Yasmeen Abu-Alsaoud
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over four years of experience providing therapy. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Counseling from Lesley University and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Cambridge College. I believe counseling is a space to gain insight, build resilience, and receive the support needed to create meaningful and positive change. I primarily work with adults experiencing ADHD, anxiety, depression and self-care. I also enjoy supporting fellow therapists.
First session
The first session will generally be an intake appointment, where I will be getting to know the client more and their goals for therapy as well as the client getting to know me and my approach for therapy better, in order to see if we will be a good match. I also try to write a treatment plan within the first session or two so that the client and I are on the same page moving forward in sessions on what we are working on.
Strengths
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each individual’s needs. I integrate a variety of evidence-based and holistic approaches, including Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and holistic techniques to best support each client’s goals and growth. I strive to create a supportive environment while also being honest and direct when it's beneficial to the client.
Ideal clients
My ideal client would approach therapy with openness to wanting to learn more about themself and mental health. Some resistance is natural with therapy especially when trying it for the first time, it takes courage to ask for help and to be vulnerable in front of someone new but an inner motivation is also needed in order to fully benefit from therapy.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT via discussion, worksheets, workbooks and handouts so that clients have something to go back to in between sessions or after sessions have ended, if they forget something learned or if they feel stuck. I go by what the client wants to talk about or work on but at the same time work to help guide the client in knowing their options or of things they may not know of that could help them. I balance time in session with the client on learning new skills and specific mental health information to help the client feel less overwhelmed and to help generate a discussion based on the client's diagnosis, symptoms and possible treatments.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT uses our natural human ability to overcome anxiety. By learning what naturally works people have an easier time using ACT on their own. I like to incorporate different therapeutic methods with clients in case one doesn't work for them. ACT encourages acceptance of one's self and flexibility in one's thinking. I enjoy teaching others diffusion techniques for anxiety and enjoy hearing when clients tell me that ACT has been the thing that has helped them the most in therapy.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I do traditional person centered therapy with clients as well. I feel the CBT and humanistic therapy approaches help balance each other out. I notice clients at times have difficulty knowing what to talk about in therapy or where to start, which is completely natural but sometimes having a plan helps people warm up and feel more comfortable. I also know that sometimes people just want a listening ear and that is ok too.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Middle Eastern or North African
Woman
Top specialties
ADHD
Anxiety
Depression
Other specialties
Loneliness / Isolation
Self Esteem
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Doesn't specialize in
Addiction
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
Medication Management
Men's Issues
Military/Veterans
Perinatal / Postpartum
Perinatal Mental Health
Postpartum
Racism
Recent Hospitalization
Sex Addiction
Sex Therapy
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Health
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues
Licensed in
MassachusettsLicense LMHC10004936