About Sahar
Sahar discovered her passion for mental health intuitively. While she always knew she liked helping people, she never knew this would become a career for her- mostly because she grew up in a country where this profession was in its infancy and not yet known to her. After completing her first year in a business degree abroad, she decided to listen to that voice inside of her that told her that she would be happier if she made her life useful to others. With little understanding of what that meant, she moved to London to pursue higher education studies in Psychology.
Graduating during the recession led her to take a few detours before she circled back to where she was meant to be,
and she has been developing herself in field since. Sahar is a dedicated professional who loves to learn and listen. She is curious, clinically sound, and demonstrates strengths in creating a safe space for clients to openly question and feel heard.
In addition to her interests in psychology, Sahar enjoys traveling, spending time in nature,
yoga, exercising, cooking and baking. She identifies as American-Pakistani and has also lived in California, London and Pakistan.
Graduating during the recession led her to take a few detours before she circled back to where she was meant to be,
and she has been developing herself in field since. Sahar is a dedicated professional who loves to learn and listen. She is curious, clinically sound, and demonstrates strengths in creating a safe space for clients to openly question and feel heard.
In addition to her interests in psychology, Sahar enjoys traveling, spending time in nature,
yoga, exercising, cooking and baking. She identifies as American-Pakistani and has also lived in California, London and Pakistan.
Qualifications
Sahar is a well rounded professional with over 12 years of experience in the field. She has worked with children, adolescents, higher education students, young professionals, and adults in various settings. Sahar began her career at Chester County Intermediate Unit, Home and Community Services. She volunteered at the Women's Center in Montgomery County supporting survivors of domestic abuse, Evercare Foundation supporting patients with cognitive degenerative diseases in hospice care, and as a Son Rise Program Autism volunteer.
During her graduate studies at UPenn she acquired clinical trainings at Devereux Foundation, Kingdom Recovery, Great Valley High, Ann Frank and Beaumont Elementary Schools. She worked with a wide range of mental health disorders and life challenges. Post graduation she continued her work in Behavioral Health as a Clinical Leader. She also facilitated groups for SpeakUp - an organization dedicated to bridging the communication gaps between parents and their children. In addition to her clinical work, she served as a Seminar Leader for the graduate counseling programs at UPenn
Sahar established her private practice in 2015 in Frazer, Pennyslvania
Since then she has expanded her practice into West Philadelphia providing services in person and online
Her practice offers a unique integrative approach to healing
During her graduate studies at UPenn she acquired clinical trainings at Devereux Foundation, Kingdom Recovery, Great Valley High, Ann Frank and Beaumont Elementary Schools. She worked with a wide range of mental health disorders and life challenges. Post graduation she continued her work in Behavioral Health as a Clinical Leader. She also facilitated groups for SpeakUp - an organization dedicated to bridging the communication gaps between parents and their children. In addition to her clinical work, she served as a Seminar Leader for the graduate counseling programs at UPenn
Sahar established her private practice in 2015 in Frazer, Pennyslvania
Since then she has expanded her practice into West Philadelphia providing services in person and online
Her practice offers a unique integrative approach to healing
Specialties
Trauma | PTSD | Anxiety | Depression
Stress | Health | Wellness | Nutrition
Chronic Issues | Life Transitions | Identity
Loss | Relationships | Eating Behaviors | Body Image
ADHD | Personality Disorders
Stress | Health | Wellness | Nutrition
Chronic Issues | Life Transitions | Identity
Loss | Relationships | Eating Behaviors | Body Image
ADHD | Personality Disorders
Therapeutic Approach
Integrative | Holistic
Person Centered | Cognitive Behavioral
Dialectical Behavioral | Health Coaching
Person Centered | Cognitive Behavioral
Dialectical Behavioral | Health Coaching
Works With
Higher Education Students | Young Adults
Young Professionals | Adults
Ages 19+ yrs
Individual & Group Therapy
Young Professionals | Adults
Ages 19+ yrs
Individual & Group Therapy
Credentials
Licensed Professional Counselor, Pennsylvania #PC010170
National Certified Counselor
Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
250 Hour Yoga Teacher Training from YogaLife under Dr. Bob Butera, Ph.D
Dialectical Behavior Therapy from Behavior Tech, A Linehan Institute
Certified PK-12 School Counselor, Pennsylvania #8646198
Licensed Behavior Specialist, Pennsylvania #BH002916 (Active 2015 to 2020)
National Certified Counselor
Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
250 Hour Yoga Teacher Training from YogaLife under Dr. Bob Butera, Ph.D
Dialectical Behavior Therapy from Behavior Tech, A Linehan Institute
Certified PK-12 School Counselor, Pennsylvania #8646198
Licensed Behavior Specialist, Pennsylvania #BH002916 (Active 2015 to 2020)
Degrees
Masters of Science (M.S.Ed) School and Mental Health Counseling, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science, Honors (BSc. Hons) Psychology, London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Bachelor of Science, Honors (BSc. Hons) Psychology, London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Publication
"Understanding the Plight of Pakistan's Education System and its Impact on Youth Development."
