Aisha Malik, LCSW

Clinical Therapist

Aisha Malik is a dedicated Clinical Therapist at the District 21 Health Center with four years of experience working in a non-profit shelter for unaccompanied minors. She provided counseling services for adolescents impacted by trauma, including gang violence, human trafficking, separation from parents, and adjustment to life in the U.S. Malik’s preferred therapy modalities include play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She then stepped into a supervisory role, managing a team of four mental health professionals. She transitioned to her role with Advocate as she missed directly working with kids.

EDUCATION

• Master’s: DePaul University, Master’s in Social Work, graduated with honors
• Bachelor’s: University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Bachelor’s in Psychology

Q&A

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“What I love most about my job is helping kids understand their emotions, watching them build self-confidence, and supporting them as they navigate life challenges.”

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK GROWING UP?
“As a kid, I loved the Magic Tree House series and as a teen, I was obsessed with the Twilight series.”

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE GROWING UP?
“Halloweentown.”

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
“Scrolling through TikTok for much longer than I should.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD?
“Chinese food! My go-to order is shrimp fried rice and crab rangoon.”