Meet Atiq.

Atiq M. Shomar (they/them), LCSW

Clinical Supervisor  |  Practice Founder

Meet with Atiq at our Civano Location!

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About Atiq.

I'm a licensed clinical social worker and therapist who's spent the last decade building welcoming, trauma-informed care for LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities. I founded Liberation Counseling and Consulting, a thriving private practice, and I also run Atiq Shomar Consulting, where I create anti-oppression trainings and support therapy practices in building more inclusive models of care.

Mentoring clinicians as they grow into independent practice and leadership is work I find genuinely meaningful. I've supervised and launched multiple associates, and I bring that same collaborative spirit into the therapy room with every client.

My background includes leading outpatient services and telehealth mental health programs at the VA, where I focused on quality improvement and community outreach. That work deepened my respect for what genuinely accessible care requires: showing up for people in ways the system often doesn't.

I hold an MA in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and an MSW from Arizona State University. I combine clinical expertise with practical practice-management skills to make care accessible, compassionate, and sustainable.

Atiq Shomar, LCSW (they/them), founder and therapist at Liberation Counseling and Consulting in Tucson, Arizona, seated at a desk surrounded by books on psychology, therapy, and social justice.

My Approach to Therapy.

Atiq Shomar smiling, wearing a teal shirt and brown vest in the Liberation Counseling therapy office in Tucson.

I think of myself as a long-term therapist. That means I'll devote time to getting to know you, building a relationship, and understanding where you're coming from. Therapy is an investment we're both making in your future. And the most important part of the equation is the relationship you and I have with each other.

Types of therapy I do:

Lots of people are hearing about EMDR lately. And it is a very good tool to help you recover from trauma, anxiety, depression, and many other illnesses. As an EMDR trained therapist, it is an option for the work we do together. We will spend time really fleshing out your individual needs before we jump into EMDR. EMDR is part of the therapy that we'll do, but not the only thing.

DBT Skills are extremely helpful to anyone who is struggling with being present (Mindfulness), with relationships, or with tolerating difficult situations. We can integrate these skills into the therapy we do, or we can focus intensely on the skills. We'll decide together what direction might help you most.

Internal Family Systems therapy is about addressing the different "parts" that live in each of us. One part of you may be angry, while another part feels scared. That can be so confusing! We'll work hard to make sense of what's going on and to help you find your "best adult self" who can most effectively "drive the bus."

You'll notice I tend to talk in metaphors and stories. True to form, here is one last story before you leave this page:

When I was working on leaving my full-time job and starting a private practice, I talked with a good friend about how to explain the nature of therapy to someone who might be scared about it or have had a bad experience in the past. She suggested I start with something I love. I am a quilter. It makes my heart happy to create something beautiful for, and with, people I love. When I make a quilt, I take an amazing piece of fabric, cut it up, and sew it back together into something even more meaningful, connected, and stronger. Therapy works like this. Together, we will examine the struggles you face, work to cut them apart, and reassemble the pieces to create the image you want.

I may not walk in your shoes, but I will always do my best to stay focused on the picture you're painting for your life and do my best to help you get there.

If you think we might be a good fit, get in touch for a free consultation!

Credentials and Training.

Arizona License
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
License: LCSW-13586
State: Arizona
NPI: 1013202837
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Michigan License
Licensed Master Social Worker, Clinical
License: 6801119126
State: Michigan
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Education
Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees
MA Depth Psychology, Community/Liberation/Indigenous/Eco-Psych
Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2024

MSW Arizona State University, 2008

BA Women's Studies, Michigan State University, 1998
EMDR Level I and Level II Trained Safe and Sound Protocol Provider Dialectical Behavior Therapy Provider NASW Member

Beyond the Therapy Room.

Podcast Feature
Deeply Rested with Maegan Megginson
I joined Maegan Megginson on the Deeply Rested podcast to talk about doing the real work of anti-racism in your business, what that actually looks like, and why surface-level gestures fall short.
Listen to Episode
Consulting and Training
Atiq Shomar Consulting
I create anti-oppression trainings and support therapy practices in building more inclusive, equitable care models. If your organization is ready to move beyond performative inclusion, let's connect.
Professional Membership
National Association of Social Workers
NASW member, committed to the ethical standards, advocacy, and community that ground social work practice.
Find Atiq Online
Psychology Today Profile
Read reviews, check availability, and verify credentials through Atiq's verified Psychology Today listing.
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Liberation Counseling and Consulting does not provide crisis services. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.