Our Team
Sonila Sejdaras, Psy.D, President
Dr. Sonila Sejdaras is an Albanian-born clinical psychologist, and founder who emigrated to America 1999 leaving her family behind to pursue higher education. Sonila is sought-after for her expertise on a range of topics including complex trauma, addiction, social anxiety, panic attacks, depression, perfectionism, stress and self compassion.
For the past 16 years, Sonila has worked in numerous of inpatient psychiatric hospitals and outpatient mental health clinics in Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. She mostly worked with severely mentally ill patients suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, HVI, complex trauma, and drug addiction.
Currently, Sonila is the owner of Sejdaras Psy.D & Associates private practice and works with a team of psychologists.
Silvana Loka, PhD
Dr. Silvana Loka, (DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, Relational Psychodynamic, Gottman Trained), is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PhD). She relocated from Europe in 2019 where she obtained her doctorate in psychological counseling. Dr. Silva is currently working in Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA and has 20 years of experience, from teaching several courses in psychology to holding a position as the Head of Department of Psychology and Dean of Students. Currently, she works as a counselor treating anxiety in Chicago, Philadelphia, and other States online and in-person. Dr. Silva also works as a Quality Manager Director and psychologist at WES Health Systems.
Charmaine Dodd, PsyD, RYT
Dr. Dodd is a clinical psychologist, with over a decade of clinical experience specializing in grief, depression, anxiety, complex-trauma, post-traumatic stress, race-based stress, addiction, spiritual conflicts and as well as relationship problems. Dr. Dodd approaches therapy as a partnership, first establishing trust and building connection so that the work which involves deep vulnerability can be done. Using CBT, DBT and mindfulness to improve coping, somatic and body-based approaches to enhance connection to self, and psychodynamic approaches to increase knowledge of self and others; Dr. Dodd is able to create an open, non-judgmental, safe space for you to see yourself and be seen.
Jessie Beebe, LCSW
Jessie Beebe, (Mindfulness, Relational Psychodynamic), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has 10 years of experience working in the behavioral health field. Jessie has held clinical positions at Rush University Medical Center, Heartland Alliance and AIDS Foundation Chicago. She has worked with diverse populations including people living with HIV and people experiencing homelessness. She has treated individuals living with depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other chronic health conditions.
Lilia Berkovich, Psy.D, Training Director
Dr. Berkovich is a clinical psychologist licensed in IL and NY, specializing in anxiety, trauma reactions, depression and mood dysregulation, immigration and acculturation difficulties, psychosomatic and somatic concerns, obsessive-compulsive and perfectionistic tendencies, addiction, disordered eating and body image difficulties, as well as relationship problems. She relies on relational, classical, and bodymind psychodynamic approaches and hopes for therapy to be a genuine, stimulating, and welcoming space. She is passionate about working with individuals and couples who are invested in the therapy process and are interested in in-person sessions.
Edlira Zhiti, Director of Clinic Operations
Eda had earned a Master degree in Peace Building Management in Italy, and has worked for many years in the Ministry of Culture of Albania as Leader in the Sector of Book Publishing. She worked as specialist in the consular office at Albanian Embassy in Italy.
In addition, Eda also holds a license and worked as a high school teacher in Albania and has extensive work as a teacher in Washington.
The compassion and love Eda has for the field of psychology has impacted her in excellent skills in communication and trust in people. Her innate ability to work as a team makes her an ideal candidate for this position. Lastly, she has published various articles and is the author of a book published in Italian language. Her eagerness to learn and deeply understand others, provides trust in people, with professionalism and faith
Tony Williams, HR Manager
Tony Williams brings nearly 10 years of customer service and social justice work experience to Sejdaras Psy.D & Associates. He also serves as the HR Generalist at Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4).
Prior to joining C4, he held several positions at Howard Brown Health, including Retention Specialist, Practice Manager, and Health Educator. He believes in transformational care through holistic practices that include counseling and therapy.
Brikena Gjylameti, M.Sc.
Brikena Gjylameti is a deeply empathetic and intuitive therapist who brings warmth, curiosity, and a strong work ethic to her therapy sessions. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (graduating in Tirana, Albania) and 10 years of experience supporting people through both personal and community-based work, Brikena brings a thoughtful, client-centered approach to every session. She has a genuine passion for mental health, including dedication to supporting individuals as they explore their inner world, work through challenges, and move toward healing and self-understanding.