Tides Mental Health

Victoria Najjar

MA, ALMFT

Pronouns: She/Her

Therapy for Navigating Identity, Relationships, and Life Transitions

Warm, collaborative support to help you feel more grounded and connected—to yourself and those you love.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Let’s Start Here

You’ve been holding a lot lately—trying to show up for others while quietly wondering if you’re doing enough, or if you’re starting to lose touch with yourself in the process. Maybe you’re navigating big life changes, relationship stress, or the weight of expectations from family and culture. It can be hard to know where to begin, or even what healing is supposed to look like. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Therapy is a space to slow down, breathe, and start making sense of what’s happening inside. Together, we’ll explore the patterns and pressures shaping your life, helping you reconnect with your strength and your sense of self.

What would you say to someone who’s nervous or unsure about starting therapy?

Hi, I’m Victoria Najjar, a marriage and family therapist at Tides Mental Health. Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin—we’ll take things one step at a time together, creating space for you to feel safe, seen, and supported.

What It’s Like to Work Together

My approach is warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental. I see therapy as a partnership—you bring your lived experiences and I bring tools, curiosity, and compassion. In our sessions, we’ll explore how your relationships, culture, and history shape how you see yourself and others. I integrate approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based techniques to help you build awareness and new ways of responding. We might work on identifying triggers, practicing communication skills, or understanding how early experiences continue to influence the present. Most of all, I want therapy to feel like a safe space to be fully yourself—without needing to shrink, edit, or explain parts of who you are.

What can clients expect it to feel like in a session with you?

Sessions with me are calm, collaborative, and centered on you. We move at your pace, exploring what’s important while building skills to manage what feels overwhelming. You can expect curiosity, reflection, and genuine care—not judgment or pressure.

What’s one reason you’re passionate about the work you do?

I’m deeply passionate about creating space for people to feel seen in all parts of their identity. As an Arab Latina and first-generation therapist, I understand how culture and history can shape our stories. It’s meaningful to walk alongside clients as they reconnect with their voice, their relationships, and their sense of wholeness.

Clinical Specialties​

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Grief and loss
  • Self-esteem and identity exploration
  • Relationship and family challenges
  • Trauma recovery and attachment wounds
  • Cultural and racial identity
  • Life transitions and adjustment
  • Spirituality and meaning-making

Treatment Modalities

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Narrative and Family Systems Therapy
  • Somatic and Mindfulness Approaches.

Populations Served​

  • Adolescents
  • Young adults
  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Blended families
  • Multicultural and first-generation clients
  • BIPOC and LGBTQ+ affirming clients
  • Individuals navigating identity
  • Belonging
  • Life transitions

Training & Credentials​

  • Education: M.A. in Couple and Family Therapy (Adler University), B.S. in Psychology (University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign)
  • Licensure:Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (ALMFT)
  • Certification: Advanced training in EFT, trauma, and attachment-based therapy
  • Languages Spoken: English
  • Availability: In-person in Chicago and telehealth across Illinois.

You don’t need to have the perfect words or plan—just a willingness to start. Reaching out is a brave step toward feeling more connected and at ease in your life. If you’re ready to see whether we might be a good fit, I’d be honored to meet you.

Schedule Free Consultation Now

Insurance We Accept

We accept most major insurance providers and offer several convenient payment methods to ensure accessibility for your care. We also offer various payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and electronic payments.