Today we’d like to introduce you to Sakina Issa.
Hi Sakina , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story began when I moved to Orlando eight years ago. I had come from NJ and was still searching for my passion in life. After taking some time off to reflect and understand what my life journey was about I was drawn to finding a career that would help others and allow me to continue to grow as an individual. I make the decision to pursue a masters program in Marriage, Family and Couples Therapy program at UCF. There I learned about myself and the way my family had impacted the way I saw things and what changes I needed to make in order to become a more dynamic human being. I learned about intimate relationships and common errors couples make when in a relationship and most importantly I learned how to help others understands the ways in which they can improve their lives and heal from their past family history- through identifying patterns, irrational belief systems, and educating them. I have been practicing in private practice for the past seven years.
Through my journey I continue to learn and grow, which has brought me to the point where I realized that being a therapist isn’t where I wanted to stop by journey. I want to be a therapist and an individual who impacts the world. I recently created a children’s affirmations and activity deck and parent resource deck with two other women co-founders. The product can be found at elodeck.com. I hope to focus some of my time and energy on helping children and parents utilize the power of affirmations to change the way they think and create a resilient mindset in little ones, while continuing to practice therapy online.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I needed to face my own emotional and mental blocks before becoming a therapist myself. I did the work myself and therefore know what my clients go through when they are making the effort to understand themselves and create change.
Life’s journey has also made it difficult. I became pregnant before graduating from UCF which slowed down my licensure process. I had two children before becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the state of Florida. During this process I had to acknowledge that I had to be patient and kind with myself and allow myself as much time as i needed to gain the licensure requirements while having the two little ones at home.
Understanding that I cannot help everyone. Just as we do not get along with everyone in the world, my clients and I do not always click. I had to learn not to take it personally and understand that it’s a part of the profession. I also realized that I needed to not always take a full case load because although I want to help everyone I have a limited capacity as well.
We’ve been impressed with Sakina Issa, LMFT, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sakinaissa.com is my website. Since being pregnant again for the 3rd time I have decided to take all my services online. I have since also decided to package my pricing so that I serve clients who are interested in their self-growth and journey and are willing to invest the proper amount of time needed to heal and create change. I hope to reflect my new business model on my website by May 2021. I specialize in taking an individual through a healing process. Helping them to understand how their childhood and family life has created limitations for them today, through analyzing their belief systems and family history. What we have endured in our past shapes the individuals we become, but that is not to say that we cannot create change and become whom we really want to be. Through working passed limiting beliefs and understand that the past does not limit us we can heal and become the individuals we want to be and needed when we were growing up.
I will also include coaching in my new services packages. The coaching will be available for individuals who have gone through the healing process and are interested in being held accountable in their growth process. Coaching differs from therapy as it is a more hands on and supportive approach.
I think integrating both therapy and coaching in one space sets me apart from other practitioners. Usually an individual’s focus in one field, however I have seen the value in both. I understand there is a benefit from each modality and that an individual can heal, change and grow when they are utilized in the right manner.
The thing that I am most proud about my brand is through the years I am always innovating and changing. I have really understood the areas that I can serve my client’s best, which has ultimately helped me to make the decision to really focus on a niche. I will no longer see couples and families and understand that since I can personally relate to both the healing and coaching packages they will best serve my clientele.
I want the readers to know that I am constantly growing myself to better serve my clients. I put time and effort into continuing education, therapy and coaching for myself to always be in a helping position. You cannot help others when you are not acknowledging your own shortcoming and needs. I also am very aware of burnout and professional fatigue and make sure to structure my schedule in a way that I am always showing up for my clients and giving them my full undivided attention and creating a therapeutic environment for them.
Additionally I have a passion to help beyond both therapy & coaching I hope to impact the world on a larger scale. Therapy is close to my heart and I hope to always practice as a private practitioner, however I have recently created a children’s affirmation and activity deck with two other co-founders that I hope to promote and market to those who I cannot help in a direct manner. My inspiration for this deck came through my personal experience as a professional and the niche that I hope to continue to serve. Most of our thought patterns come from childhood. My adult clients come in to my office to change the thought processes they have acquired in their childhood. I use affirmations to help them change their thought patterns and limiting beliefs. I kept thinking, imagine if I and my clients had been taught about affirmations and a resilient mindset when we were younger. The E.L.O. deck was born! I created the copy and helped the artist with the color psychology, my two other women co-founders worked on the project management and artwork. You can see more @elo.deck (Instagram) elodeck.com (website).
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me or collaborate through emailing me at Hello@sakinaissa.com. They can support me by following @sakinamft on Instagram and @elo.deck. They can also follow my page on FB sakina Issa.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@sakinaissa.com
- Website: sakinaissa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakinamft/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sakinamft
Image Credits
kim go photography
