Nazeer Zerka, LCSW
Stress, Anxiety
Trauma and abuse
Self esteem
Depression
ADHD
Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging
About me
I am a mental health therapist involved in individual, group, and crisis management counseling.
My clinical orientation includes CBT, strengths-based, and solution-focused therapies while also understanding the systems leading clients to his office. My primary clinical interest area is working with individuals on the autism spectrum, in addition to working with people of color and student-athletes. I emphasize a strong bond and a safe place to talk with every client.
Before moving to Minnesota and now Lafayette, I was born and raised in Saginaw and Flint, Michigan. I have a bachelor's degree in exercise science and psychology from Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, MI) and a master's in social work from GVSU. Before working at Purdue University's counseling center, I spent the last five years working as a mental health therapist at St Mary's University of Minnesota. I focus on providing therapy and developing outreach to sports teams and students of color at the university, specializing in working with those on the autism spectrum.
I live in my new home city Lafayette IN with my family, and hopefully soon, a service dog! My favorite things as self-care are playing pickup basketball, weightlifting, yoga, and currently learning how to golf and fishing. I read many of my unfinished/overbought books and comic collections when I am not active! Of course, watching shows and movies on Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu (mostly comedies). The majority of my time now is spent learning new things that my clients are interested in to relate better and continue learning and applying best practices in mental health for the specific client.
Professional experience
7yrs in practice
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Antisocial Personality, Attachment Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant Personality, Body Image, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Control Issues, Dependent Personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and Shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation/Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Men's Issues, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and Financial Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Post-traumatic Stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Trichotillomania, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
License information
IN LCSW 34009023A
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Nazeer Zerka. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Nazeer is like a deep breath of fresh sanity if our brain could breath
Written on Nov 19, 2022 after therapy with Nazeer for 9 months on issues concerning addictions, family conflicts, eating disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I wouldn't want anyone elese. So glad we were matched.
Written on Nov 18, 2022 after therapy with Nazeer for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
I was lucky to have nazeer as my first therapist. He was very good in listening and engaging with my problems. He was very kind and supportive. I felt many times that he sympathized with my issues personally as if it was his own problems. He used to give me extra time in every session just because he genuinely cares. I am glad that I met him and definitely would recommend him for other clients.
Khaled
Written on May 13, 2022 after therapy with Nazeer for 2 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
Naz was not my first therapist with BetterHelp, he was my third, and I wish I had been able to work with him from day one. He immediately made me feel at ease and established a comfortable and respectful rapport. He is an active and compassionate listener and I always felt safe and validated when sharing with him. He is the type of therapist that not only helps you discover the root of your struggles, but helps you find ways to cope and overcome them, and alter a self-deprecating mindset into an empowering one encouraging self-love and acceptance. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone who is struggling with or questioning their ADHD / ASD. You will not find a better advocate for your mental health.
Written on May 11, 2022 after therapy with Nazeer for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, coping with life changes, and adhd
Nazeer is a consummate professional who shows genuine care when working with clients. He also does a great job of putting you at ease with the counseling process. He is a strong active listener and is able to quickly process voluminous input to provide salient and relevant insights to aid the healing and growth processes. I am glad we met.
Written on Apr 13, 2022 after therapy with Nazeer for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd
Naz is very easy to talk to, resourceful, smart, and helpful. I’m very happy to be working with him.
Written on Feb 27, 2022 after therapy with Nazeer for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma and abuse