About Zaraar Zahid
Focus areas
Anxiety
LGBTQ+ Counseling
Relationship Struggles
BIPOC Mental Health Issues
Life Transition
Stress
Childhood Trauma
Relational Therapy
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Couples
Adults (25-64)
Individuals
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors
Attachment-based
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Dialectical (DBT)
Identity
Gender
MaleSexuality
GayEthnicity
Asian
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Zaraar Zahid
I’m a Psychotherapist (LCPC) and founder of Third Culture Counseling. I work with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, identity and adulthood, neurodivergence and executive functioning challenges, relationship and attachment concerns, and major life transitions. I also have a particular interest in working with LGBTQIA+ clients and people exploring how culture, family, religion, and identity have shaped who they are.
A lot of my clients come to therapy feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply wanting to understand themselves better. You may be overthinking everything, struggling with relationships, carrying experiences from your past into the present, navigating ADHD or neurodivergence, or trying to figure out who you are outside of other people's expectations.
My approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and LGBTQIA+ affirming. I integrate CBT, ACT, DBT-informed skills, interpersonal, psychodynamic, and attachment-based approaches based on what actually fits you rather than forcing everyone into the same kind of therapy.
I earned my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University and my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boston University. Ultimately, I want therapy to help you understand yourself more deeply, recognize the patterns keeping you stuck, and create meaningful change in your life and relationships.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Therapy with me is conversational, collaborative, and direct. You won’t find me sitting silently or taking a back seat. I’m an active therapist—I’ll ask questions, share observations, help you connect dots, offer different perspectives, and gently challenge you when I think it could help.
At the same time, I don’t believe you need to perform in therapy or show up with a perfectly organized list of things to discuss. Some sessions may be deep and emotional; others might involve humor, frustration, reflection, or simply trying to make sense of a messy week. All of that belongs in therapy.
I’m especially interested in understanding the why behind what you’re experiencing. We may look at how your past relationships, attachment experiences, family dynamics, culture, religion, identity, or other experiences have influenced the way you think, relate to others, and move through the world today.
I also know that finding a therapist you genuinely click with makes a difference. My goal is for therapy to feel comfortable enough that you can be yourself while still being meaningful and productive. I welcome feedback about what is and isn’t working; we’re doing this together!
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Our first few sessions are about getting to know you as a whole person—not just a list of symptoms. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what has been feeling difficult, aspects of your intersectional identity, relevant experiences from your past and present, your relationships and support systems, and what you would ultimately like to be different.
You also don’t need to know exactly what your “therapy goals” are on day one. If all you know is that something feels off, overwhelming, or stuck, we can start there and figure out the rest together.
From there, sessions are individualized to you. Sometimes we’ll focus on what happened that week; other times we’ll slow down and explore a recurring pattern, relationship dynamic, past experience, or belief that keeps showing up. When helpful, I’ll also introduce practical strategies for things like anxiety, emotional regulation, communication, boundaries, or executive functioning.
As we work together, we’ll connect what’s happening in your life now with the larger patterns underneath it. We’ll regularly check in on what is helping, what has changed, and where we still want to go.
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
Don’t see your insurance?
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $195 for 60 minutes
Ongoing session: $175 for 60 minutes
- Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay
- 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
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Northwestern University, Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
NPI number
1265295877
How soon can I make an appointment with Zaraar Zahid?
Generally, Zaraar Zahid has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Zaraar Zahid's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Zaraar Zahid accepting new patients?
Zaraar Zahid generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Zaraar Zahid's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Zaraar Zahid accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Zaraar Zahid is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Zaraar Zahid online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Zaraar Zahid using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Zaraar Zahid work with?
Zaraar Zahid works with Third Culture Counseling.
What are common reasons for patients to see Zaraar Zahid?
Zaraar Zahid frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Zaraar Zahid on their profile.
What languages does Zaraar Zahid speak?
Zaraar Zahid speaks English.