Doctoral candidate AJ Deloney, MSW, LCSW, is a dedicated psychotherapist employed full-time at the University of Chicago’s Student Wellness Center and maintains a private practice, Kojo Ngoro Psychotherapy, PLLC. AJ enjoys working with young adults who often present with shared challenges, regardless of cultural or socio-economic backgrounds. In his private practice, he focuses on helping Black men navigate barriers to treatment while managing their mental and physical health.
AJ received his Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree from the University of Iowa and his Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago in 2015. AJ is projected to earn his Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of Kentucky in May 2024. AJ’s research focuses on increasing mental health treatment engagement and retention among Black males by applying an Afrocentric trauma-informed practice approach. He has found connections between untreated mental illness and increased chronic illness that contribute to increased mortality rates among Black men. He has also found that there are barriers specific to Black males that continue to prevent them from seeking treatment. Aside from his professional aspirations, AJ volunteers with a Chicago non-profit organization of Black men whose mission is to reduce community violence by being a presence, engaging with young people, and offering positive support and resources.
AJ’s clinical approach to psychotherapy incorporates evidence-based interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy trauma-informed care, and emphasizes mindfulness and meditation for self-care. However, it is AJ’s Afrocentric treatment approach that validates the traumatic experiences suffered by the African diaspora.