SAHAR AKHTAR
LPCC, LPC, RYT, INHC
I provide psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety and ADHD. My areas of interest include helping clients who want to become healthy (or healthier) and understand the intersectionality of trauma on their health, behavior and life. I also offer therapy for Depression, Relationships, Spirituality, Body Image, Stress, Identity, Life Transitions, Grief and Adjustment.
I work well with people who are trying to "figure it out". I am well versed in how to work with South Asian, Asian, Arab and Muslim minority cultures.
I offer coaching for clients who do not need therapy but want to work on their health and wellness, improve their relationship with food, or achieve other aspirations in the areas overall wellness be it career, finances, relationships or life.
I take an eastern-western approach to therapy facilitating a connection between intuitions, inner wisdom, and knowledge. I draw from several theories, operating from an integrative lens when working therapeutically with clients from depth psychology, strengths based, mindfulness based, somatic, exposure, narrative, existential and cognitive behavioral therapy.
My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative and compassion focused. I am good at helping people find and strengthen their voice.
Other Languages: Urdu
Licensure & Certifications
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, CA #LPCC9818
Licensed Professional Counselor, PA #PC01070
Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner by AADP
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach by IIN
Registered Yoga Teacher by Yoga Alliance
Education
MSEd. School & Mental Health Counseling, University of Pennsylvania
BSc (Hons.) Psychology, London Metropolitan University, UK
Integrative Health Coaching, The Institute of Integrative Nutrition
Classical Yoga Teacher Training, The YogaLife Institute
Yin and Restorative Yoga, the YogaLife Institute
Psychology was still in its infancy where I grew up. I didn’t really understand what this field was about but I knew I wanted to make my life useful to others. Helping people was a healing feeling for me because I remembered what it felt like to need help and not be able to get it. I also knew that I never wanted anyone to feel this way.
Therapists often find themselves in helping roles within their social circles way before they gain their former credentials. This was certainly true for me- my friends would joke about me being the “school/college’s psychotherapist”.
Becoming a therapist was not a linear process for me. I was very lost, had little career support and no representation. Challenges evolved at every stage but my calling was in this work so I circled back to this even when I was steered in other directions.
I am grateful for my journey and all that brought me here. what is special is that I get to lead from my heart, and call it my job.
What brought me to this profession
Academia
Former Graduate Seminar Leader and Practitioner Consultant for UPenn's Counseling Programs at the graduate school of education.
Assisted with the placement process for practicum and internship as well as managed the schools database and relationships with partnered organizations.
Clinical Supervisor for pre-licensed professionals pursuing licensure status.
Co-led a professional development workshop with Dr. Marsha Richardson & Presented on the topic "Preventing Stress & Teacher Burnout Workshop" for school teachers in the district of Philadelphia which was organized by Philadelphia Education Fund.
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.
Publications
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.)
Long walks around the city, some quiet time,
a good book and yoga.
I was born in San Francisco, raised in Pakistan. I lived and worked in London then moved to Philadelphia where I spent 12 years before circling back to San Francisco in the summer of 2022.
Outside of therapy
Follow me @livebetterwithsahar