Muslim Therapists in New York

My approach to therapy is highly client-centered, decolonial, and culturally informed. I am excited to work with my clients towards their goals, whatever they may be! As a Sudanese, Muslim therapist and ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am passionate about welcoming clients’ various identities and their personal significance into the therapeutic space.

My goal is to help shift mindsets and help navigate the discussion as to why caring for your mental health is just as imperative as your physical health. It can be difficult to begin the journey of therapy, talk about our traumas, and make the connections needed to begin our healing process. As your therapist, I will ensure that a safe, non-judgmental space is created so you can be equipped with the tools to live your most fulfilling life. I strive to help my clients find peace, comfort, and self-love that will guide them through life in a meaningful way.

I am a Black Muslim woman from New York. I have a limited permit in Creative Arts Therapy. I have worked with populations such as inpatient psych, geriatrics, families in homeless shelters, rehab patients, and individuals who are victims of domestic violence. I have gained these experiences with various populations through my work as a crisis counselor, mental health worker, and case manager in my past career. I currently work with families recommended by the ACS system as a Child Parent Psychotherapist.

The struggles many of us face today can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and hopelessness. Even with the various uncontrollable factors that impact each of our lives, we have a tendency to blame ourselves for our emotional experiences. My goal as your therapist is to hold a supportive and compassionate space for you to process and heal your emotional wounds.

Therapy is more than just a conversation. It is a guided process of conscious learning and unlearning to actively work in finding the root of your pain. The process may be difficult, but I vow to hold space with you as we move through that discomfort into a place of growth and contentment. Utilizing Emotional Focused Therapy & Narrative Therapy, I work with my clients in individual and couples therapy to help them find power in their own narrative, identify their deeper emotional experiences, and rewrite their stories.

Trial and error was the foundation of getting through life obstacles, no matter the intensity of it. Big, serious decisions seemed to be something that I just had to pray about and move through them not factoring in reality. At times leaving me in a pit of feelings of sadness, loneliness, and anger. Trial and error shouldn't be the only way to get through life.

Therapy is a sacred space for you to process difficult emotions. My clinical approach is for clients to create meaning and purpose in life through reshaping the narrative of painful experiences and re-connecting to their internal strengths. Through changing self-talk, old attachment patterns, and building self-esteem, we can cultivate new neural pathways to allow you to flourish. I use a variety of cognitive and somatic approaches, including CBT, ACT, IFS, and EMDR, to aid you in your healing journey. My hope is to offer you a space to be heard, loved, and celebrated for your authentic self.

Accepting new clients in TX & NY! - Are you struggling with your identity or traumas? Do you need help managing the multiple stressors in your life? Or maybe your anxiety is getting the best of you and you want to improve communication in your relationships? Acknowledging that you need help is the first step, so I'm glad you're here. I know firsthand how daunting it can be to reach out, and I hope you know how brave you are. If you're ready to make a change, or even if you're on the fence, I would love to see if we're a good fit for one another.

About Mona El-Shahat, LMHC, NCC. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who believes therapy is a collaborative journey. I take a person-centered, holistic, empathetic and culturally sensitive approach to help clients work towards achieving their goals. I operate from a multicultural lens and utilize a client-centered, trauma informed approach in my work. I provide a confidential, open-minded and supportive space where you will feel seen, heard and understood. Through this collaborative journey we will work on setting and meeting your goals.

I specialize providing therapy for women who are Arab/Asian American or people of color. I am a first-generation Muslim Arab American, born and raised in NYC. In my early years and adulthood, accessing resources and services that felt inclusive and culturally sensitive was challenging. My own journey in healing has sparked a desire to provide culturally sensitive care to people from all walks of life.

Steeped in 18 years of heart and hustle, my journey began in 2002, fresh out of Hunter College with a master's degree in social work. Since then, I've walked alongside a beautiful mix of people: the spirited youth, busy adults, and our cherished elderly. Whether it's guiding teenagers through their roller-coaster years, helping adults navigate life's twists and turns, calming the storms of ADHD, offering a safe harbor to those facing anxiety or depression, or standing strong with survivors of domestic violence, I’m there — steady, understanding, and ready to help.

As a Mental Health Advocate, I give speeches all over the nation to reduce stigma around Mental Health and encourage people to seek professional counseling, rather than “just talking to a friend about it or not talk about their problems at all”. As a Pakistani, Muslim immigrant who came to America with no knowledge of mental health, I understand how the confusion of identities, societal pressure to fit in and cultural differences can create emotional turmoil. Being in the mental health field for over 7 years, has allowed me to evolve as a Mental Health public speaker, who helps those with anxiety, depression and suicidal ideations,

Reaching out to a therapist can feel overwhelming and incredibly vulnerable - I’ve been there too. I remember the anxiety and self-doubt in asking for help. I also remember the therapist who helped me through some of the most difficult seasons of my life. I believe healing happens through relationships. When we can share all parts of ourselves with another and be truly seen. Witnessed. Understood. The messy, the dark, the confusing and the seemingly unlovable. All parts of you are welcome here. You don’t have to do it alone, I would be honored and humbled to join you.

While I love my work with all human experiences, I have specific insight and interest in working with members of the Muslim community. I provide individual and couples therapy and have special sensitivity to the culture, dynamics and nuances of an Islamic lifestyle in Western society. I work with clients who are dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, intimacy challenges and navigating the professional world. In addition, I have special insight into intersectionality and what it means to have multiple identities. I work with clients who seek to incorporate and process their experience as an intersectional person.

It can feel daunting to begin therapy. You may know you are struggling with your relationships, work, or personal fulfillment yet it can feel difficult to seek help. In my practice, I will work with you in a safe space to explore and address the difficulties the prevent you from living a fulfilling life. I utilize eclectic approaches including psychodynamic, relational, existential, and attachment-based theories. You can learn more about my practice at www.hattabtherapy.com

With today's societal norms and stigmas, so many of us are hurt, misunderstood, rejected, outcasted, and isolated to the point that we often become hesitant to seek out help. Over 11 years of clinical experience and treating hundreds of diverse patients, I have learned as human beings we all want the same thing: to be seen, heard, supported, accepted, connected, appreciated, and loved. So here I am; ready, willing, and committed to breaking through barriers with you - by offering a listening ear for your story and a safe space where we can explore, freely and authentically, without bias and without judgment.

I am a dedicated and highly skilled therapist with over ten years of experience in the field of mental health. I am passionate about helping individuals achieve lasting positive change in their lives. I create a warm, non-judgmental, and empathetic space to explore challenges, uncover strengths, and create a brighter future for my clients. I work with individuals who are experiencing life transitions including parenthood, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma and work/life stress. I also work with couples going through communication, transitions and other issues.

Wherever you are in your life’s journey, you don’t have to go through it alone. It can be challenging to understand why we are going through a difficulty in our life, but more importantly, it can be difficult to identify our own needs during these times. As a trained Art Therapist, I utilize talk therapy along with creative self-expression. I work from an intersectional and social justice framework, and as a female therapist of color I am committed to validating personal experiences and intersections of identity including race, ethnicity, and gender.

New parenthood can be one of the most fulfilling and challenging life changes one will ever face. If you are currently pregnant, up to two years postpartum, or a new parent that's struggling, you've come to the right place. Maha's practice focuses on treating the unique needs of the perinatal population. With nearly 8 years of experience in the helping profession as an experienced social worker, Maha has worked with a variety of populations in the hospital setting. She has extensive experience working with individuals facing issues with work/life balance, relationships, chronic illness, and more.