Published in Adolescent Psychology: Worldwide Perspectives Vol 3 (2018)
Published in Adolescent Psychology: Worldwide Perspectives Vol 3 (2018)
Languages
Urdu, Hindi
Understands Punjabi
Understands Punjabi
Recommendations
"Having seen multiple counselors and psychologists over the years, I must say, Sahar’s approach has been the most effective for me. She listens in a way that has acted like my own subconscious – encouraging and letting me delve deeper into my experiences while she guided me and made it less scary to go to some dark places. I believe the will to help is something that comes as second nature for Sahar. She takes ownership of her clients and it is clear that this is beyond just a job for her. I am extremely grateful for all that Sahar has helped me achieve, both the black holes I was able to avoid because of her and the leaps I was able to take with her guiding hand."
- Former Client
"Sahar worked in a very patient manner with our son. Her clinical skills were on point and she brought attention to things we overlooked. I would recommend her in a heartbeat!"
- Parent of Former Client
"The first therapist I have ever seen was Sahar. She helped me understand major things about myself, very quickly.
I was surprised and impressed to find these answers in me, and I would not have done it without her skills.
The possibility to work by video also made it very convenient.
- Former International Client
"My 11-month-old son had been suffering with a severe diaper rash for 4 days. I tried everything! From the best diaper rash creams to the best ointments I could find over the counter. I stopped using wipes and was just using warm water to clean him to avoid further irritating the skin but nothing was working. Sahar gave me my miracle treatment! It worked wonders! The best part was that it was natural! I saw a huge difference after applying it just once. She also made suggestions to what I could apply to avoid further infections which has become my daily regimen. Thank you Sahar for helping my little one fight this nasty diaper rash."
- A First-Time Mommy
"I first met Sahar in the interview process for our program. She presented as a confidant and motivated young woman, who was focused on her goal to move into the field of school and mental health counseling. She had an excellent academic record along with work and volunteer experiences that demonstrated her commitment to the field with a variety of counseling oriented positions. Her internships and work experience all highlight her people skills and her ability to multi-task with attention to detail. It was clear, from the first time I met Sahar, that she was a strong fit for our program and someone who would be an asset and leader within her new University of Pennsylvania cohort.
I know that Sahar is continuing to prove us right! As I review her updated resume, I am impressed with the number of trainings and certifications she has completed this year. In her full-time job as a Therapeutic Staff Support, in the school, home and community settings, she has excellent experience in emotional support and behavioral interventions. This integration of mental health support in the schools reflects the core focus of our program. Sahar has experience across the age span that includes knowledge of all the developmental milestones and diagnoses that can create barriers to learning and school success. She is complimenting her work with a Practicum placement, at Devereux Foundation, Brandywine Campus that gives her additional direct service experience with individual clients and groups.
I am happy to share my strong recommendation that Sahar Akhtar will be an asset to your team and would be committed to her work. She has demonstrated strong academic ability in her graduate studies this year maintaining a 4.0 GPA."
- Linda Lucker Leibowitz, M.A.
Co-Director
Executive Program in School and Mental Health Counseling
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education
"I have had the pleasure of supervising Sahar in a previous internship, which was held from December 2013-May 2014. Sahar has worked as an intern at Devereux CBHS BW RTF, and has had experience in working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She has been an asset in completing and scoring multiple assessments, co-facilitating group therapy, conducting individual therapy sessions, and completing timely documentation. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge that she is willing to share, and asks questions when need be. In my experience with Sahar, I have found a well-rounded and experienced individual who is willing to try new things and learn from her experiences. Sahar is committed to helping others, and growing both professionally and personally. It is for these reasons that I offer high recommendation and reference for Sahar Akhtar."
