Therapist profile
Dr. Akamin Nkengaka, LCSW
Illinois
LCSW - Stress and relationship struggles
Continue with AkaminWhere Akamin stands
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, Illinois / 149028885
- NPI
- 1083193114
- Experience
- 15 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Illinois
About
- CBT and ACT approaches
- Attachment-focused work
- Codependency concerns
About Akamin
Dr. Akamin Nkengaka is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Illinois with 15 years of experience. He focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and depression, and lists codependency among his additional areas of focus. He offers direct, practical work that aims to help people stop putting others' needs ahead of their own and rebuild clearer boundaries.
He uses straightforward, evidence-informed methods drawn from cognitive behavioral ideas and related therapies. Sessions look at patterns of thought and behavior that keep someone stuck in people-pleasing or caregiving roles. He also attends to attachment concerns and relationship dynamics that make saying no feel unsafe.
In practice he encourages clients to name specific goals and try concrete steps between meetings. That can include short behavioral experiments, new ways of speaking up, and skills to manage intense feelings. Progress is measured by whether those small changes make daily life feel more manageable.
Dr. Nkengaka treats trauma and substance-related problems with approaches that combine emotion regulation skills and acceptance-based strategies. He supports work on self-worth and identity that often underlies codependent patterns. He accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English.
To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule their first meeting. Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How sessions work
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
Dr. Nkengaka uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice and change thoughts and actions that keep them stuck. CBT breaks problems into small, testable steps and is useful for anxiety, low mood, and patterns like people-pleasing.He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which teaches skills for living with strong feelings while committing to actions that reflect personal values. ACT can help when avoidance or over-responsibility keeps someone from making changes. Finally, attachment-based ideas are used to look at how early relationship patterns affect present behavior and trust, which can be important when someone struggles to assert needs.
Choosing the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist and client discuss goals, try methods, and adjust as needed rather than sticking to one fixed plan. That makes it easier to find strategies that fit the person's daily life and limits.
The biography does not specify which session formats are used, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it simpler to fit meetings around work, reduce travel time, or use shorter check-ins when a full session is hard to schedule. Licensed professionals can still offer hands-on skills practice, homework assignments, and ongoing measurement of progress during virtual meetings.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem challenges, and depression. Codependency is listed among his additional focus areas.
How would he approach people-pleasing or boundary issues?
He uses cognitive behavioral methods and acceptance-based strategies to help identify unhelpful patterns and try new behaviors. Therapy often includes short exercises to practice saying no and handling strong emotions.
What is his clinical background?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience working with trauma, substance-related problems, mood issues, and relationship concerns.
Where is he based and licensed?
He is based in Illinois and holds an IL LCSW credential.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule the first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.