MSEd, LPCC, LPC, INHC, RYT
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, CA #LPCC9818
Licensed Professional Counselor, PA #PC010170 Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach 250 Hr Certified Yoga Instructor Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 480-5264 Therapeutic Orientation: Humanistic | Emotion Focused | Depth Psychology | Eastern-Western Practices | Cognitive Behavior | Dialectical Behavior | Behavior Therapy | Trauma Focused | Health Coaching |
Specialty Areas
I am a Trauma, Anxiety and Wellness Specialist. I work with clients who experienced trauma from childhood, sexual assaults, war and racial trauma.
I also works with people who want to work on: Stress Management, Burn Out, Eating Behaviors, Relationship with Food, Body Image, Adjustment, Depression, Loss, ADHD, Relationships and Dating, Social Anxiety, Coping Strategies, Identity, Life Transitions, Spirituality, Confidence, Self Esteem
I also works with people who want to work on: Stress Management, Burn Out, Eating Behaviors, Relationship with Food, Body Image, Adjustment, Depression, Loss, ADHD, Relationships and Dating, Social Anxiety, Coping Strategies, Identity, Life Transitions, Spirituality, Confidence, Self Esteem
Therapy Style
I take an eastern-western approach to therapy facilitating a connection between intuitions, inner wisdom, and knowledge. My trainings in holistic health and complementary medicine have helped clients avoid medication as their first course of intervention and manage symptoms naturally. Where medications are warranted, I encourage, educate and help clients with hesitations if any to become advocates and participants in their care.
My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative and compassion focused. I want my clients to feel comfortable to share openly, feel heard, and explore without the fear of being judged. I am good at helping people find and strengthen their voice. People who work with me can expect to feel empowered.
I take an eastern-western approach to therapy facilitating a connection between intuitions, inner wisdom, and knowledge. My trainings in holistic health and complementary medicine have helped clients avoid medication as their first course of intervention and manage symptoms naturally. Where medications are warranted, I encourage, educate and help clients with hesitations if any to become advocates and participants in their care.
My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative and compassion focused. I want my clients to feel comfortable to share openly, feel heard, and explore without the fear of being judged. I am good at helping people find and strengthen their voice. People who work with me can expect to feel empowered.
Experience and Trainings
I have specialty trainings in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) from Behavior Tech, A Linehan Institute, Behavior Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I also completed specialty trainings in Domestic Violence, Hospice Care, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Intellectual Developmental Delay (IDD). I completed year long certifications in nutrition, integrative health and yoga.
I have been working in the mental health field since 2008 and have been a psychotherapist for over 10 years. I have experience of working with various populations with different challenges and mental health disorders across the developmental lifespan (ages 5 to 70) as well as experience of working in different settings such as residential treatment centers, urban and suburban schools, private and public as well as home and community.
For five years I facilitated groups for a non-profit organization called SpeakUp, where I helped adolescents and the adults in their lives communicate effectively on controversial topics such as: Drugs and Alcohol, Stress and Mental Health, Sex and Relationships, Pressure and Expectations, Race, Diversity and Inclusion.
I used to be licensed as a Behavior Specialist in PA and worked as a Consultant for children and adolescents receiving wraparound services. This license is now inactive as I no longer work as a behaviorist nor live in PA. I have worked with families as a Mental Health Specialist Consultant and with adolescents who received Advanced Clinical Services for School Refusal and Truancy Issues.
I was certified as a PK-12 School Counselor in PA. I trained at Beaumont Elementary School, Tredyffrin/Easttown School District in Berwyn, PA and at Great Valley High School in Malvern, PA. I interned at Devereux's Residential Treatment Center with adolescents and adults with acute mental health disorders, and Kingdom Recovery helping people challenged with addictions.
I have been a volunteer as a Domestic Violence Counselor where I also assisted people with options counseling and the process of obtaining Protection From Abuse at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, PA. I also volunteered for The Son-Rise Program working with children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder and with inpatient patients who have Dementia or under Hospice Care at a Senior Assistance Facility in Pottstown, PA.
I have specialty trainings in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) from Behavior Tech, A Linehan Institute, Behavior Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I also completed specialty trainings in Domestic Violence, Hospice Care, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Intellectual Developmental Delay (IDD). I completed year long certifications in nutrition, integrative health and yoga.
I have been working in the mental health field since 2008 and have been a psychotherapist for over 10 years. I have experience of working with various populations with different challenges and mental health disorders across the developmental lifespan (ages 5 to 70) as well as experience of working in different settings such as residential treatment centers, urban and suburban schools, private and public as well as home and community.