- Kimberly Henchinski, LPC
Primary Therapist, Devereux Foundation
"Sahar did an excellent job working at CCRES with students who have autism. She is dedicated and always willing to go above to make a difference with challenging students. She will be an asset to any team or school district. I highly recommend her."
- Joe Vailancourt, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Director of Human Resources
CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Staffing
"You've been a huge asset to our program."
- Michelle Weinberg, MEd, BSL, BCBA
Case Specialist
Chester County Intermediate, Home and Community Services
"I wanted to wish you well in your new endeavors!
Thank you for your 5.5+ years of dedication with CCRES and the clients we serve!."
- Thuy Yancey, SHRM-CP
Coordinator of Recruitment
CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health
"It is an honor to serve as a professional reference for Sahar Akhtar. I have served as Ms. Akhtar’s Associate Childcare Director here at the YMCA for the last four months. During this time she has proven herself to be independent, motivated and attentive to our children’s needs. Ms. Akhtar was a teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten class. She is a warm and caring individual who was dedicated to the education and personal growth of each child in her class. Ms. Akhtar has excellent classroom management skills and maintains a positive rapport with her co-workers. She connected with even the most challenging students and created an environment conducive to fun and learning. She effectively co-planned and executed lessons based on the core curriculum of our program. Ms. Akhtar showed initiative, determination and a strong work ethic. She has been a wonderful asset to our team and I highly recommend her."
- Bridget McDonald
Associate Childcare Director
Early Learning Center Upper Main Line YMCA
"I had the pleasure of supervising Sahar Akhtar from September 2014 when she began working with me as a School Counselor intern at Beaumont Elementary School until May of 2015. Throughout her time at Beaumont, Sahar demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity and sensitivity while working with a diverse group of young students. Sahar quickly learned the roles and responsibilities of an elementary school counselor. She was always eager to learn and shows initiative and interest working with the children, their families and the school staff. Sahar took on a number of small counseling groups focusing on social skills and resiliency. Before each group session, Sahar thoughtfully prepared a lesson considering the needs of the individual students. She is enthusiastic and engaging when working with the children during groups. Sahar was also involved in planning and delivering large group developmental guidance lessons. She designed a unit of career development lessons to meet the needs and interests of children from Kindergarten through third grade. I have been particularly impressed with Sahar's ability to provide individual counseling services to the students. She is able to establish rapport quickly and easily and the children enjoy working with her. Further, she consistently demonstrates empathy and insight when working one on one with students."
- Judith Root, M.S.Ed
School Counselor
Beaumont Elementary School
"Sahar Akhtar served as a secondary school counseling intern at Great Valley High School during the 2015-16 school year. Great Valley High School is a comprehensive public high school with an enrollment of approximately 1250 students in grades 9 through 12 and is located in Chester County, PA. For the class of 2014, approximately 91% of Great Valley High School graduates continued in a program of higher education. Approximately 84% enrolled in 4-year colleges and 7% enrolled in 1 and 2-year colleges. Sahar attended her placement at our school for 1-2 school days a week from September through April.
Throughout her time at Great Valley Sahar was able to observe and participate in a variety of situations. Early fall Sahar sat in with each counselor during our "senior meetings. These meetings are designed to assist students in executing the final steps or determining the path for their post-secondary plans. She had exposure to students researching and applying to colleges, ranging from community college to state schools, private schools and highly selective schools, students researching and applying to technical programs and some students who were just unsure. Subjects such as testing, fee waivers, deciding a major, documentation status and NCAA eligibility were discussed. In addition to observing our interactions with students, Sahar met individually with approximately ten seniors to assist them in the application and/or scholarship process.
In addition to "senior meetings" Sahar has observed meetings with each of the other classes. These meetings vary based on grade level but tend to focus on the individual students' well-being, academic progress and post-secondary and career goals. Several of the "junior meetings" that Sahar observed were attended by family members of the student.
Sahar had exposure to our Special Education and 504 programming. In addition to attending a 504 and IEP meeting Sahar conducted several observations of students for our multidisciplinary evaluations. An observation would last 30-45 minutes and Sahar was responsible for recording interactions of the student who was being evaluated in relation to the classroom activities. Several times she was responsible for monitoring the amount of time a student was or was not on task.
Over the course of the school year Sahar had a variety of other experiences. She met individually with close to ten students on topics such as: academic success, attendance, coping skills and social situations. She observed our Child Find and Student Assistance Program team meetings. She witnessed the loss of a current student and monitored a "drop in center" for grieving students alongside other counseling and social work employees.
