Mehak Hafeez (She/Her/Hers)

Exposures to traumas often reshape our bio-psycho-social development and functioning despite our developmental stage we are in. Experiences and impact of traumas vary person to person. Experiencing traumas can trigger symptoms such as numbing, avoidance, dissociation, low self-esteem, difficulty with attachments, to name a few. I often support and treat trauma related symptoms through integrative approaches including Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing and Narrative approach.

Experiencing transitions such as immigration and acculturation is often overwhelming especially when stepping into a whole new world of lifestyle. Migration can trigger our evolutionary instincts such as the need to "survive". In that instance, we often experience grief, anxiety with dual-identity, to name a few. I address the importance of honoring the transitions, accepting our experiences, and developing skills in deep diving to learn more about ourselves in a new environment.

Our socio-political systems continue to perpetuate the cycle of segregation, inequality, and injustice by limiting the diversity and inclusivity for the oppressed such as community members of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, faith-based, to name a few. Oppressions in our systems greatly affect and continue inter/trans generational traumas. As a clinician of color, I highly value, and encourage empowerment approaches in therapy such as self-advocacy, decolonizing systems, and healing through liberation.

Often our core beliefs about ourselves dictate our behaviors by affecting our emotions. During sessions, I assist the client in exploring, identifying and verbalizing core beliefs that they have developed about themselves during their development. I encourage the client's autonomy in exploring and identifying how are these beliefs serving us. It is truly essential part of healing in understanding the relationship between thoughts, emotions and behaviors pertaining to our life experiences.

Feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and worried about our engagements with life can be limiting and encourage behavioral and cognitive patterns that further creates a barrier in living at our optimal. Exposure therapy

In providing support to individuals experiencing distress, it is important to utilize various therapeutic approaches in better understanding and guiding the client in exploring their emotional needs.

In providing support to individuals experiencing distress, it is important to utilize various therapeutic approaches in better understanding and guiding the client in exploring their emotional needs. A single therapeutic approach may work with less complex issues; however, in understanding an human being experiencing complex traumas, I find it essential to integrate various therapeutic approaches such as dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, to name a few.

I have come to learn and believe that the most essential aspect of healing is the client themselves as a healer. I utilize person-centered approach in understanding the clients through their lenses and the way they paint their scenery. It allows for openness, vulnerability, and most importantly, genuine empathy. As a practitioner of person-centered approach, I have benefitted in understanding the client in their most authentic selves.