- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Social anxiety
About Chidi
Chidi Ojinnaka is an Iowa Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with 40 years of professional experience. He helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. He also addresses related concerns such as body image, communication problems, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, self-love, and social anxiety and phobia.
Chidi uses a practical, strengths-aware approach that assumes people know important parts of their story. He listens for what already works and builds on those skills. Sessions focus on clear goals, small steps, and practical ways to reduce overwhelming feelings and improve day-to-day functioning.
He frames the work as problem-focused and collaborative, helping people name patterns that keep them stuck and try different responses. Conversations often include ways to handle panic symptoms, calm intense moments, and practice communication skills for difficult interactions. Chidi encourages rehearsal and real-world practice between sessions so new skills have a chance to stick.
Over four decades of practice, he has supported people through life transitions such as divorce and separation, and through the aftermath of trauma. He pays attention to how shame, guilt, and body image concerns affect relationships and self-worth. His style is straightforward and aimed at producing usable tools rather than abstract talk.
People who struggle with feeling watched, speaking up, or meeting new people often look for help with social anxiety and phobia; Chidi includes these concerns among his areas of work. To begin, follow the site’s booking steps and complete the short matching questionnaire to schedule a first session.
Approaches for anxiety, trauma, and practical change
Chidi works with evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear skills and behavioral change. One common approach is focused skills training to manage anxiety and panic symptoms - this involves learning breathing and grounding exercises, practicing them in session, and using them during high-anxiety moments to reduce intensity. Another approach emphasizes paced exposure to avoided situations, helping people face feared social situations in small, measured steps so they can test assumptions and build confidence.Finding the right set of techniques is a collaborative process. The therapist will review a person’s goals, symptoms, and preferences, and then suggest strategies to try. Progress is tracked and adjustments are made together so methods stay relevant to daily life.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm which online options are available before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. They also let people practice skills in settings that matter to them, such as rehearsing a conversation just before a social event or doing a brief grounding exercise during a break at work.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression, plus related concerns like body image and social anxiety and phobia.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses a practical, strengths-aware approach focused on setting clear goals, practicing skills, and trying small steps between sessions.
How much experience does he have?
He has 40 years of professional work experience in behavioral health and social work.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an Iowa LISW and practices from Iowa.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm the current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.