Welcome to Live Better Counseling
We are a Psychotherapy Private Practice offering Individual and Group Counseling to Adults in California, Pennsylvania and Internationally. We provide services In Person and by Video.
People who come see us envision something better for themselves
but need help getting there
but need help getting there
We believe that people can live better. We have hope for everyone we work with, and witness growth as we begin to work with them. This is the first step in therapy- being hopeful for something better, and working with a professional who believes in their capabilities to help you live better.
Our History
Live Better was established in 2015 by Sahar Akhtar. We opened our first office in Frazer, Pennsylvania and then expanded to University City, Philadelphia. These offices are now closed as we moved to San Francisco during summer of 2022.
Our new business name is Live Better Counseling. We are excited to be here!
When we first started our practice we worked with all ages across the developmental lifespan- children, adolescents, adults. Now we focus on providing therapy to adults only.
Our new business name is Live Better Counseling. We are excited to be here!
When we first started our practice we worked with all ages across the developmental lifespan- children, adolescents, adults. Now we focus on providing therapy to adults only.
Who We Work With
While we work with adults from all backgrounds and ages, we specialize in challenges faced by individuals in their 20s and 30s- higher education students and young working professionals. This developmental stage comes with unique challenges that we have expertise to help with. We also have specialties in working with Asian, BIPOC, LGBTQAI+ and Muslim communities.
We take pride in the fact that our clients approach us for our strengths in cultural competency. We want everyone who comes to us to feel comfortable, respected but most importantly- Understood. Cultural knowledge is an important layer to our clients and the work we do with them. We have experience working with clients from various cultures including- Pakistani, Indian, Turkish, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, Taiwanese, Ethiopian, Brazilian, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Polish, Egyptian, Moroccan, Japanese, Vietnamese, and more. Our Bilingual therapists can speak Urdu, Hindi and understand Punjabi and Hindko.
Regardless of your age, race, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, sex, documentation status-
you have the right to be here and we welcome all of you here.
We take pride in the fact that our clients approach us for our strengths in cultural competency. We want everyone who comes to us to feel comfortable, respected but most importantly- Understood. Cultural knowledge is an important layer to our clients and the work we do with them. We have experience working with clients from various cultures including- Pakistani, Indian, Turkish, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, Taiwanese, Ethiopian, Brazilian, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Polish, Egyptian, Moroccan, Japanese, Vietnamese, and more. Our Bilingual therapists can speak Urdu, Hindi and understand Punjabi and Hindko.
Regardless of your age, race, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, sex, documentation status-
you have the right to be here and we welcome all of you here.
Long-term Relationship, But...
Short-term Therapy
Short-term Therapy
When client's establish a therapeutic relationship with us during this stage of their lives they benefit from processing challenges pertaining to pre-adult life and emerging adult-life. When they come back to us in other stages of their lives they don't have to explain their whole life to us again, and there is continuity from our previous work. Sometimes our client's return for a single session while other's come back to us with a new life challenge.
As your Life Changes- We Remain your Constant
People are in therapy for as long as they need to be. Our approach is effective and empowering. We don't want you to be in therapy for longer than you need to be. On average people start to feel a difference by 16 to 20 sessions- this does not mean they cannot arrive there sooner. Everyone is different and in some cases we may need more time together especially in circumstances where people take more time to build trust or feel less shame. Generally, you can expect to be in therapy for about 3 to 6 months. We start with weekly sessions and then when it makes sense to reduce we will move to a bi-weekly or monthly schedule.
As your Life Changes- We Remain your Constant
People are in therapy for as long as they need to be. Our approach is effective and empowering. We don't want you to be in therapy for longer than you need to be. On average people start to feel a difference by 16 to 20 sessions- this does not mean they cannot arrive there sooner. Everyone is different and in some cases we may need more time together especially in circumstances where people take more time to build trust or feel less shame. Generally, you can expect to be in therapy for about 3 to 6 months. We start with weekly sessions and then when it makes sense to reduce we will move to a bi-weekly or monthly schedule.
Getting Started
If you are ready to start therapy the first step would be to Request a 15 minute Initial Consultation. Our therapist will reach out to you to coordinate a time to meet by video. We use a video platform that is compliant with HIPAA law. You will receive a link and instructions to join via the email address you provide to us. During this appointment you may share experiences with past therapy or therapists, share briefly what is bringing you to therapy so that your therapist can make sure they have the expertise to help you with the concerns bringing you here, ask questions and coordinate a time for future meetings should you wish to proceed with the therapist.
Once you let your therapist know you are interested to start they will send you an invitation to join our client portal. This comes to you via the email address you provide to us. When you sign on you will see a space to update demographic and billing information. Fill this out and then click on the left hand corner where you can review and sign off on consent forms. Please have this completed at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
During your first appointment, you can expect your therapist to ask you questions about your life to obtain a history and understand more about you as well as your presenting challenges. At the end of this process you would begin therapy- explore and process the concerns brought into therapy and/or the agreed upon focus areas discussed with you after our assessment.
Once you let your therapist know you are interested to start they will send you an invitation to join our client portal. This comes to you via the email address you provide to us. When you sign on you will see a space to update demographic and billing information. Fill this out and then click on the left hand corner where you can review and sign off on consent forms. Please have this completed at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
During your first appointment, you can expect your therapist to ask you questions about your life to obtain a history and understand more about you as well as your presenting challenges. At the end of this process you would begin therapy- explore and process the concerns brought into therapy and/or the agreed upon focus areas discussed with you after our assessment.