Abani Dhewajoo

Compassionate, practical care for life’s challenges

LCSW Illinois

Experience: 6 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Abani

Abani Dhewajoo is a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, anger, self-esteem struggles, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

With six years of experience as a therapist and a longer career in social work, she blends practical skills with a compassionate, person-centered attitude to support clients through difficult moments. Her style is warm, interactive, and strength-focused, emphasizing respect and sensitivity while avoiding stigmatizing labels.

She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside dialectical and humanistic influences to create tailored treatment plans. Sessions emphasize collaboration so that interventions match each person’s needs, goals, and values.

Abani encourages clients to recognize their existing strengths and to take incremental steps toward greater wellbeing. She aims to build an empowering therapeutic relationship that supports coping, stronger self-regard, and clearer direction during times of change.

She practices in Illinois as an LCSW and conducts sessions in English.

Approaches That Guide Online Work and What to Expect

Abani commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment-Based approaches to shape online sessions. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be especially useful for managing anxiety, stress, and challenges with mood and motivation. Attachment-Based work explores relational patterns and emotional safety, helping clients understand how early and current relationships influence responses to stress and intimacy.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She will work with each client to identify goals, preferences, and practical needs, then adapt techniques from these models so therapy fits the person rather than forcing a rigid method. This collaborative stance allows for experimentation and adjustment over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with her is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and use different communication styles for skills practice or check-ins between longer appointments.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Abani commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem issues, and coping with life changes, along with additional focuses such as adoption and foster care, communication problems, domestic violence, family problems, guilt and shame, impulsivity, life purpose, multicultural concerns, pregnancy and childbirth, self-love, and women's issues.

What is her therapeutic approach and style?

Her approach is warm and interactive with a strengths-based perspective, integrating methods like CBT, DBT, attachment-informed and client-centered techniques to tailor therapy to individual needs.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has six years of experience working as a therapist and has practiced as a professional social worker for a longer period prior to her current clinical work.

Where is she licensed and what are her credentials?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with the license number IL LCSW 149026729.

In which language does she offer therapy and can she see clients abroad?

Therapy is offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

Which session formats are available for online work?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are sessions priced and billed?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are needed to begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteem Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careCommunication problemsDomestic violenceFamily problemsGuilt and shame ImpulsivityLife purposeMulticultural concernsPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

6+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English