences continue to inform my deep respect for various cultural and ancestral modalities of healing, as well as an appreciation for the many ways people continue to dream new lives into reality!
If you’re seeking a therapist who approaches this process with humility, warmth, humor and a sincere commitment in your growth, I would be eager to connect with you!
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Middle Eastern, Muslim, Women clients.
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Psychosocial Therapy Looks at how social and environmental factors affect psychological health. It emphasizes relationships, community, and resilience.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
Education & Credentials
Jaylan Abd Elrahman PhD
- Female
- License # 071.010278
- Licensed in Illinois
- Practicing Since 2020
Education: Dr. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University, an Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology (Child Advocacy Concentration) from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, and a B.A. in Psychology from Wellesley College.
Finances
Insurance
- Accepts Insurance
- Aetna, BCBS
Jaylan Abd Elrahman Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Chicago, IL 60608
- Available Online for residents of Illinois
- Online Therapy Details: Teletherapy