Sahar Akhtar LPCC

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Sahar Akhtar LPCC

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Sahar Akhtar LPCC, Psychotherapist, San Francisco, CA.

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (CA), Licensed Professional Counselor (PA), Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Published Author, Certified Yoga Instructor, Classical & Yin

03/15/2026

Hello 👋

Here to share that I won’t be taking new clients until May as I head out on maternity leave (thanks to the state of CA… 🤗 PA take some notes!).

In the meantime, please consider working with Saad or Marissa Both are wonderful clinicians and come highly recommended by yours truly 😎

Goes without saying that I am going to miss this space 🛋️ 🥲 ... it's not all of who I am, but it is a lot of who I am 😬

Thank you for trusting me with your care 🫶🏽 and in the wise words of your wise therapist 😉
..

Trust the work that happens slowly❣️

07/26/2025

Humanity is the thread that binds us- across borders, beliefs, and languages.

It reminds us that every heartbeat matters.

That our blood does not discriminate.

That no child should go hungry.

That no grief is too distant or small to feel.

Choose humanity- in speech, in action, in presence.

Even when it’s uncomfortable.

Especially when it’s needed.

Because every nervous system deserves safety.

Speak up.

For those in Gaza 🇵🇸

For those starving, grieving, and living in survival mode every single moment for over 600 days and some- without rest, recovery or pause.

For those enduring unimaginable levels of generational, collective and individual trauma.

For children and siblings who are made orphaned and are alone, left helplessly caring for each other without the warmth of a parent or safety of a home or loved one.

For the vulnerable old or person who needs medication and treatment.

For the youth with shattered hopes and dreams.

I speak up.

Mental health is not separate from human rights.

To sit quietly is to turn away from the pain of children and human beings.

As a mental health professional, it is my duty to speak up for the hungry children in Gaza, for the grieving people in Gaza and for the people in Gaza who have not felt a second of safety in their bodies in over 600 days and some, for their right to sleep without buzzing or shelling sounds, for watching their homes crumble before their eyes, for no access to hospitals, schools and even bathrooms.

Humanity is not political. And Mental health is not separate from human rights.

Leadership is silent. I am done waiting.

🇵🇸

06/04/2025

Can't believe it's been 10 years since I graduated from grad school. This picture was taken on May 16th 2015. I won't forget the date. Interesting facts: the first one is that my cap was featured in the Penn Gazette back then, probably because of 's work on grit but still it was pretty cool to stumble upon this. The second is that during one of my classes on professional development we were asked to create a brochure for our (future) services and I manifested that I would have a private practice with a wellness center. 10 years later Saad pulled the trigger on something that he's been wanting to do for a while- open up a fitness & community space. After talking about it for a while, it was time to just do it. We are putting our visions together to build something special and can't wait to see this project come to life
When I tell my entrepreneur clients not to underestimate the power of manifestation they look at me and say- manifesting is not going to pay my bills. Then I say... it will get you closer 😉

05/15/2025

Recruiting for my next group beginning June 4th. Reach out via email to express interest in joining our supervision group: [email protected]

05/05/2025

Sharing some words of wisdom that speak to me this morning. On being present: "the finest meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant might as well be a plate of instant noodles if your mind is elsewhere; and a friendship to which you never actually give a moment's thought is a friendship in name only"... "distraction and care are incompatible with each other". "To have meaningful experiences, you must be able to focus on it, at least a bit". Have you read the book? (Four Thousand Weeks)

04/29/2025

"I work from a somatic, strengths based and cognitive behavioral framework. I will draw your attention to symptoms and sensations tied to your distress or trauma to help you process and release this using evidence based interventions that support the mind and body. I will also bring to your attention things that are holding you back. My style is active, interactive and relationship oriented."
Saad is licensed to practice in the state of California and Pennsylvania. In addition to video sessions, he offers therapy in person on Tuesdays and Fridays. He works with adults between the ages 25-60.

