Chicago Child Psychiatry Associates

Biography:

Since 1995, Dr. Amer Smajkic has been practicing Psychiatry in the Chicago area since 1994 when he arrived at Chicago as a refugee.

Dr. Smajkic is originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina where he graduated from medical school. Dr. Smajkic started to work as a therapist and mental health counselor at Chicago Health Outreach, providing mental health services to refugees, immigrants and survivors of war, genocide and ethnic cleansing in 1994. Soon after, he established a professional academic relationship with the Department of Psychiatry at University of Illinois at Chicago, with Drs. Stevan Weine and Professor Ivan Pavkovic as mentors. Under their leadership, he participated in numerous research projects, done multiple presentations, published papers nationally and internationally all about genocide, ethnic cleansing, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mood disorders and Mental Health of Immigrants and Refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dr. Smajkic received training in general psychiatry at University of Illinois at Chicago and Rush University Medical Center. He completed general psychiatry training and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Rush University Medical Center.

Dr. Smajkic has done extensive research and published research papers with primary focus on the genocide and ethnic cleansing, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorders. He has published a chapter in the book Mental Health Services of Juvenile Offenders with title

“Suicide in Delinquent Adolescents”. Dr. Smajkic has become an expert in the areas of Refugee Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depression, Juvenile Delinquency and Child and Adolescent Depression. Dr. Smajkic is member of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He served on Committee for Juvenile Justice Reform. Dr. Smajkic is also a member of American Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Academy of Cognitive Therapy, Anxiety Disorders Association of America and Trichotillomania Learning Center. His clinical work is focused on Child, Adolescent and Young Adult population.

As a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Smajkic is applying his knowledge and skills as a Psychopharmacologist, Behavioralist and Cognitive Behavioral therapist. The focus of his care is Learning disorders, Developmental disorders, Mood disorders and Anxiety disorders.

In previous years Dr. Smajkic worked as Attending Physician and Director of Child Psychiatry Consult Liaison services at Rush University Medical Center providing inpatient care for child and adolescent population and education for medical students, residents and fellows.

At Rush University Medical Center Dr Smajkic has also become a staff member of the Cognitive Behavior Center and had academic and teaching role as a Assistant Professor. He served as a Chairman of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry services at Advocate Christ Hospital in Chicago where he provided consultations and teaching for Pediatric Residents. Dr Smajkic also worked as a director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry inpatient unit at River Edge Hospital.

Dr Smajkic is double Board Certified, he is Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and he is also Board Certified in General Psychiatry.

Currently Dr Smajkic is owner of full time Private Child, Adolescent and General Psychiatry practice in Chicago. Dr Smajkic is also a Co- owner of private cardio surgery Heart Center opened in 2018 at State Hospital in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, Dr. Smajkic was awarded as one of the three best patient-rated psychiatrists in the city of Chicago. Additionally, in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Dr. Smajkic received the award of Top Doctor in Illinois. Dr. Smajkic is also a Member of the Bosnia-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he has served in the roles of member of the Board, President of the Medical Section and President of the Board of the Academy.

Amer Smajkic MD
Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Board Certified in General Psychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
General Psychiatrist