Dr. Maha Zayed, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
About Me
I was raised in Oak Brook, IL. I went to undergraduate school at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN where I obtained my first experiences in the area of mental health. It was while working with middle school children from impoverished backgrounds that I realized my passion for psychology. I attended graduate school at Northern Illinois University where I received my Master of Arts Degree and Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology. While at Northern Illinois University, I spent time working with individuals of all ages with a broad range of mental health problems at various community agencies. Following graduate school, I trained at Dartmouth College and the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, both nationally recognized centers for trauma. I have experience treating trauma across all age groups. I recently moved from Lebanon, New Hampshire where I worked at the West Central Behavioral Health Counseling Center and at the White River Junction Veterans Administration. I was responsible for providing treatment to adolescents, children, and returning OEF/OIF and Vietnam veterans with a wide range of problems (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, depression, adjustment, behavioral problems and relationship and family issues).
Clinical Psychology
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of IL practicing full-time at LivingRite. I work with individuals, families, adolescents, and children experiencing difficulties in a broad range of areas (e.g.,anxiety disorders, mood disorders, domestic violence, behavior problems, anger management, chronic pain). I also enjoy working with couples and families from all backgrounds who are looking to improve their relationships with one another. I have been trained in various theoretical backgrounds including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy and Level 1 Gottman Couples Therapy. In my work with individuals, families and couples, I use interventions that I know have been supported by research to be effective, increasing my clients’ likelihood of having a successful outcome.
I believe that the therapeutic relationship is based on a relationship that emphasizes trust, teamwork, and compassion. I work hard to assist my clients in realizing their potential for positive change, and I help to empower my clients to meet their therapeutic goals. I am comfortable utilizing a variety of interventions to meet each of my client’s specific needs.
Areas of Specialty
I work with individuals, couples, and families across all ages on many different areas including relationship struggles, grief/loss, abuse, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and trauma. I have spent the last few years training and working at the National Center for PTSD and the White River Junction VA in the area of traumatic stress and believe treating individuals with a trauma history is a strength of mine. I have treated individuals who have experienced many different types of traumas (i.e., sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, combat, car accidents, natural disasters) and subsequently suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I use empirically supported interventions including Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy to treat adults suffering
from PTSD. In addition, I use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat children
who have experienced trauma. I also have training in Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy
for PTSD, a treatment that helps couples in conflict when one member has PTSD.
During this time, I have also received extensive training and work experience with other
Anxiety Disorders including Panic Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I use Exposure-Based Interventions to help
people overcome their fears and get back to their lives. These interventions have received
extensive support from research and have been found to be incredibly effective for a vast
majority of people. They are also relatively brief, requiring on average between 10 and 16
sessions.
Professional Affiliations
American Psychological Association (APA)
International Society for Traumatic Stress (ISTSS)