"True success is the predictable result of hard work, patience, sacrifice & learning put into practice everyday." - Unknown
Hey there! Thank you for sliding on past my profile and the above quote is essential to not only my mindset in how I approach everyday as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) but also how I want to assist in creating a space for my clients. I am currently based in Pennsylvania & have over 10 years of experience working with an array of clients. I have helped many from young adults to older adults take a deep dive within themselves to challenge thoughts, perspectives and beliefs that create a mental and emotional limitation on becoming a more empowered and improved version of themselves. My goal is to respectfully challenge and guide clientele to look within themselves since they are the best expert on their own life and choices so that they can discover the innate skills and abilities that can take them to higher heights within their situations and lives.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, I want my clients to know that I am not & far from the "cliche" or "robot therapist" they may have had in the past or seen on TV or movies. The main focus of my practice is to establish the HUMAN connection and rapport between therapist & client no matter what they may have come to my practice for. My firm belief is that it is my absolute job to treat every client with the respect of a human being who has dreams, goals, ambitions, likes, dislikes, successes and failures rather than just another case number or paycheck. I want my clientele to know and understand that I will always respect their experience and journey but I will also RESPECTFULLY challenge and hold all parties accountable in order to guide and spark up growth and true change.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My true strengths as a therapist is always remaining true to myself but also understanding that I do not have all the answers. Many clients come to therapy for many exploratory items, mainly looking for answers from the therapist but in reality, I believe that the client is the greatest expert on themselves so I use my skill set and experience to help empower clients to build a solution focused plan in order to improve their mindset, perspectives and situation. Identifying the issue and then developing a plan to tackle the issue within a realistic "baby step" goal progress is key to empowering the world, one client at a time.
About Jamil Akil
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is a therapeutical approach that I use with clientele to allow for coping with their current situations and emotions that life may bring. Over the years, I have helped clients not only discover but learn to address the emotions, thoughts and situations that are taking place in a positive manner. The ultimate goal is to provide clients with the mindset and inner ability to manage and control their emotions in the hopes of the execution of more rationalized thinking towards life's adventures.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My experience with using the approach of CBT with clientele has allowed me to join clients on their personal self-exploration journey to help them realize that their thoughts, feelings, sensations whether they be physical or emotional have a direct impact on repeated behavior cycles. My aim is to help clients "break the chain" of repeated behavior cycles that are continuously contributing to the negative mindset and aspects of the client's situation.
Couples Counseling
Relationships are a very delicate and complex situation at times and I am here to utilize my expertise and skill set to help couples explore the positive along with the negative aspects that each respected party may or may not realize that is affecting their current relationship. The goal is to always respectfully challenge perspectives, mindsets and hold a space for accountability in order to inspire growth and compromise between couples at all times.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
We as human beings are comprised and shaped by our development, experiences, culture and society. With taking this into account, culturally sensitve therapy is essential for true and effective connection between therapist and client. As an African American therapist, I believe that it is and always has been extremely important for me to provide a platform that challenges social norms, ideas and systematic limitations that are set up to not honor, respect and promote diversity of client's of other racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. My practice aims to provide a safe, respected and validated space for everyone no matter what life has thrown your way.
Faith based therapy
As a Muslim therapist, it would be my honor to connect with clientele who may be Muslim or interested in the religion of Islam with the hopes of allowing me to collaborate and use Islam as a faith based foundation/resource to provide a sense of recentering and refocus during times of need. The religion of Islam provides many peaceful opportunities to explore the true self, soul and signs of God all around us and combining the example of The Quran and Sunnah along with a space to discuss interpersonal issues, I look to not only help my clientele grow emotionally, mentally and spiritually but also serve Almighty God with my skill set.
