I’m Mariam Saibu, a somatic mental health therapist specializing in women’s mental health and the unique ways trauma, stress, and mood challenges show up in both mind and body. My goal is to create a supportive and empowering space where you can begin to heal, grow, and reconnect with yourself. I hold a Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and maintain specialized licenses in trauma, addiction, and vocational counseling. Over the years, I’ve worked in inpatient, outpatient, and state agency settings, providing care for children, adolescents, and adults. These experiences gave me the opportunity to treat a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, self-esteem struggles, substance use, and career transitions. I have also supported individuals on the autism spectrum in building social and behavioral skills to thrive in both employment and relationships. While I have worked with diverse populations, my passion lies in supporting women—particularly those navigating trauma, mood dysregulation, and life changes. I am licensed to practice in Georgia and Texas. I integrate my background in both biology and counseling to take a holistic approach to care. By weaving together somatic practices with evidence-based therapies, I help clients address how trauma and stress impact the body as well as the mind. In our work together, you can expect compassion, collaboration, and respect. My role is to walk alongside you, providing tools and insight to help you move forward while creating a safe environment for growth. Whether you’re seeking to manage trauma, improve mood and self-esteem, or find clarity in life’s transitions, I am here to support you in creating meaningful, lasting change.
Your first session will be a thorough assessment designed to help us understand you as a whole person—biologically, physically, and psychologically. We’ll explore your history, trace where some of the difficulties may have started, and begin identifying goals you’d like to work toward in future sessions. This session is also about building a strong therapeutic alliance. You’ll have the chance to get to know me, my approach, and how I work. Equally important, I’ll be learning about your unique communication style, preferences, and what makes you feel most supported. The first session is not about rushing into solutions, but rather about creating a safe, collaborative foundation for our work together. By the end, we’ll have a clearer picture of your needs and a shared plan to guide your healing process.
What sets me apart as a therapist is my ability to integrate mind–body healing with evidence-based practices, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of my clients. As a somatic therapist, I focus on embodiment techniques that help clients not only process trauma cognitively but also release the ways it lives in the body. This allows for deeper, more sustainable healing. I am also trained in EMDR, DBT, ACT, and other eclectic approaches, which gives me the flexibility to adapt therapy to your goals, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model. My strength lies in identifying the unhealthy control mechanisms that keep clients feeling stuck, then guiding them toward healthier, more effective actions that create a meaningful life. Clients often share that my approach feels both compassionate and challenging—providing the support they need while also encouraging growth and change. I strive to create a therapeutic space that is safe, nonjudgmental, and empowering, where clients can explore vulnerability while building resilience. Additionally, my background as a Certified Trauma Specialist and my training in veteran-focused care allow me to work effectively with clients facing complex trauma, mood disorders, life transitions, and diverse cultural or medical challenges. Whether in-person or through telehealth, I meet clients where they are and walk alongside them in their healing journey. Ultimately, my greatest strength is my commitment to seeing each client as a whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and helping them reclaim balance, stability, and confidence in their lives.
I am best positioned to support clients who feel overwhelmed by their emotions and are seeking practical, effective ways to regain a sense of control in their daily lives. Many of the individuals I work with experience anxiety, stress, mood instability, or difficulty regulating emotional responses, and may feel stuck in patterns such as rumination, impulsivity, or emotional shutdown. My approach is especially helpful for clients who are open to exploring the connection between the mind and body. Through somatic therapy, I help clients develop awareness of how emotions and stress manifest physically, and teach them how to slow down, ground themselves, and respond more intentionally. This is particularly beneficial for those who feel constantly on edge, reactive, or disconnected from themselves. In addition, I integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to provide clients with concrete coping skills. I support clients in building emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills that can be applied in real-life situations. The goal is not just to understand these tools in session, but to use them effectively outside of therapy when challenges arise. I work well with individuals who are willing to adopt a growth mindset and engage in the process of change. This includes being open to self-reflection, practicing new skills, and viewing setbacks as part of learning rather than failure. I emphasize progress over perfection and encourage clients to build confidence through consistent effort. Ultimately, my goal is to help clients become more independent in managing their mental health. I support them in developing the awareness, skills, and self-trust needed to navigate emotions, relationships, and stressors with greater resilience and confidence beyond the therapy space.
EMDR
I utilize EMDR to help patients process traumatic memories and presenting life isues.
Somatic
Through this therapy, clients learn to notice body signals, release stored tension, and regulate emotions. Techniques can include breathing exercises, movement, touch, or awareness practices to help process trauma safely and feel more grounded.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help clients build psychological flexibility by clarifying values, increasing present-moment awareness, and changing their relationship to difficult thoughts and emotions rather than trying to eliminate them.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
My approach to DBT focuses on introducing practical skills in four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness . DBT is especially effective for emotional dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, and trauma-related struggles.