I believe that we have the innate ability to heal from past wounds, and the symptoms we have are clues about where to begin that process. I offer a gentle, collaborative and affirming space to access and work through past events, however they show up, and no matter what you have been through. I specialize in working with people who have experienced interpersonal traumas (childhood abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, abusive relationships). I pay attention to the ways in which issues of identity may impact your experience, using an intersectional and anti-oppression lens.

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I have also worked with many people who want a space to explore their values, identity, and relationships. They might be exploring their sexual identity, asexuality, or polyamorous relationships, deciding whether to become a parent or dealing with fertility issues. Or they might be grappling with diaspora, third-culture, and a sense of not belonging. I offer a space to unpack what you are feeling and parse out what you want versus what society or your family or partner(s) expect of you. 

I bring a somatic focus to talk therapy and trauma processing. I am certified in EMDR, with additional training in brainspotting and sensorimotor psychotherapy, all of which help your nervous system resolve past traumas. Many people I work with have worked hard in talk therapy to process the past but continue to perpetuate old patterns of behavior, find themselves stuck in the same thought loops, or feel emotionally charged as if they are re-experiencing the past. We can work together to get you unstuck.

I am interested in holistic wellbeing, and think about how physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health are all connected. I'm trained as a yoga teacher with advanced training in restorative yoga and yoga nidra (yogic sleep). I have training as well in nutritional and integrative medicine for mental health. I am also a reiki practitioner and energy healer and community herbalist.

I studied pscyhology in undergrad and received my Masters in Social Work in 2012 from Smith College, a psychodynamically focused clinical program, where I provided therapy in my field placements 35 hours a week. I also interned with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination committee, and completed anti-racism coursework. After graduation, I worked for several years providing case management, crisis response, support in hospital and legal settings, and on hotlines, with survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, domestic violence and other crimes. I moved to Denver where I worked for several years providing individual and group talk therapy as well as therapeutic yoga groups for survivors of sexual trauma. I moved back to DC in 2017 and have been in private practice since. 

In addition to my clinical work, I have done clinical research on the efficacy of trauma sensitive yoga groups for survivors of sexual trauma with PTSD symptoms, and I teach at the University of Maryland School of Social Work MSW program.

I am a bi Arab-American, born and raised in DC. In addition to being a therapist and healer, I'm a poet and writer. I'm a creative person and enjoy watercolor painting, collage, dancing. I sing in a barbershop chorus. I enjoy tarot and astrology and recently, reality TV. I also love the beach, boba, reading, and laughing with friends. I have two cuddly cats who have a knack for appearing in virtual sessions, especially when someone is moving through something especially challenging, or when we're at the end of our session.