LMSW-C, 25 years of experience
**About Me** Hi, I'm a Licensed Clinical Master's Level Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan with over 25 years of experience walking alongside individuals and families as they navigate life’s challenges. I received my master’s degree from Wayne State University and began my career in a multicultural school system before moving into both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings in urban communities. These diverse experiences have allowed me to support adults, children, and older adults facing a wide range of issues including anxiety, ADHD, depression, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, severe mental illness, life transitions, and relationship conflicts. I believe that therapy is most effective when it honors each client’s unique background, core values, and lived experience. I approach every therapeutic relationship with compassion, cultural humility, and respect. Whether you are seeking support for emotional healing, personal growth, or navigating complex family or cultural dynamics, I aim to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and truly heard. Being trilingual in English, Arabic, and Chaldean, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with immigrant and first-generation individuals and families. I understand the emotional complexities of adapting to a new culture while trying to preserve the values of your culture of origin. This dual experience can create internal and relational struggles that are often misunderstood — but in our work together, those experiences will be honored and explored with care and empathy. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and strength-based. I use evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) while tailoring each intervention to fit your specific needs and goals. My aim is not only to support you through your current challenges but to equip you with tools and insights that remain with you after our sessions have ended-and for a lifetime.
What to Expect During Our First Telehealth Mental Health Session Welcome! I want to thank you for taking the step to begin your mental health journey—it takes courage to seek support, and I’m here to walk alongside you in a safe, respectful, and supportive space. Our first session, conducted via telehealth, will primarily serve as an intake and assessment session. This means I’ll be asking a variety of questions to get to know you better—your current challenges, your history, and what has led you to seek therapy at this time. This process allows me to gain a fuller picture of your emotional, psychological, social, and environmental context, which helps us design a treatment approach tailored to your unique needs. 1. Introduction and Building Rapport We'll begin with brief introductions and take some time to get comfortable with each other. I value transparency, empathy, and collaboration, and I’ll do my best to create an atmosphere where you feel safe, heard, and respected. Trust is foundational in therapy, and the therapeutic relationship itself is often a key agent of change—so we’ll also take time to explore any preferences or concerns you have about therapy. 2. Intake and Clinical Assessment This portion includes: A review of your presenting concerns—what brought you here today. Exploration of your mental health history, including previous therapy experiences (if any). Discussion of medical, family, social, and cultural background. Overview of your daily functioning, strengths, supports, and areas of difficulty. An opportunity to set goals for therapy together. Please know that you’re welcome to share only what you feel comfortable sharing—this is your space, and we will move at your pace. 3. Overview of Therapeutic Approaches Depending on your needs, we may draw from several evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): We'll explore the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and identify patterns that may be contributing to distress. CBT involves learning practical skills to challenge negative thinking, manage emotions, and make behavioral changes. Psychoeducation: I believe knowledge is empowering. I’ll provide education about symptoms, diagnoses (if applicable), coping strategies, and tools for emotional regulation so you can better understand and manage your experiences. Culturally Sensitive Therapy: If you are navigating the challenges of cultural identity, immigration, or transitioni
Professional Strengths and Experience Summary With over 25 years of experience as a social worker, I have worked extensively across inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, school systems, and Veterans Services. For the past 15 years, my work with veterans has focused on trauma-informed care, housing, clinical services, and navigating benefits systems. A significant strength of mine is the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, particularly those struggling with cultural transitions. I have supported many clients in navigating the conflict that often arises when adapting to new cultural environments, helping them reconcile differences between core values, beliefs, and new societal expectations. My work has also included counseling families, couples, and children within school systems, where I have assisted in providing essential resources and interventions. This includes supporting parents of children with ADHD by helping them establish effective routines at home and understand school expectations to improve their child’s overall functioning and academic success. Over the last two decades, I have developed a strong ability to identify root causes of challenges facing both adults and children. I collaborate closely with my clients to create well-tailored, individualized treatment plans that lead to measurable and meaningful progress.
My Ideal Client The clients I work best with are those who are truly ready to engage in the process of change—individuals who are open to being heard, validated, and gently challenged in ways that support their healing and growth. My ideal client values the therapeutic relationship and comes to sessions with a willingness to explore their inner world, reflect on patterns, and put in the work outside of our sessions through practices like journaling, mindfulness, or other home-based strategies we co-create together. I am especially drawn to working with adults and children who are navigating emotional and behavioral challenges and who are eager to gain the skills and tools needed to improve their quality of life. Whether you're facing anxiety, trauma, cultural adjustment, or difficulty coping with life transitions, I bring compassion and clarity to help you move forward. Clients often tell me they feel seen and empowered when they receive practical tools that not only support symptom relief but also promote long-term growth and resilience. Together, we’ll create a path toward greater balance, understanding, and emotional freedom—at a pace that feels right for you.
