Reclaim Yourself
Be Proud of Who You Are
Therapy for Individuals, Specializing in CPTSD and People of Color
Online in New York and New Jersey
People ask you, “How are you?”
And you never know what to say.
Responding, “I’m good,” feels like a lie. But you know that’s what they expect to hear.
Anything else starts to feel like oversharing.
You look for a quick fix.
Trying to figure out how to “hack” life.
Making list upon list, believing that checking everything off will make you happy.
You’ve graduated, or gotten “the job,” or gotten married, and still, you haven’t “gotten happy.”
Or whatever “happy” means. You just don’t feel at peace.
People around you look happy.
You feel like you’re missing something.
As though the rest of the world knows something you don’t.
Because they seem to be able to cope and do well.
And yet, you struggle.
There are valid reasons why it’s hard.
Being treated differently because of your skin color, your body size, your religion, your sexuality, your gender.
Dealing with traumas and injuries that you stay quiet on…
It all weighs on you.
You try to speak up, but no one seems to listen.
Instead, you get polite smiles and distance.
You get told:
“You’re not speaking up the right way.”
“They don’t mean harm; they just don’t understand/are old/were raised that way.”
And it isn’t just the outside world…
It exists mostly amongst family, community, friends.
There is a divide between you and them.
Your issues don’t feel as real or as important as theirs.
You’re told to have more grace, patience, wisdom, or faith.
Or that it’s just how things are supposed to be.
So, you begin to question yourself.
You wonder:
“Am I just supposed to be treated this way?”
“Is there something wrong with me that it hurts?”
“Because everyone else seems fine…”
“Why am I like this?”
You don’t feel like you can cope anymore.
Everyone only sees part of you – the part you think they would like the most.
It’s starting to feel deceitful.
You are losing yourself. Sometimes, you’re not sure you know who you are.
Something has to change, but…
A world in which your dreams are possible – feels improbable.
Being comfortable and confident in who you are – impossible.
Feeling in control of your emotions – only a dream.
But, it doesn’t have to be this way.
You are valid and deserve to feel self-assured.
You can understand your emotions more.
And be in control of them. And your life.
You can feel good about yourself and your life.
This is what I do.
I work with people who want to find themselves.
People who want to heal from their traumas.
Let’s take the next step and put the control back in your hands.
Hi, I’m Ayah.
I am a therapist in NYC. I come from a biracial family, have lived in four different countries, I’ve navigated religion and spirituality in different communities, and I’m a fellow human on this earth.
I understand what it feels like to try and exist in communities that only try to see you through one lens. I understand what it feels like to try to heal your traumas but not knowing where to go because of the fear of not being understood and therefore not respected. And the feeling of “stuckness” that then comes.
I know that you need someone who knows that there is always more to the story and only you know how to tell it. That you need someone who will truly see you and advocate for you. I take the time to really hear you.
You’re also not in search of a quick fix. You’ve tried them before, and they don’t work. You know this takes time and you want the time to heal you.
And you deserve to heal.
Good change, permanent change, and contentment are my goals.
What I Offer
Let’s start.
I’m excited to begin working with you.
I know how hard it is to find a therapist that understands
all your identities AND issues.
A therapist who SEES YOU and not a diagnosis.
I’m here and ready to listen.
