The classic answer you hear when you ask someone why they chose this line of work is that they want to help people. And, while that sounds generic or mediocre it is the first decision I made, at the young age of 12, to push me into choosing a fulfilling career. As I grew up my love for understanding people, creating connections, and making a difference in people’s lives became my drive in deciding that I want to be a mental health counselor.

I began my research into mental health while I was an undergrad at the University of North Texas majoring in psychology and researching neurofeedback and how sleep can affect your cognitive reactions. The science was fascinating, but I wanted more authentic relationships with the people I was speaking to. The biggest drive toward my career in counseling is my desire to want to stop all the horrible things in the world that happen to people. However, I know I am not a superhero, and even superheroes can’t save everyone. So, with counseling, I can try to help people heal, create life-long coping skills, and model a healthy and positive relationship.

After attending Texas Woman’s University for graduate school, I found that I have a passion for working with people from all different cultural backgrounds; especially people from middle eastern cultures as I also identify as an Arab-American Muslim. I have worked with teens, adults, and people living with depression, anxiety, abusive relationships, grief, and many more. I get asked every day if I love my work and my answer is always yes.