I am a therapist with 10 years of experience working with adolescents and adults in various settings, including private practice, schools, inpatient hospitals, outpatient community-based care, IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program), and PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program). I am licensed in the states of MD, VA, and DC. Additionally, I provide DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) group therapy. In addition to my practice, I also serve as an adjunct instructor at Marymount University. I find great fulfillment in my job as it allows me to make a positive impact on the world by helping individuals on a one-on-one basis. Lastly, I am a certified coach practitioner, and I find great joy in assisting my patients in setting and accomplishing their personal goals. Whether it's in their personal or professional lives, I provide support and guidance to help them navigate their journey towards success.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our initial session, our focus will be on getting to know each other and determining if we are a good fit for working together. We will take the time to understand each other's perspectives, establish rapport, and build trust. Additionally, we will delve into your goals and expectations for therapy, exploring what you hope to achieve and how I can best support you on your therapeutic journey. This session will serve as a foundation for our work together moving forward.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Having worked with a diverse range of clients in various settings, I have gained a valuable perspective on mental health. These experiences have allowed me to develop a deep understanding of different challenges individuals may face. Furthermore, being a working mother and a partner who has lived in different countries and immersed myself in various cultures, I have cultivated an open-mindedness, cultural awareness, and most importantly, an emotional connection with others. These personal experiences have enhanced my ability to empathize and connect with individuals from different backgrounds, fostering a more inclusive and understanding therapeutic environment.
About Hawraa Akhond
Specializes in
Serves ages
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Accepts cash
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Cultural sensitivity in therapy is essential because it acknowledges and respects the diversity of individuals' cultural backgrounds, beliefs, values, and experiences. Here are some reasons why cultural sensitivity is important in therapy: 1. Respect for Individual Differences: Every individual brings their unique cultural background, including their beliefs, values, traditions, and experiences, to therapy. Cultural sensitivity recognizes and respects these differences, fostering a safer and more inclusive therapeutic environment. It helps therapists avoid making assumptions or imposing their own cultural biases onto clients, allowing for a more personalized and client-centered approach. 2. Effective Communication and Understanding: Cultural sensitivity helps therapists understand and communicate effectively with clients from different cultural backgrounds. It involves being aware of cultural norms, language nuances, non-verbal cues, and communication styles specific to different cultures. By being attuned to these factors, therapists can enhance their understanding of clients' experiences and ensure that therapeutic interventions are culturally appropriate and relevant. 3. Building Trust and Rapport: Culture plays a significant role in shaping individuals' identities and influences their interactions and worldview. When therapists demonstrate cultural sensitivity, they validate and acknowledge the importance of clients' cultural backgrounds. This fosters a sense of trust, rapport, and mutual understanding in therapy, encouraging clients to feel more comfortable and open in sharing their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. 4. Avoiding Stereotyping and Bias: Cultural sensitivity helps therapists avoid stereotypes and biases that may arise from cultural generalizations or assumptions.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world can greatly influence our emotions and behaviors. By identifying and challenging unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns, individuals can develop healthier thoughts and behaviors, leading to improved emotional well-being. Here are some key components and techniques commonly used in CBT: 1. Cognitive Restructuring: Cognitive restructuring involves identifying and challenging negative or distorted thoughts and beliefs.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy focuses on helping individuals develop psychological flexibility and improve their overall well-being. ACT is based on the premise that avoiding or suppressing difficult thoughts, emotions, or experiences often leads to psychological distress and interferes with living a meaningful life. Instead, ACT encourages individuals to accept their inner experiences while committing to actions aligned with their personal values. Here are some key components and techniques commonly used in ACT: 1. Mindfulness: Mindfulness exercises are a fundamental aspect of ACT. By practicing mindfulness, individuals learn to observe their thoughts, emotions, and sensations in a non-judgmental and accepting way. This helps individuals cultivate a greater awareness of the present moment and develop a more adaptive relationship with their internal experiences. 2. Acceptance: ACT emphasizes accepting and making room for uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, and sensations rather than trying to change or eliminate them. The goal is to acknowledge and embrace all aspects of one's experience, including pain and distress, rather than fighting or avoiding them. 3. Defusion: Defusion techniques aim to help individuals distance themselves from their thoughts and lessening their impact. By recognizing that thoughts are not necessarily accurate reflections of reality, individuals can choose to let go of unhelpful patterns of thinking and have a more flexible and open attitude towards their thoughts. 4. Values clarification: ACT explores an individual's core values – what they deeply care about and what gives their life meaning. Through values clarification exercises, individuals identify their personal values and learn to align their actions and behaviors with those values. This process helps individuals focus on living a purposeful life rather than being driven by short-term desires or avoidance of discomfort. 5. Committed action: ACT emphasizes the importance of taking action in line with one's values and committed goals, despite the presence of uncomfortable thoughts or emotions. It encourages individuals to make choices and engage in behaviors that align with their values, fostering a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. 6. Self-as-context: ACT highlights the idea that individuals have a transcendent self that remains constant and separate from their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This perspective helps individuals develop a more flexible and resilient sense of self, allowing them to detach from unhelpful narratives and connect with their core values. ACT has shown effectiveness in treating a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, substance abuse, chronic pain, and stress-related difficulties.
Daialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach that was initially developed to treat borderline personality disorder but has since been adapted to address a range of mental health concerns. Here are some ways in which DBT treatment can help: 1. Emotion regulation: DBT focuses on enhancing emotional regulation skills for individuals who struggle with intense and overwhelming emotions. Through various techniques, such as mindfulness exercises, individuals learn to identify, understand, and manage their emotions effectively, reducing impulsive or self-destructive behaviors. 2. Distress tolerance: Many individuals find it challenging to tolerate distressing emotions or situations. DBT helps individuals develop healthy coping strategies and techniques to manage distress without resorting to harmful or impulsive behaviors. By learning new ways to tolerate distress, individuals can better navigate difficult emotions without engaging in harmful actions. 3. Interpersonal effectiveness: DBT emphasizes developing effective communication and interpersonal skills. It provides individuals with tools to establish and maintain healthy relationships, set boundaries, and improve conflict resolution skills. This aspect of DBT can be particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with interpersonal difficulties, including those with borderline personality disorder. 4. Mindfulness practices: DBT incorporates mindfulness exercises, which help individuals cultivate present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Mindfulness techniques can improve focus, emotional regulation, and overall well-being, enabling individuals to respond to challenges in a more skillful way. 5. Self-acceptance and validation: DBT emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and self-validation. It helps individuals develop a compassionate and non-judgmental attitude toward themselves, fostering a sense of self-worth and self-acceptance. This can contribute to improved self-esteem and emotional well-being.
Faith based therapy
Faith-based therapy can be helpful for individuals who have a strong religious or spiritual belief system. Here are some ways in which faith-based therapy can help: 1. Integration of spirituality: Faith-based therapy incorporates religious or spiritual beliefs and practices into the therapeutic process. This can provide a sense of meaning, purpose, and guidance for individuals seeking therapy. By integrating one's faith, individuals may find comfort, hope, and a deeper connection to their values and beliefs, which can contribute positively to their mental and emotional well-being. 2. Support in times of crisis: During challenging times or when faced with personal crises, faith-based therapy can offer a supportive framework. It allows individuals to lean on their religious or spiritual beliefs for strength and resilience. Therapists who specialize in faith-based therapy can provide guidance, support, and encouragement within the context of an individual's religious or spiritual beliefs.