Saila Akhtar, LMHC

Florida | Online sessions in New York, Florida | English | Book with Saila »

Practical, narrative-informed therapy for life changes

Details

Name	Saila Akhtar
Credentials	LMHC
Based in	Florida
Licensed in	New York, Florida
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	8

About Saila

Saila Akhtar is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Florida who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and life changes. She explains things plainly and focuses on building trust so clients feel heard. Her style is warm and interactive, and she centers conversations on what matters to each person.

With eight years of clinical experience, she has supported people dealing with relationship strain, parenting challenges, grief, trauma, and concerns about self-esteem and intimacy.

Background and approach

She also works with issues such as ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, compassion fatigue, and career-related stress. Her background includes direct work with people affected by abuse and family conflict. Saila draws on Narrative approaches alongside client-centered methods and cognitive behavioral techniques.

She uses these to help people reframe difficult stories, identify unhelpful thinking patterns, and clarify values that guide change. Dialectical skills and existential ideas are also part of her toolkit when they fit a client's needs. Sessions are collaborative.

Saila helps people set practical goals, practice new skills, and try small changes between meetings. She aims to keep work grounded and understandable, rather than full of jargon. Her approach emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion.

People looking for straightforward, conversational therapy that ties techniques to real life may find her way of working useful.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family conflicts among the things Saila works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Existential Therapy: Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Jungian Therapy: Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Saila among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Saila directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Saila directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How narrative and practical methods translate online

Therapy online with Saila blends Narrative ideas, client-centered listening, and cognitive behavioral techniques into clear, usable steps. Narrative Therapy helps people separate themselves from difficult stories and look at life events from new angles; it is useful for identity, family history, and meaning questions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person's experience so they can lead the pace and topics of change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks down problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and gives concrete strategies to try between sessions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk through goals and preferences and then try methods that fit those aims. That process is collaborative, and methods can be adjusted as the relationship develops.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video allows face-to-face conversation when bandwidth and environment allow. Phone sessions can be a good fit when a camera isn't needed or bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging work well for shorter check-ins, coaching-style support, or times when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make scheduling more flexible and help therapy fit into busy lives.

Common questions about this listing

What concerns does this therapist address?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting struggles, grief, and related concerns such as ADHD and bipolar mood challenges.

How would you describe the therapeutic approach and style?

The approach is conversational and collaborative, using Narrative ideas, client-centered listening, and cognitive behavioral techniques to reframe problems and try practical changes.

What is Saila Akhtar's background and experience?

She is a licensed mental health counselor with eight years of experience working with a wide range of concerns, including trauma, family conflict, and substance use issues.

Where is the therapist licensed and located?

She holds LMHC credentials and practices from Florida, with licensing recorded as FL LMHC and NY LMHC.

Which languages are supported and can international clients work together?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How is cost handled for therapy sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with this therapist?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Saila are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Saila where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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