NPC

Hi, my name is Dr. Saima Sandhu. My journey toward becoming a mental health professional has been unconventional but deeply enlightening. I began with a Master's degree in Genetics, dedicating a decade to the field. Despite my achievements, a nagging sense of incompleteness propelled me to reassess my career path. I shifted gears and pursued graduate studies in computer languages, only to find that the void persisted.

My skepticism toward therapy was a byproduct of my cultural upbringing; in Pakistani society, therapy has often been stigmatized as superfluous. It was only when I sought guidance from a career counselor that I grasped the transformative power of the mental health profession. This epiphany set my course; I enrolled yet again in graduate school, this time for a Master’s degree in Psychology.

Each lecture felt like a revelation, unveiling deeper layers of human behavior and psychology. My coursework was not merely academic—it was an ever-opening window into the human soul. Post-graduation, I began work in diverse settings, and it struck me that the scars left by childhood sexual abuse were eerily similar across cultural bounds. This galvanized me to pursue a doctoral thesis focusing on the long-term impacts of childhood sexual abuse on women's relationships in adulthood.

With nearly two decades in this arena, my expertise extends to EMDR, addiction therapy, CBT, sex therapy, and mental health coaching, certified by Dr. Daniel Amen. I continually seek to augment my therapeutic toolset, an endeavor further catalyzed by the advent of online therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to my initial reservations, online platforms proved remarkably effective, as corroborated by heartening client feedback.

For me, the fulfillment I derive from aiding others transcends mere occupational satisfaction—it's my life's purpose, my passion. My therapeutic approach is integrative and individualized, addressing both short-term and long-term treatment goals. By focusing on root causes, I aim for sustainable healing and personal growth for my clients. Watching them ascend the ladder of self-empowerment affirms that my circuitous path to this field was not just the right choice, but the only one that could have granted me this profound sense of fulfillment.

It's a sentiment that constantly reaffirms my decision: I am not just in the right profession; I am living my calling.