Ameenah Ikram, Psy.D.

The greatest way to ‘get over’ something, is to go ‘through’ it in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. When life becomes challenging, you can oftentimes feel confused about where to turn. Perhaps you wish to discover the ways in which the past may be holding you back, better understand the reason why you’re feeling stagnant in the present, and explore why the future may feel so intimidating for you. You may need the help of others to feel stable again and seeking therapy is a brave and courageous first step. You deserve to feel better, and I can help!

As an American Pakistani Muslim, I understand how seeking mental health treatment is often stigmatized across marginalized communities. Additionally, I can understand the potential fears you may have around finding a therapist who truly “gets” your cultural differences, and how those play a role in regard to your mental health and overall wellness. My approach is to be a warm, compassionate, affirming, collaborative, and culturally humble support system for you. My hope is that you feel safe with me as we examine your pains and joys, and as we explore your emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and needs. I believe that you are the expert on yourself, and that by working together, we can explore your areas of “stuckness” in a safe and nonjudgmental way, in order to help you live a more meaningful and values-based life. My hope is that together, we can add more tools to your tool box which can help you learn new ways of being, and ultimately guide you towards becoming the best version of yourself.

I use an interpersonal framework to develop a collaborative, nonjudgmental, and safe relationship with my clients, and am intentional about using the therapeutic alliance as a tool throughout the course of therapy. I also frequently utilize interventions grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Time Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP) to help my clients examine dysfunctional interpersonal patterns, explore internal and external experiences, process emotions, cope with challenges, learn new ways of thinking and behaving, and work towards achieving a wholesome way of living.

I am passionate about helping clients who may be struggling with multicultural identity concerns, spirituality concerns, low mood, worried thoughts, relationship issues, perinatal issues, and adjustment difficulties. I also work from a trauma informed care approach. I help clients who may be struggling with perinatal trauma, racial trauma, and other forms of trauma related to women’s issues and multicultural issues. Most importantly, I am very passionate about working with Muslim individuals of all ages and backgrounds. I am one of few Muslim identified doctoral-level clinicians in the state of North Carolina, and I am committed to being an active resource to all Muslim communities. I have historically worked with Muslim clients in two Islamic school settings, two university college counseling settings, and in private practice settings, and have also provided outreach events at various mosques and Muslim Student Association university student groups. My dissertation research also examined the unique presentations of mood disorders during the peripartum period in Muslim women. I have also attended various webinars and virtual conferences regarding mental health treatment for Muslim populations. Lastly, I have received a certificate for successfully completing the "A Glimpse into the Foundations of Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (TIIP)" course offered through the Khalil Center, and my hope is to continue to do trainings to eventually become certified to use the TIIP framework in my practice. My approach involves exploring emotions, carefully processing and re-framing traumatic experiences, and increasing coping skills to help clients better function and re-engage in the present moment. My ultimate goal is to help clients heal! 

If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, please email care@breyatpsych.com or call 919-245-7791 X 5.