04/22/2025

"I work from a cognitive behavioral framework and problem solving approach. I strongly believe in building a rapport with my clients through a therapeutic relationship which fosters openness and acceptance. I take a direct approach in helping my clients recognize their strengths and work towards growth."
Marissa is licensed to practice in the state of Pennsylvania. She offers therapy sessions by video. She works with adults between the ages 18-30.

02/08/2025

The past three weeks have been the most unsettling sociopolitically, AND in the therapy room. Most of us are struggling to make sense of a myriad of executive orders leaving behind confusion and fear. Mental health needs are higher than the number of professionals practicing.
As a therapist, I am confused with what this means for our field, hoping for leadership to step up and advocate for the ethical principles and professional values of our profession. Counselors are ethically supposed to "honor diversity and embrace a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts" AND promote social justice.
The polarities between legislation and our codes of ethics are a mind scramble. In the counseling room we support both- the person being marginalized AND the one who perpetuates the marginalization of others while keeping in mind that we cannot do harm to either. The therapy room is a healing space for everyone. As we stand now, there is very little support for marginalized communities especially LGBTQAI+, black, brown, muslim and immigrant communities. The last time we went through this, women questioned whether to bring children into this world, there was a lot of uncertainty with future decision making, in*******al families experienced high conflicts, and a lot of schools witnessed hostility within their student populations. We saw social anxiety rise, racial stress rise, trauma rise, depression rise...
Amidst this uncertainty, I'm thinking about how to throw life jackets out to the people in this water, hoping they will secure one and stay afloat. No words. Just no words. Only hope for the counseling space and therapy room to remain a safe haven and a vessel for you during this time. Sending you, love & light because what I can say with conviction is that time does not stay the same for anyone and the support of one person is better than none. Thinking of everyone waking up without a job, without a home, without community, without security, retraumatized by their battles, loss of identity, AND without "your normal".
🩵 Sahar

10/03/2024

We took two weeks off to rest and recharge. Initially what was meant to be an international trip ended up becoming a staycation. We had to tune into what we needed and venturing off abroad was not where we was at so we cancelled plans
It's been fun exploring sunset and all this community has to offer. We finally made it to Lands end, a hike we tried to do three times before but Attended local night markets and got to see the mayor
I got to catch up with myself- meditate and focus inward, switched off and unplugged, worked out, tried new recipes, read, trainings, lots of self care things and found myself a hair dresser I lost a loved one this time last year so needed the extended time to work through the waves of my grief which gets harder to do if you are the one taking care of people
The parts we don't plan for but they happen - suffered an injury so have to adjust my workout plans and stick to just walking for a bit. Computer broke Can't do things as planned but it's ok, I think this little lull is taking me somewhere I need to be
But the biggest news is that we are coming up on 10 years here at Live Better Thinking about the future and our next steps
We are looking forward to returning to work on Monday It's been a bit. We missed you! But thank you for keeping us healthy 🤍✨🫶

05/30/2024

Hi there it's been a while since we posted our practice updates. Wanted to share some news!
Marissa Kimmel is now Dr. Kimmel. She completed her PhD in Educational Psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Her research addressed issues pertaining to "School Refusal, Anxiety and Executive Functioning in Adolescents". Marissa has extensive experience of working with Adolescents as a Teacher then High School Counselor. In her role as a Psychotherapist here at Live Better, she enjoys working with clients between the ages of 18-30 assisting them with transitions to college, adjustment as well as relationship concerns, anxiety, depression etc. (learn more about her on our website: www.livebettercounseling.org).
Marissa has also earned her title as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) to practice in Pennsylvania. She joined our practice 3.5 years ago and was my supervisee + just getting started in her doctorate program. It's been a pleasure training her and watching her grow- moments of imposter syndrome to "I can do this". Yes Marissa, you can, you did and you do :) Her clients value working with her and have shown progress under her care. We are so happy to have her!

03/12/2024

I can't say this enough- value your baby steps 📣 🌿
Ok show of hands, who needed to hear this? 🙋‍♀️

Address

San Francisco, CA

Website

http://www.livebettercounseling.org/

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