Nui Waris, LPC

Hi! My name is Nui (she/her). I am a psychotherapist, and at my core, I am a curious and empathic lover of stories. I believe everyone has their own story and deserves a space where their experiences are truly understood. My practice is especially focused on supporting women of color, adult children of immigrant parents, individuals working to manage their anxiety/overthinking, and individuals exploring their spirituality, cultural identity, self-worth, and relationship attachments. I am dedicated to supporting not just individuals but also couples, as I believe that our connections with others are fundamental to our healing processes. In the therapy space, I gravitate towards using attachment work, polyvagal theory, somatic/body work, and parts/inner-child work. 

I am an adult child of immigrants and a Bengali American, Muslim woman who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Growing up, I didn’t know how to navigate my bicultural American and Bengali Muslim identities in predominantly white communities. My brown traditions and visibly Muslim appearance made me feel alone and othered. I felt similar in Muslim communities which felt strict and non-compassionate. As a young adult, I ventured off to connect with my authentic self. I joined communities where I learned about people through their art, befriended Muslims that made me feel accepted and safe, explored my personal connection with The Divine, navigated practicing Islam from a place of love and light, and attended my own therapy where I explored my own healing and recognized the intergenerational trauma and healing that was happening all around me in myself, my family and my communities.

As it was a journey for me, I know it can be a long journey for many others as well to find an authentic level of “being Muslim” living in the states. Through my lived experiences, I've noticed that bringing my full, authentic self into the different communities I'm a part of can be difficult-- leaving an internal feeling of separation or division within myself.

When I’m in spaces that are Islamically religious or spiritual, I have been rejected and criticized because of my beliefs of affirming and accepting everyone as they are. For those of us who belong to religious or spiritual communities, there can be parts of ourselves that fall outside of traditional practices and beliefs. These parts may have been shamed, outcasted, or rejected. To those parts of you, I see you and am here to affirm your right to exist and choose who you want to be. You deserve community and support as you are.

When I'm in spaces that are secular and social justice oriented, I have hidden my spiritual beliefs and religious practices (e.g., believing in a God and prophets or choosing not to drink alcohol) fearing that my practice or belief may be interpreted as “out of the norm”, “too religious”, or “not accepting.” There are parts of us that are unwelcomed in secular, western spaces – the parts of ourselves that hold deep spiritual beliefs or practice religious traditions that ground us and provide a sense of direction. It may not feel safe to share these parts of yourself within communities where those beliefs and practices could be misunderstood or not accepted. To those parts of you, I see you and affirm the importance it holds in your life.

I wonder if I'm not alone in these experiences, and that maybe you resonate with them too. If you do, I want to let you know that you're not alone. All the different parts of us and each of us as individuals have the right to choose our own paths. In therapy, we can explore these parts and uncover a version of you that honors the essence and entirety of who you are. My goal will be to journey with you to help you find a balance that works for you – whether you want to explore the spiritual side of Islam, practice the faith fully while still living in western society, or you’re questioning the faith and want to live harmoniously in your Muslim community, I’m here to support you on this complex and personal journey. Together, we can find the most authentic version of you so that you may live sincerely. 

While all these beliefs guide my therapy style and they have been paths that worked for myself and other clients, I am, first and foremost, a companion who will walk alongside you, listen to you with warmth, and be a holder of your unique story. You are the priority and we will work together to unravel your story and continue to write it with you holding the pen.