Dr. AJ Deloney

Kojo Ngoro, taken from West African and East African languages, united form the characteristic Unconquerable Soul. Kojo Ngoro Psychotherapy, PLLC realizes that you are resilient, and through this inner strength can overcome the barriers and the complex situations that life hands you. The fact that you have arrived in this space, in the midst of a year-long pandemic, social injustice and unrest, and day-to-day living, is a testament to your resilience. Like everyone, however, there are times when you could use a helping hand, a calming voice, or a listening ear. It takes courage to ask for assistance and to disclose our vulnerabilities, especially in the moments when getting out of bed is an emotional task, or when confronting the cultural and societal messages that attempt to define us. Whatever life circumstances have led you to Kojo Ngoro Psychotherapy, PCCL, you can rest assured that I will work with you to address your current concerns, difficulties, and goals for psychotherapy. As a clinician, I recognize that no two clients are the same; each life is nuanced and unique, so it is only through collaboration that we can develop the best path to wellness for you. Further, I believe that the therapeutic relationship plays a central role in psychotherapy, and that it is a critical component to achieving a rewarding and beneficial psychotherapy experience. Given this, I place great emphasis on developing and nurturing a collaborative relationship with each of my clients. Throughout our work together, I will continuously assess and consider the complete picture – the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual factors at play – to help my clients better understand and address their current challenges, as well as the elements that have contributed to them. I incorporate evidence-based, Cognitive Behavioral, Mindfulness, Meditation, and Solution-Focused interventions in my therapeutic work, and tailor my approach based on the needs of the client before me. On a more personal note, I was raised on the south side of Chicago and attended high school in the Englewood community. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from the University of Iowa and my Master's Degree in Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago, in 2015 after spending 17 years with the federal government. I am a Black male therapist who views life through a trauma-informed lens, and I’m passionate about offering a safe space for People of Color, in particular, to process the impact of racism and discrimination on their mental well-being. I have worked with homeless-identified populations, severely mentally ill populations, as well as veterans who suffer from PTSD. I am also an LGBTQIA+ ally, my clinical experiences include providing community outreach, psychosocial rehabilitation with the Veterans Administration, college student counseling, and hospital outpatient psychiatry. Please feel free to contact me directly for more information.