I view the therapy process as a journey that could at times be exhausting, but it will open new doors and horizons to our internal and external worlds. I believe in a holistic approach that takes into consideration the spectrum of sociopolitical and cultural factors that impact our experiences, and the intersecting spaces in which they take place; personal, family, class, race, and gender. I strive to be an effective therapist who creates a safe space to understand the complexity of personal and collective experiences. I deploy practical and theoretical tools, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, to understand what takes place inside and how to move forward to treat anxiety, trauma, among others.
My journey started as a young girl in historic Palestine where psychotherapy was a luxury at best, or inaccessible and underappreciated. I studied and worked in many cities, including Jerusalem, Berlin, and New York. I learned the hard way what it means to be internally and externally exiled, to be an immigrant and to hail from a people living under colonialism. I also learned how to dig amid the rubble to find hope, shake off loneliness, and feel at home in one’s World.
My professional experience in other fields, as a journalist and novelist, and my extensive interaction with various cultures, informs and enriches my approach. Our relationship is one of most important pillars for successful therapy. Humor, art, and literary references are additional tools that I use for inspiration and to deal with challenges. Despite the pain, therapy can be a journey of discovery that brings joy. I provide therapy in Arabic & English.