Dr. Saad Athar

Hello! I am a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow and earned my Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from Roosevelt University here in Chicago! I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in women’s and gender studies from Rutgers University— New Brunswick.

I work primarily with adults navigating concerns related to relationships, identity, intimacy, sexuality, men’s mental health, complex trauma, personality patterns, and significant life or health-related transitions. I have also specialized experiences in sex therapy, health and cancer psychology, LGBTQ+ mental health, and psychological assessment. My clinical work is grounded in a multicultural and intersectional perspective, with interests in supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, members of the South Asian diaspora, and all people navigating the intersections of culture, sexuality, gender, family, and identity.

I believe the art of therapy is most meaningful when it is rooted in an honest, authentic, and genuinely human relationship. I primarily work from a relational perspective, which means I understand our emotional lives as deeply connected to our experiences of vulnerability, intimacy, belonging, and engagement with the broader social world. The patterns that emerge in therapy can often reflect patterns occurring in everyday life, allowing us to understand them together in real time. I strive to create a space where you can feel understood, remain curious about yourself, and bring forward parts of your experience that may be difficult to share elsewhere.

This also means that we may challenge and openly explore moments of discomfort, tension, or misunderstanding when they arise between us. However, I believe it is precisely these moments that allow us to strengthen our therapeutic bond!

I hope that our work will extend beyond the therapy room and help you engage with your life and relationships with greater awareness, freedom, and authenticity. You may arrive in therapy feeling as though you are repeatedly encountering locked doors, with uncertainty about why they are there or how to move through them. I see my role as helping you understand those barriers, recognize the strengths and possibilities already within you, and develop the courage to open doors that lead toward a fuller and more meaningful life.