Taqwa Abdallah, Resident in Counseling

I am a pre-licensed professional in the state of VA under the supervision of Sharon Watson. I am passionate about helping individuals from diverse backgrounds to experience growth in their lives and achieve their highest potential. I believe that your relationship with your therapist should not be one where you constantly feel the need to explain yourself and your culture. I value the impact that an individual's culture, religion, and family history bring to their lives. As humans, we do not live in a bubble. Our health, physical and mental, is impacted by issues such as individual racism, structural racism, poverty, and the struggle for equality. I strive to ensure that my clients feel understood and do not feel the burden to constantly explain or justify their life experiences. Growing up as a daughter of Egyptian-Muslim immigrants, I've witnessed the struggle to find mental health services that suited the needs of my identity and did not force their own values and agenda. This struggle is the guiding force behind my passion for creating a safe space that advocates for social justice and inclusivity The way I approach therapy with my clients is a mix of Cognitive Behavioral and a variety of evidence-based therapy techniques. What I take from CBT is the concepts of negative core beliefs & reframing of certain thoughts that impact our behaviors and interactions with the world. This includes the incorporation of mindfulness techniques, as well as art and creative expression. As well as a focus on acknowledging the societal and social injustices that impact my clients' daily lives. It's also important for me to constantly acknowledge and give space for my clients to process these factors that impact their lives. My primary focus is working with individuals struggling with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, adjustment disorders, and depression. I have extensive experience providing therapy to individuals coping with trauma, depression, anxiety, and transitional life changes.