About Maryam Shafiq
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Adults (25-64)
Teenagers (13-17)
Individuals
Young adults (18-24)
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Dialectical (DBT)
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Maryam Shafiq
Finding a therapist who understands your world — not just your symptoms — can feel nearly impossible. For South Asian and Muslim communities, barriers run deep: cultural stigma, pressure to keep struggles within the family, and fear of being misunderstood. If that's kept you from therapy, Maryam gets it.
Maryam is a bilingual therapist offering sessions in English and Urdu, bringing genuine cultural fluency to her work with South Asian and Muslim clients — so you don't have to explain context before getting to the real work.
She provides individual therapy for children, teens, young adults, and adults at the Naperville and Lemont locations, treating anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, stress, addiction, self-worth struggles, and life transitions. She also has specific experience supporting women with self-esteem, body image, and pregnancy-related concerns.
Her work with children and teens is a particular strength — with over two years of experience, she uses art and play therapy to help younger clients process emotions and navigate transitions in ways that feel natural, not clinical.
Maryam holds an MSW with a healthcare specialization from Aurora University, drawing on CBT, DBT, ACT, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Art and Play Therapy — tailored to each client's needs.
Her approach is collaborative, culturally sensitive, and rooted in respect for each client's values. As she tells clients: "Even if you don't feel ready to grow or change, taking this step to come to therapy shows that you're more capable than you might think."
If you've been waiting for a therapist who understands where you come from — culturally, linguistically, personally — you don't have to wait any longer.
Outside the therapy room, Maryam enjoys hiking, beach days, traveling, and exploring clean eating and skincare. If she could try another career for a day, she'd be a pediatrician.
What should a new client know about working with you?
When you come to session with me, you don't have to spend time explaining your cultural context before we get to the real work — especially if you're from a South Asian or Muslim background. I offer sessions in both English and Urdu, and I bring genuine understanding of the family dynamics, community pressures, and cultural nuances that shape so much of what you're navigating.
My approach is collaborative and tailored to you — I draw from CBT, DBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing, but I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all formula. We'll figure out together what actually helps, whether that's talking through what's on your mind, working on practical coping tools, or something else entirely.
If you're bringing in a child or teen, expect a different kind of session — I often incorporate art and play therapy so younger clients can process big emotions and navigate things like new schools or shifting friendships in ways that feel natural rather than clinical.
I hold deep respect for your values and background, and I never want you to feel judged for where you're starting from. Even if you don't feel ready to grow or change yet, showing up here already shows you're more capable than you might think. My job is to walk alongside you — to guide, support, and help you see the strengths you already have.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I typically start with an initial session where we get to know each other — I'll ask about what's bringing you in, your history, and what you're hoping to get out of therapy. This gives me a fuller picture of you as a person, not just a list of symptoms, so we can build a plan that actually fits your life.
From there, sessions are talk-therapy based, but how we spend that time depends on what you need in the moment. Some weeks we might dig into a specific situation you're working through; other times we'll focus on building concrete skills — coping strategies, communication tools, or ways to manage anxiety or stress as it comes up day to day. I check in regularly on how things are going and adjust our approach as we learn what's working.
For children and teens, sessions often look a little different. I use art and play therapy alongside talk therapy, since younger clients tend to process emotions more naturally through creative expression than through direct conversation alone.
Throughout our work together, I keep things collaborative — you're never just receiving a treatment plan, you're helping shape it. And progress isn't always linear, so we'll revisit goals as they shift, making sure therapy stays responsive to where you actually are, not just where we started.
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Office locations
Maryam Shafiq, LSW, MSW also offers online video visits for patients
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Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Aurora University, Master's in Social Work
NPI number
1235845223
How soon can I make an appointment with Maryam Shafiq?
Generally, Maryam Shafiq has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Maryam Shafiq's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Maryam Shafiq accepting new patients?
Maryam Shafiq generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Maryam Shafiq's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Maryam Shafiq accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Maryam Shafiq is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Maryam Shafiq online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Maryam Shafiq using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Maryam Shafiq work with?
Maryam Shafiq works with Counseling Works.
Where is Maryam Shafiq's office located?
Maryam Shafiq has 3 office locations, including in Naperville and Lemont, view full addresses on Maryam Shafiq's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Maryam Shafiq?
Maryam Shafiq frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Maryam Shafiq on their profile.
What languages does Maryam Shafiq speak?
Maryam Shafiq speaks English.