**My Experience with CBT and How I Use It in Practice** As a provider committed to compassionate and evidence-based care, I frequently use **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** to support individuals navigating challenges such as **anxiety, depression, ADHD, and addiction**. CBT is a widely respected therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. What I appreciate most about CBT is that it empowers clients—it’s not just about “talking through problems,” but about developing **practical tools and strategies** that promote long-term emotional health and well-being. **An Empathetic, Empowering Approach to Healing** CBT helps people see the connection between their **thoughts, feelings, and behaviors**. When we’re struggling—whether with persistent worry, low mood, impulsivity, or cravings—our thoughts can become distorted and self-critical. CBT gently challenges these patterns and replaces them with healthier, more balanced ways of thinking. It’s a very **collaborative and compassionate approach**. I always meet clients where they are emotionally and culturally, working at a pace that feels right for them. Many people find comfort in the structure of CBT, especially during periods of overwhelm or uncertainty. Together, we build coping tools that not only relieve current distress but support **ongoing personal growth and resilience**. **Examples of How CBT Can Help** * **Anxiety**: CBT helps individuals identify anxious thoughts like “Something bad is going to happen” and replace them with more grounded, realistic perspectives. We also use relaxation skills and gradual exposure to reduce fear over time. * **Depression**: People struggling with depression often have thoughts like “I’m a failure” or “Nothing will ever change.” CBT helps break the cycle of negative thinking by encouraging small, meaningful actions and reshaping inner self-talk. * **ADHD**: CBT is effective for addressing the **emotional aspects** of ADHD such as low self-esteem, frustration, or shame. It also helps with time management, organization, and developing routines by using **practical, behavior-based strategies**. * **Addiction**: In CBT for addiction, we explore the thought patterns and triggers that lead to substance use. Together, we build a toolkit of alternative coping skills—like grounding techniques, self-soothing, and problem-solving—to stay on the path of recovery. **Why CBT Is So Helpful for Ongoing Healing** One of the most powerful aspects of CBT is that it **teaches lifelong coping skills**. Clients often leave therapy feeling more capable of managing life’s ups and downs on their own. These skills continue to grow over time, supporting not only symptom relief but also deeper healing and self-understanding. Above all, CBT is **hopeful**—it shows that change is possible, even if life has felt stuck or overwhelming for a long time.
I incorporate Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a collaborative and person-centered approach to support clients in making meaningful changes in their lives. MI is designed to enhance a client’s internal motivation by exploring and resolving ambivalence in a compassionate, non-judgmental way. It honors the client’s autonomy while validating their thoughts, feelings, and any resistance they may be experiencing around change. In my practice, I use core MI techniques such as reflective listening, affirmations, and open-ended questions to create a safe and supportive space. I express genuine acceptance of each client’s unique goals and readiness for change, helping them clarify their values and strengthen their commitment to personal growth. This approach empowers clients to move at their own pace and fosters lasting, self-directed change. If you're feeling uncertain or stuck, MI offers a respectful and supportive path forward—I’m here to walk alongside you.
My Experience with Christian Faith-Based Therapy and How I Use It in Practice I offer Christian faith-based therapy to clients who wish to integrate their spiritual beliefs, values, and relationship with God into the counseling process. For many, faith is not just something they practice — it’s part of who they are. It shapes their worldview, influences their choices, and serves as a foundation for how they navigate life’s challenges. In my work, I take time to understand and honor each client’s personal faith journey, including their upbringing, cultural background, and core spiritual values. These elements are often deeply rooted and can influence how individuals experience issues such as anxiety, grief, identity, relationships, or life transitions. I recognize that for many Christians, their connection to God and their faith community is central to their sense of meaning, hope, and healing. My approach is respectful and client-led — some clients may choose to speak openly about their faith, while others may simply want their values to be acknowledged and understood. Whether or not spiritual practices are actively included in our sessions, I aim to create a space where clients feel supported in bringing their whole selves — mind, body, and spirit — into the therapeutic process. Faith-based therapy can be especially meaningful for those who value being seen and supported through the lens of their Christian beliefs. If you are looking for a therapist who will honor your faith background and walk alongside you with compassion and cultural sensitivity, I would be privileged to support you on your journey.
My Experience with Solution-Focused Therapy Over the course of my 25+ years as a social worker and mental health clinician, I have found Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) to be a highly effective approach—especially for clients who are eager to create meaningful change but may feel overwhelmed by their current challenges. Rather than dwelling on problems or past setbacks, SFT empowers individuals to tap into their own strengths and envision a future where their concerns are more manageable or resolved. In my practice, I use Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients identify clear, realistic, and achievable goals, and then work collaboratively to discover practical steps toward those goals. This approach is especially helpful for clients who are feeling stuck or hopeless, because it shifts the focus toward what is already working, even in small ways, and builds on those existing successes. For example, with both adults and children, I often explore moments when the problem was less intense or absent, and ask strength-based questions such as: “What’s different on the days when things go a little better?” “What would be the first small sign that things are improving?” “What strengths have helped you get through challenges before?” By highlighting a person’s own resources and encouraging forward movement, this approach builds confidence, motivation, and hope—key ingredients in long-term healing and growth. While I integrate SFT as part of a broader, individualized treatment plan—which may include CBT, trauma-informed care, or psychoeducation—it remains a core tool in my work with clients who are ready to set goals, take action, and celebrate progress, one step at a time.