Sahar has had exposure to multiple facets of a high school counselor. In addition to her other experiences and her research Sahar has gained quite a bit of knowledge throughout the year."
- Carrie A. Kane
School Counselor
Great Valley High School
"I managed Sahar for two years in my capacity as Key Account Manager at PFL. Based on her work, I would rank her as one of the best managers I have ever worked with. I found her to be consistently pleasant, tackling all assignments with dedication, and a smile. Sahar is a take-charge person who is able to present creative ideas and implement them.
She is a very motivated individual, a great team player, and would be a great asset to any organization."
- Faiq Abbasi
Key Accounts Manager
Preparation For Life (PFL), Education Consultancy
- Former Client
"Sahar worked in a very patient manner with our son. Her clinical skills were on point and she brought attention to things we overlooked. I would recommend her in a heartbeat!"
- Parent of Former Client
"The first therapist I have ever seen was Sahar. She helped me understand major things about myself, very quickly.
I was surprised and impressed to find these answers in me, and I would not have done it without her skills.
The possibility to work by video also made it very convenient.
- Former International Client
"My 11-month-old son had been suffering with a severe diaper rash for 4 days. I tried everything! From the best diaper rash creams to the best ointments I could find over the counter. I stopped using wipes and was just using warm water to clean him to avoid further irritating the skin but nothing was working. Sahar gave me my miracle treatment! It worked wonders! The best part was that it was natural! I saw a huge difference after applying it just once. She also made suggestions to what I could apply to avoid further infections which has become my daily regimen. Thank you Sahar for helping my little one fight this nasty diaper rash."
- A First-Time Mommy
"I first met Sahar in the interview process for our program. She presented as a confidant and motivated young woman, who was focused on her goal to move into the field of school and mental health counseling. She had an excellent academic record along with work and volunteer experiences that demonstrated her commitment to the field with a variety of counseling oriented positions. Her internships and work experience all highlight her people skills and her ability to multi-task with attention to detail. It was clear, from the first time I met Sahar, that she was a strong fit for our program and someone who would be an asset and leader within her new University of Pennsylvania cohort.
I know that Sahar is continuing to prove us right! As I review her updated resume, I am impressed with the number of trainings and certifications she has completed this year. In her full-time job as a Therapeutic Staff Support, in the school, home and community settings, she has excellent experience in emotional support and behavioral interventions. This integration of mental health support in the schools reflects the core focus of our program. Sahar has experience across the age span that includes knowledge of all the developmental milestones and diagnoses that can create barriers to learning and school success. She is complimenting her work with a Practicum placement, at Devereux Foundation, Brandywine Campus that gives her additional direct service experience with individual clients and groups.
I am happy to share my strong recommendation that Sahar Akhtar will be an asset to your team and would be committed to her work. She has demonstrated strong academic ability in her graduate studies this year maintaining a 4.0 GPA."
- Linda Lucker Leibowitz, M.A.
Co-Director
Executive Program in School and Mental Health Counseling
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education
"I have had the pleasure of supervising Sahar in a previous internship, which was held from December 2013-May 2014. Sahar has worked as an intern at Devereux CBHS BW RTF, and has had experience in working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She has been an asset in completing and scoring multiple assessments, co-facilitating group therapy, conducting individual therapy sessions, and completing timely documentation. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge that she is willing to share, and asks questions when need be. In my experience with Sahar, I have found a well-rounded and experienced individual who is willing to try new things and learn from her experiences. Sahar is committed to helping others, and growing both professionally and personally. It is for these reasons that I offer high recommendation and reference for Sahar Akhtar."
- Kimberly Henchinski, LPC
Primary Therapist, Devereux Foundation
"Sahar did an excellent job working at CCRES with students who have autism. She is dedicated and always willing to go above to make a difference with challenging students. She will be an asset to any team or school district. I highly recommend her."
- Joe Vailancourt, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Director of Human Resources
CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Staffing
"You've been a huge asset to our program."
- Michelle Weinberg, MEd, BSL, BCBA
Case Specialist
Chester County Intermediate, Home and Community Services
"I wanted to wish you well in your new endeavors!
Thank you for your 5.5+ years of dedication with CCRES and the clients we serve!."
