As-salamu alaykum dear sisters. I'm truly honoured that you're here to get to know me a bit better to find out if I might be the right therapist for you. I'm Umm Rahmah, a Canadian Registered Psychotherapist committed to the healing, growth and well-being of my Muslim sisters around the world. I specialize in compassionate trauma care and I help my clients find relief through the use of Expressive Arts as well as other resource-based therapy modalities. Though I primarily work with Muslim women, I am open to exploring the possibility of providing therapy to women from other faiths if the fit feels right for both of us.
The therapy I provide is deeply rooted in the values of Islam including honesty, sincerity, kindness, compassion, purpose, and trust. The work we do together is faith-focused, which means your deen and connection with Allah is held and supported with the utmost care. Not only do we work together to ensure your faith isn't shaken during the therapeutic process, but we strive to strengthen your relationship with Allah along the way such that your healing, growth and transformation are holistic—emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational, in shaa Allah.
Alhamdulilah, I bring over 15 years of therapeutic experience from both private and institutional settings to my private practice, Muslimah Therapy, which I established in January 2021 under the clinical supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist in Canada. My certifications in Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) have helped me develop a diverse range of skills to support my clients. I have also received specialized training in Trauma Informed Care, Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity in Psychotherapeutic Practice, Mental Health First Aid, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. I am also an active Member in good standing with the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA).
As a neurodivergent writer, educator, and advocate, my passion for helping Muslim women heal goes far beyond therapy sessions. It was my own personal journey through complex intergenerational trauma that led me to discover the power of creative self-expression, particularly healing through poetry. This eventually paved the way for my career as an Expressive Arts Therapist, where I now guide individuals towards compassionate self-inquiry and healing through self-awareness and acceptance, especially of the parts of ourselves we often struggle to embrace.
I hold a strong belief that every individual is born with the natural ability of self-expression. However, the pressures of life often disrupt our connection with ourselves and our inherent creativity, leading to feelings of being stuck and overwhelmed. I facilitate my clients in an intuitive process of self-reconnection through creative expression, providing them a safe space to explore their emotions, memories, thoughts, and obstacles in a gentle and non-invasive manner. By encouraging clients to play with art, I lead them into a world of imagination, where they can discover new possibilities that may have remained hidden before.
Clients are empowered to discover a wealth of resources and possible solutions they were previously unaware of through this approach of focusing on strengths and resources rather than deficiencies and problems; through Expressive Arts, we open ourselves up to new perspectives and opportunities. I believe that each client is an expert in their emotions, stories, needs, and desires for their lives. In a safe and supportive environment, they can intuitively find their own truth. My role is not to diagnose or fix my clients, but rather to hold space and gently guide them back to themselves, where they can discover new ways of developing and feeling alive with hope.
On a personal note, I'm half Canadian, half Egyptian; I was born and raised in Canada but have lived on-and-off in Egypt throughout my life. Alhamdulilah, I speak Arabic fluently. Though I was given the name Jennifer, I am not a convert. I'm married with three boys and some seriously adorable fur babies, ma shaa Allah. Some of the things that bring me joy are anything and everything salted caramel, a really good latte, flowers, writing poetry, and being in the company of souls who aren't afraid to explore the exquisite depths of true connection, especially when it gets messy. I'm a traveller at heart and I absolutely love being outdoors in nature and going on adventures where I can explore the wonders of wildlife and marvel at the beauty of Allah's creation.