Milana Pehar, LCPC, PMH-C
OCD & Trauma Therapy Rooted in Understanding
Meet Milana Pehar
What is it like to work together?
It’s the question many people start with: “What will it actually be like to work with you?” You’re not just looking for someone with the right credentials; you’re looking for a therapist who feels safe, understanding, and like a good fit.
My goal is to help you move from feeling pushed around by anxious, overwhelming, or intrusive thoughts and feelings to a life where you can be more present, more often. That might mean feeling more like the parent, partner, friend, or person you’ve been imagining in your head, but haven’t quite been able to be yet.
Clients sometimes tell me that our work is the first time their experience has truly felt understood. The story they’ve repeated to loved ones, to professionals, to anyone who might help, finally lands and is fully heard. I’m deeply curious about your inner world, your history, and how all of this shows up in your everyday life, so we’re working with you, not just a label or checklist.
I bring that understanding into our sessions along with honesty, compassion, and a down‑to‑earth, “let’s figure this out together” energy, so you don’t have to do this alone.
Evidence-Based OCD, Trauma, and Perinatal Therapy Approaches
My evidence-based therapies include:
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Family support for OCD
Trauma-informed therapy techniques tailored to each client’s needs
I truly stake my career on the belief that it does. As a trauma-informed therapist in Chicago, I bring both clinical training and a personal understanding of OCD to my work. This gives me a unique perspective and deepens the compassion and nuance I bring to each client’s experience.
I also understand the importance of being able to pivot when it's clear that different treatment approaches are needed. Flexibility that's backed by clarity and consistency is an important part of my practice.
I take immense pride in creating a calming, grounded space where my clients are free to explore their symptoms and lived experiences without fear or hesitation.
Does Lived Experience Matter in Therapy?
My Clinical Training
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
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Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C)
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Trained in Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)
Trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Maternal Mental Health Certificate through Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Training through PSI
2-Year Advanced Clinical Trauma Training Program through CCIH (expected completion 2028)
Advanced Training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
OCD, Trauma, & Perinatal Mental Health Counseling in the Chicagoland Area
My clients come to me from Ravenswood and throughout Chicago, including Andersonville, Lincoln Square, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park, as well as nearby suburbs. I also offer telehealth to clients throughout Illinois. Schedule your consultation now.
Please do not include confidential or sensitive health information in this form. This contact form is not HIPAA-compliant and is intended for general inquiries only.