Yara Shadid, LSW, IL | Psychotherapist

About Yara Shadid

Focus areas

Anxiety

Intergenerational Trauma

Somatic Therapy

BIPOC Mental Health Issues

Panic Attack

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Bereavement / Grief Counseling

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Clientele seen

Young adults (18-24)

Individuals

Families

Adults (25-64)

Couples

Seniors (65+)

Groups

Treatment approaches

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Culturally Sensitive

Attachment-based

Dialectical (DBT)

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Emotionally Focused

Identity

Gender

Female

Ethnicity

Middle Eastern

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know Yara Shadid

Yara is a first-generation, QTBIPOC-identifying Palestinian with over fifteen years of pre-licensed experience in Chicago as an educator and case manager. Her background has deepened her insight into how intersecting identities and structural barriers impact mental health, often disconnecting individuals from their authentic selves and the relationships they seek.

What should a new client know about working with you?

Clients can expect a collaborative, compassionate environment rooted in curiosity, healing, and mutual respect. Yara approaches therapy through a trauma-informed, anti-Zionist lens, with a focus on how systems of power shape both personal and collective narratives. She works to understand each client within the context of their inner psyche and the external systems they navigate, focusing on deepening self-awareness, processing difficult experiences, and fostering adaptive coping strategies. Her therapeutic practice integrates Psychodynamic Therapy, CBT, DBT, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and intersectional-feminist, decolonized approaches. Yara is dedicated to creating a safe, affirming space for clients of diverse racial, ethnic, sexual, cultural, and gender identities. She specializes in working with individuals from marginalized backgrounds—particularly young adults and adults navigating career transitions, family and cultural expectations, identity exploration, and relationships. Her work is attuned to the needs of SWANA communities, first- and second-generation immigrants, Black and Indigenous peoples, religious minorities, people-pleasers, and individuals practicing nontraditional relationship structures, with a focus on addressing trauma responses, grief, power dynamics, and relational patterns.

What is your typical process for working with clients?

Beyond her professional practice, Yara is committed to imagining a more inclusive world built with marginalized communities in mind. Her personal interests include political reading, somatic learning, connecting with land and nature and she welcomes clients to ask about her puppy, her love of birdwatching, and her growing passion for plant identification.

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In-network insurances

Aetna

BlueCross BlueShield

UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare Oxford

100+ more in-network plans

Out-of-pocket fees and assistance

Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork
Charges post-reimbursement amount: This provider will only charge you for the amount you pay after you get reimbursed from your insurance plan, so you don’t need to pay the session fee upfront

Popular visit reasons

Agoraphobia

New Patient Visit

Nightmares

Pain Management Consultation

Psychosexual Evaluation

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit

Sleep Problems

Agoraphobia

New Patient Visit

Nightmares

Pain Management Consultation

Education and background

Practice names

Olive Branch Wellness

Education and training

Jane Addams College of Social Work, Master's in Social Work

NPI number

1164237160

Patient reviews

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Frequently asked questions

How soon can I make an appointment with Yara Shadid?

Generally, Yara Shadid has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Yara Shadid's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

Is Yara Shadid accepting new patients?

Yara Shadid generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Yara Shadid's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

Does Yara Shadid accept my insurance?

Choose your insurance plan to verify if Yara Shadid is in-network.

Can I make an appointment with Yara Shadid online?

Yes, you can make an appointment online with Yara Shadid using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

What practice does Yara Shadid work with?

Yara Shadid works with Olive Branch Wellness.

What are common reasons for patients to see Yara Shadid?

Yara Shadid frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Yara Shadid on their profile.