Licensed to practice in New York and accepts 10 insurances. Specializes in Addiction, Anxiety, Self Esteem
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Asma Alqahtani, a clinical social worker and mother. I immigrated to the United States from the Middle East, and my personal experiences have shaped the way I connect with and support others. I have been working in social work since 2017, with experience supporting children, families, and adults, particularly individuals navigating substance use and other life challenges. My approach to therapy is compassionate, supportive, and practical. I believe therapy is not only about talking through challenges, but also about understanding yourself, developing new skills, and applying those tools in everyday life. I meet my clients where they are while also encouraging growth, accountability, and meaningful change. I enjoy working with clients who are open to self-reflection and willing to take an active role in their healing and personal development. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and comfortable being yourself, while also helping you identify patterns, build on your strengths, and work toward the life you want. As a mother and an immigrant, I understand that life can come with unique transitions, responsibilities, and challenges. I bring empathy, cultural awareness, and real-life perspective into my work with each client. Whether you are struggling with relationships, substance use, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, I’m here to help you move forward at your own pace.
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a comfortable, trusting therapeutic relationship. I’ll start by learning more about you; where you come from, what brought you to therapy, and what you hope to gain from the experience. If this is your first time in therapy, I’m happy to answer any questions and help you understand what to expect. We’ll also review some of the information you provided during your intake and talk about your current concerns, goals, and expectations for therapy. My goal is to understand what is most important to you and work together to determine how I can best support you. We’ll discuss scheduling and find a routine that works for you so that therapy can be consistent and realistic with your daily life. I also encourage you to ask questions throughout the process. Therapy should feel collaborative, and your voice and goals matter. Confidentiality is an important part of our work together. What you share in therapy is generally kept confidential, with limited exceptions when there is a serious safety concern, such as risk of harm to yourself or others, or other situations where disclosure is required by law. We can discuss confidentiality and its limits more fully during our first session. I value respect, honesty, accountability, and open communication in the therapeutic relationship. I believe meaningful progress happens when we can be honest with ourselves, take responsibility for the changes we want to make, and work together toward those goals. If we are working together as a couple, I also follow a no-secrets policy. This means that information shared individually that is relevant to the couples therapy may need to be addressed openly within the context of treatment. We can discuss how this policy works during our first session. Between sessions, you may also have the ability to send messages through the platform. I will respond as soon as I reasonably can, while keeping in mind that messaging is not intended for emergencies or crisis situations. Most importantly, there is no expectation that you have everything figured out before your first session. You simply need to show up as you are. We’ll take it from there, together.
I would describe my approach as a balance between creating a safe space for you to feel heard and understood, while also gently challenging you when I believe it can help you grow. I believe both are important. Sometimes you need someone to simply listen, validate your experience, and hold space for what you are going through. Other times, you may need someone who will respectfully challenge you, help you see things differently, and encourage you to take meaningful action. I use active listening, validation, and open-ended questions to better understand your experiences, thoughts, emotions, and perspective. I also pay close attention to patterns in the way we think, behave, communicate, and make decisions. Together, we can explore how those patterns may be impacting your current life and relationships. I believe our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are closely connected. I often help clients slow down and examine the thoughts and beliefs that influence how they feel and respond to different situations. We can identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck and work together to develop healthier and more realistic ways of thinking and responding. I also believe therapy should extend beyond the session. When appropriate, I may give you practical exercises or homework to help you apply what we discussed in your everyday life. At our next session, we can talk about what you noticed, what worked, what was challenging, and what may need to change. I see this as an important part of measuring progress and making therapy practical rather than simply having conversations each week. My personal and professional experiences have shaped the way I connect with clients. As an immigrant, a mother, and a social worker who has worked with children, families, and adults since 2017, I understand that everyone comes to therapy with their own experiences, challenges, and strengths. My work in the substance use field has also taught me the importance of patience, resilience, accountability, and meeting people where they are without judgment. Ultimately, I want our work together to feel collaborative. I will give you space to talk and process, but I will also encourage you to look deeper, recognize patterns, and take responsibility for the changes you want to make. My goal is for you to feel understood while also leaving therapy with greater awareness, practical tools, and the confidence to apply what you learn in your everyday life.
My ideal client is someone who is open to self-reflection, willing to be honest about the challenges they are experiencing, and ready to take an active role in their therapy. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting. What matters most to me is having some level of awareness that something in your life may need to change and being willing to explore that together. I work best with clients who are motivated to attend sessions consistently, participate in the therapeutic process, and practice the skills and strategies we discuss outside of our sessions. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I value clients who understand that meaningful change takes time, effort, and commitment. I appreciate working with individuals who are willing to look at their thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and patterns with openness and curiosity. You may be struggling with a specific concern, feeling stuck in certain patterns, navigating a life transition, or simply wanting to better understand yourself. Wherever you are starting from, I want to help you identify your goals and take realistic steps toward them. Accountability is also an important part of my approach. I will support you, listen to you, and meet you where you are, while also encouraging you to take ownership of the changes you want to make. I am best suited to work with clients who are emotionally and physically safe to participate in outpatient therapy and who are able to engage in the therapeutic process. If you are experiencing an immediate crisis or are at significant risk of harming yourself or someone else, a higher level of support may be more appropriate. Most importantly, I value clients who are willing to show up, participate, and work together toward meaningful change.