Abani Dhewajoo , LCSW

Abani Dhewajoo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois who brings thirteen years of experience as a professional social worker and six years specifically as a therapist. She supports people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, and challenges with self-esteem and confidence, and she has experience helping clients navigate major life changes and regain a sense of direction. Her practice also addresses issues related to adoption and foster care, communication problems, domestic violence, family difficulties, guilt and shame, impulsivity, life purpose, multicultural concerns, pregnancy and childbirth, self-love, and women's issues.

Her therapeutic style is warm and interactive, grounded in a strength-based perspective that emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She avoids stigmatizing labels and focuses on each person's existing resources and resilience. Her clinical work draws on cognitive-behavioral and dialectical-behavioral techniques alongside humanistic and psychodynamic ideas, and she shapes conversations and treatment plans to fit the unique needs of each individual. Abani views clients as the experts of their own stories and aims to empower them to build on their strengths. Taking the first step toward a more fulfilling life requires courage, and she offers steady support throughout that process.

Therapeutic Approaches and Remote Care

Abani integrates client-centered principles with evidence-based skills so therapy focuses on the person's experience and practical change. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration, helping people feel heard while exploring values, goals, and personal strengths; this approach supports those working through identity, self-esteem, and life transition concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to stress and anxiety and to develop targeted strategies for managing symptoms and improving daily functioning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially useful for anger, impulsivity, and intense emotional reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Abani works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with Abani is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexible access to care. These options make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, continue work during life transitions, and maintain continuity of support when in-person visits are difficult, while still working with a licensed professional.