Dr. Nazeer Zerka II , LCSW

Dr. Nazeer Zerka II brings a blend of professional training and lived experience to his work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He holds the LCSW credential - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and identifies as a doctor, combining formal education with years of hands-on practice to support clients across a range of concerns.

Raised in Flint and Saginaw, Michigan, he emphasizes life experience and empathy as central tools in his work, alongside clinical training. He is a neurodivergent clinician and one of the few men of color in his field, perspectives he draws on when working with clients who value cultural understanding, representation, or neurodivergent-informed care.

Dr. Zerka specializes in areas including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, ADHD, addictions, LGBT concerns, relationships, family issues, grief, intimacy-related problems, eating and sleeping difficulties, anger, career challenges, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes. He also focuses on related areas such as attachment issues, codependency, dissociation, domestic violence, and substance use concerns. His practice emphasizes practical skills for interpersonal functioning, workplace performance, and daily life management, especially for neurodivergent clients and student-athletes.

He frames therapy as a collaborative process that can include support, solution-focused work, encouragement, and challenge as needed. Outside clinical work, he cohosts a podcast with over forty thousand followers, and enjoys pickup basketball, weightlifting, yoga, reading, and streaming comedies. He describes therapy as a passion and aims to help clients move toward greater self-understanding and improved functioning.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Nazeer Zerka II

Dr. Zerka uses client-centered therapy to prioritize each person's goals and values, creating a supportive space where the therapist follows the client's lead to build insight and strengthen self-directed change. He also employs cognitive behavioral therapy - CBT - which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD-related challenges, and stress. Additionally, dialectical behavior therapy - DBT - is part of his approach when clients need skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, often helpful for intense mood swings, relationship struggles, and impulse-related concerns.

Finding the right method is part of the work together. Dr. Zerka approaches treatment collaboratively, helping clients experiment with approaches, refine techniques, and choose strategies that fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences. This tailoring ensures therapy aligns with each client's life and values.

Online sessions offer flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing therapy to fit into busy schedules and varied lifestyles. Licensed professionals can deliver many evidence-informed practices effectively over these formats, and the range of options helps clients maintain continuity of care whether they prefer real-time conversation or messaging between sessions.