Dr. Nazeer Zerka II, LCSW
About me
Hey there! I'm Dr. Naz, and I offer individual therapy and wellness coaching. You'll see my degrees and licensure, but I highlight today my unique ability to connect with clients as one of the few men of color in this industry, especially since I am a neurodivergent myself.
Growing up in Flint and Saginaw, Michigan, I don't rely on my education and doctorate to help my clients. I use my life experiences and deep empathy to understand what you bring to the table in therapy truly. People come to therapy for various reasons: some are looking for support, some for solutions, some for a cheerleader, and some need someone to push them. I have a unique ability to do all those things and ensure you always smile and laugh during our sessions ????.
My mission in life is to help others better their lives. My specialties are working with folks of color, student-athletes, and those who are neurodivergent. For anyone who is neurodivergent or autistic reading this, you've finally found someone who not only specializes in but also deeply understands your unique perspective. Whether you're looking for explanations for your behavior, ways you interpret the world, or trying to figure out job functioning and ADHD, I'll do my best to help you with interpersonal skills, relationships, and more.
I'm genuinely excited and honored to work with each of my clients and help them reach their goals in life. This isn't just my job, as all my clients will tell you—this is my passion. This is my life. I'm different from any therapist you've ever had, and together, we'll be one of the best teams. I'll be there for you through life's challenges, the ups, the downs, the hardships, the sadness, the happiest moments, the joys, and the promotions ????. If you're reading this and choose to work with me, I'm excited to see where we can go together. We'll support and empower you to be the best version of yourself, even if that best version is just not hating yourself anymore.
Welcome to the Different Spectrums family! If you're curious about my style and humor, you're welcome to listen to our podcast, which has over forty thousand followers.
I enjoy pickup basketball, weightlifting, and yoga outside the therapy room. I'm currently adding golf and fishing to my repertoire. I admit to a penchant for reading half-bought books and comics. To unwind, you'll catch me enjoying Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu comedies. ???????????????????? #TherapistExtraordinaire #AutisticAndProud
Professional experience
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, Veteran and Armed Forces 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
License information
IN LCSW 34009023A
Reviews
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.
Dr. Zerka is a wonderful therapist, and I have been seeing him for a few years now. He is warm, open and compassionate in every session. He actively listens with keen attention to detail, and provides empathy and care where needed. He provides good insights and tips to help gain agency and independence in addressing my issues. I feel confident recommending Dr. Zerka to anyone seeking therapy.
Written on Apr 25, 2024 after therapy with Nazeer for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse
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