For five years I facilitated groups for a non-profit organization called SpeakUp, where I helped adolescents and the adults in their lives communicate effectively on controversial topics such as: Drugs and Alcohol, Stress and Mental Health, Sex and Relationships, Pressure and Expectations, Race, Diversity and Inclusion.
I used to be licensed as a Behavior Specialist in PA and worked as a Consultant for children and adolescents receiving wraparound services. This license is now inactive as I no longer work as a behaviorist nor live in PA. I have worked with families as a Mental Health Specialist Consultant and with adolescents who received Advanced Clinical Services for School Refusal and Truancy Issues.
I was certified as a PK-12 School Counselor in PA. I trained at Beaumont Elementary School, Tredyffrin/Easttown School District in Berwyn, PA and at Great Valley High School in Malvern, PA. I interned at Devereux's Residential Treatment Center with adolescents and adults with acute mental health disorders, and Kingdom Recovery helping people challenged with addictions.
I have been a volunteer as a Domestic Violence Counselor where I also assisted people with options counseling and the process of obtaining Protection From Abuse at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, PA. I also volunteered for The Son-Rise Program working with children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder and with inpatient patients who have Dementia or under Hospice Care at a Senior Assistance Facility in Pottstown, PA.
Academia, Workshops and Publication
I was a Graduate Seminar Leader and Practitioner Consultant for UPenn's Counseling Programs. I also assisted with the placement process for practicum and internship as well as managed the schools database and relationships with partnered organizations.
I have been a Clinical Supervisor for pre-licensed professionals pursuing licensure status in PA and CA.
I co-led a workshop with Dr. Marsha Richardson on the topic "Preventing Stress & Teacher Burnout Workshop" for school teachers in the district of Philadelphia which was organized by Philadelphia Education Fund.
I was invited to author a chapter for Education and Youth Development in Pakistan which was published in the Adolescent Psychology in today's world: global perspectives on risk volume series.
During my undergraduate studies my research for my dissertation project focused on studying Smoking Motivation in Young Adults. Behaviors were studied in relation to Generalized Anxiety, Trait Anxiety and Self-Efficacy.
I was a Graduate Seminar Leader and Practitioner Consultant for UPenn's Counseling Programs. I also assisted with the placement process for practicum and internship as well as managed the schools database and relationships with partnered organizations.
I have been a Clinical Supervisor for pre-licensed professionals pursuing licensure status in PA and CA.
I co-led a workshop with Dr. Marsha Richardson on the topic "Preventing Stress & Teacher Burnout Workshop" for school teachers in the district of Philadelphia which was organized by Philadelphia Education Fund.
I was invited to author a chapter for Education and Youth Development in Pakistan which was published in the Adolescent Psychology in today's world: global perspectives on risk volume series.
During my undergraduate studies my research for my dissertation project focused on studying Smoking Motivation in Young Adults. Behaviors were studied in relation to Generalized Anxiety, Trait Anxiety and Self-Efficacy.
![Picture](/uploads/5/3/6/4/53647229/editor/img-9935.jpg?250)
Akhtar, S., Sarfaraz, Z. & Suheyl, M. (2018). Understanding the Plight of Pakistan's Education System and its Impact on Youth Development. In Nakkula, M. J., & Schneider-MuñozA, Adolescent psychology in today’s world : global perspectives on risk, relationships, and development. (Vol 3.)
Education
Masters of Science in Education (2015) School and Mental Health Counseling, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors of Science, Honors (2008) Psychology, London Metropolitan University, UK
Dissertation Topic: "Smoking Motivation in Young Adults: Generalized Anxiety vs Trait Anxiety and Self Efficacy"
Masters of Science in Education (2015) School and Mental Health Counseling, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors of Science, Honors (2008) Psychology, London Metropolitan University, UK
Dissertation Topic: "Smoking Motivation in Young Adults: Generalized Anxiety vs Trait Anxiety and Self Efficacy"
About Sahar
Sahar was born in San Francisco and raised in Pakistan. She lived in London then moved to Philadelphia where she spent 12 years before circling back to San Francisco in 2022. She enjoys going to the gym, being in nature, yoga and spending time with her friends & family. She also loves to learn new things, be creative and read. Sahar enjoys writing, organizing, creating systems and hosting.
Languages
Urdu, Hindi; Understands Punjabi & Hindko
Urdu, Hindi; Understands Punjabi & Hindko