I am an experienced mental health therapist with expertise in individual, group, and crisis management counseling. My therapeutic approach is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, strengths-based therapy, and solution-focused therapy, while also considering the systems that contribute to a client's presenting issues. My primary focus is working with individuals on the autism spectrum, people of color, and student-athletes, with an emphasis on building a strong therapeutic alliance and creating a safe space for clients to express themselves.
I hold a bachelor's degree in exercise science and psychology from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a master's degree in social work from the same institution. Prior to my current position at Purdue University's counseling center, I worked for five years as a mental health therapist at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, where I specialized in providing therapy and outreach to sports teams and students of color, with a particular focus on those on the autism spectrum.
Currently residing in Lafayette, Indiana, with my family, I am passionate about self-care activities, including playing pickup basketball, weightlifting, yoga, and exploring new hobbies such as golfing and fishing. In my spare time, I enjoy reading unfinished books and comic collections, as well as watching comedies on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. I make a point to stay current with my clients' interests, consistently learning and applying best practices in mental health to ensure the highest level of care.
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
IN LCSW 34009023A
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Nazeer Zerka II. 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.
Naz is a great therapist! I feel like he understands my stressors and helps me to see what’s underneath them. Naz has a way of categorizing things in such a way that it forces me to see a thing from a different perspective. I wouldn’t trade Naz for another therapist, he is the best! I appreciate his dedication to his craft and patients.
Written on Mar 29, 2023 after therapy with Nazeer for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, career difficulties, and compassion fatigue
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