- Thuy Yancey, SHRM-CP
Coordinator of Recruitment
CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health
"It is an honor to serve as a professional reference for Sahar Akhtar. I have served as Ms. Akhtar’s Associate Childcare Director here at the YMCA for the last four months. During this time she has proven herself to be independent, motivated and attentive to our children’s needs. Ms. Akhtar was a teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten class. She is a warm and caring individual who was dedicated to the education and personal growth of each child in her class. Ms. Akhtar has excellent classroom management skills and maintains a positive rapport with her co-workers. She connected with even the most challenging students and created an environment conducive to fun and learning. She effectively co-planned and executed lessons based on the core curriculum of our program. Ms. Akhtar showed initiative, determination and a strong work ethic. She has been a wonderful asset to our team and I highly recommend her."
- Bridget McDonald
Associate Childcare Director
Early Learning Center Upper Main Line YMCA
"I had the pleasure of supervising Sahar Akhtar from September 2014 when she began working with me as a School Counselor intern at Beaumont Elementary School until May of 2015. Throughout her time at Beaumont, Sahar demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity and sensitivity while working with a diverse group of young students. Sahar quickly learned the roles and responsibilities of an elementary school counselor. She was always eager to learn and shows initiative and interest working with the children, their families and the school staff. Sahar took on a number of small counseling groups focusing on social skills and resiliency. Before each group session, Sahar thoughtfully prepared a lesson considering the needs of the individual students. She is enthusiastic and engaging when working with the children during groups. Sahar was also involved in planning and delivering large group developmental guidance lessons. She designed a unit of career development lessons to meet the needs and interests of children from Kindergarten through third grade. I have been particularly impressed with Sahar's ability to provide individual counseling services to the students. She is able to establish rapport quickly and easily and the children enjoy working with her. Further, she consistently demonstrates empathy and insight when working one on one with students."
- Judith Root, M.S.Ed
School Counselor
Beaumont Elementary School
"Sahar Akhtar served as a secondary school counseling intern at Great Valley High School during the 2015-16 school year. Great Valley High School is a comprehensive public high school with an enrollment of approximately 1250 students in grades 9 through 12 and is located in Chester County, PA. For the class of 2014, approximately 91% of Great Valley High School graduates continued in a program of higher education. Approximately 84% enrolled in 4-year colleges and 7% enrolled in 1 and 2-year colleges. Sahar attended her placement at our school for 1-2 school days a week from September through April.
Throughout her time at Great Valley Sahar was able to observe and participate in a variety of situations. Early fall Sahar sat in with each counselor during our "senior meetings. These meetings are designed to assist students in executing the final steps or determining the path for their post-secondary plans. She had exposure to students researching and applying to colleges, ranging from community college to state schools, private schools and highly selective schools, students researching and applying to technical programs and some students who were just unsure. Subjects such as testing, fee waivers, deciding a major, documentation status and NCAA eligibility were discussed. In addition to observing our interactions with students, Sahar met individually with approximately ten seniors to assist them in the application and/or scholarship process.
In addition to "senior meetings" Sahar has observed meetings with each of the other classes. These meetings vary based on grade level but tend to focus on the individual students' well-being, academic progress and post-secondary and career goals. Several of the "junior meetings" that Sahar observed were attended by family members of the student.
Sahar had exposure to our Special Education and 504 programming. In addition to attending a 504 and IEP meeting Sahar conducted several observations of students for our multidisciplinary evaluations. An observation would last 30-45 minutes and Sahar was responsible for recording interactions of the student who was being evaluated in relation to the classroom activities. Several times she was responsible for monitoring the amount of time a student was or was not on task.
Over the course of the school year Sahar had a variety of other experiences. She met individually with close to ten students on topics such as: academic success, attendance, coping skills and social situations. She observed our Child Find and Student Assistance Program team meetings. She witnessed the loss of a current student and monitored a "drop in center" for grieving students alongside other counseling and social work employees.
Sahar has had exposure to multiple facets of a high school counselor. In addition to her other experiences and her research Sahar has gained quite a bit of knowledge throughout the year."
- Carrie A. Kane
School Counselor
Great Valley High School
"I managed Sahar for two years in my capacity as Key Account Manager at PFL. Based on her work, I would rank her as one of the best managers I have ever worked with. I found her to be consistently pleasant, tackling all assignments with dedication, and a smile. Sahar is a take-charge person who is able to present creative ideas and implement them.
She is a very motivated individual, a great team player, and would be a great asset to any organization."
- Faiq Abbasi
Key Accounts Manager
Preparation For Life (PFL), Education Consultancy
