Therapy can—at its best—be a starting point for deep transformation. And yet, the mere idea of change itself can be scary. But fear—just like the wide range of emotions we have the capacity to feel—is a human experience. Being able to access the full range of our emotions—no matter how distressing at times—and still move forward and onward is fundamental to our healing.

I enjoy working with folks who want to explore their racial/ethnic identity and/or experiences of marginalization and social injustice as these facets interface with their wellness. As a daughter of Indo-Caribbean immigrants, I am uniquely positioned to offer support to folks who exist in the in-betweens of cultures and lineages. The intersections of my own identity tend to offer particular comfort to folks of Muslim, South Asian, Caribbean, and/or Middle Eastern/SWANA/Arab backgrounds. Nevertheless, many of my clients come from various ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

Furthermore, I am able to assist creative professionals navigate the unique challenges they face in their professional and personal environments. Folks also tend to seek therapy with me for support with navigating anxiety, depression, existential concerns, recovery from substance use/abuse, and major life transitions.

The work I do with folks is not divorced from the reality of the world we live in. My work is rooted in an understanding of systemic oppression; I strongly believe that it is not possible to consider healing outside the context of our external realities. Nonetheless, I believe in helping folks find strength through a connection to the endurance of their lineages, within themselves and their relations, and through their spirituality. We have so much to offer to ourselves, each other, and the world when we root in who we are with authenticity and integrity.

Exploration of identity and its intersections and contending with different, sometimes conflicting parts of self is oftentimes a huge part of the work I do with folks; I facilitate this work through a variety of experiential methods. Therapy with me is, ultimately, an exploration; and a willingness to explore is something I ask of myself and my clients.

I know how daunting meeting with a therapist can be, especially if it is your first time seeking therapy. Sitting with a stranger and sharing openly about yourself may not feel natural, and that’s okay. Perhaps it will give you some comfort to be reminded that I am not perfect; I am simply human, like you. It is through this acknowledgement of our shared humanity that I hope to be able to connect with folks for whom I hold space.

Therapy is a process, one that will certainly take effort, patience, willingness, and courage. If you are curious about what that process could be like for you, I encourage you to reach out to me.

• I am offering secure, HIPAA-compliant teletherapy (video call) sessions for individuals residing in New York.

• For a quicker response time, please utilize email to contact me at zkhan@zakeeyahlmhc.com.