Dr. Ibrahim Akmese

Hello, and welcome. My name is Ibrahim Akmese, and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Ohio with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. I specialize in working with individuals navigating grief, loss, and trauma, helping them find meaning and healing during some of life’s most difficult moments.

In addition to my clinical work, I hold a certification in Thanatology—the study of death, dying, and bereavement—and have advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a highly effective approach for treating trauma and post-traumatic stress.

Throughout my career, I have been committed to creating a compassionate and supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. I have worked with a wide range of populations, including adults experiencing complicated grief, survivors of trauma, and individuals facing major life transitions. My approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and respect for each person’s unique journey.

I believe that healing is possible when we are given the space to process our pain, honor our experiences, and reconnect with hope. It’s a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they navigate their stories and move toward growth and resilience.

I approach therapy with a trauma-informed, client-centered perspective, providing a space where you feel safe, respected, and supported throughout your healing journey. I believe that healing from trauma and loss is not about forgetting or "moving on," but about learning how to live with the reality of what has happened—and finding ways to carry your grief with strength, compassion, and meaning.

I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic memories. EMDR can be especially effective for those who are feeling stuck in the pain of grief, loss, or past trauma, helping to reduce emotional distress while honoring the significance of the loss.

My work integrates EMDR with other trauma-focused and grief-sensitive approaches, always tailored to meet your unique needs. Whether you are navigating the death of a loved one, adjusting to life after a major loss, or coping with unresolved trauma, I am committed to walking alongside you. Together, we will work to foster resilience, deepen self-understanding, and find a way to move forward while carrying the memory and meaning of what has been lost.

Healing is not about erasing the past; it’s about learning how to live with it in a way that allows hope, connection, and new meaning to emerge.

In our work together, you can expect a space where your experiences are honored and explored with compassion and care. I believe that healing begins when we understand not only what happened to us, but also how our minds and bodies naturally respond to overwhelming or painful events. Trauma can shape the way we see ourselves, others, and the world, and part of our work is to gently untangle those responses and create space for healing.

You don't have to have experienced trauma for loss to impact you deeply. Grief touches all of us, and it deserves to be acknowledged and tended to, no matter the circumstances. Whether you are carrying the weight of a specific traumatic event or navigating the complex, painful emotions of loss, our sessions are designed to meet you where you are.

Through our time together, you may take away:

• A deeper understanding of your emotional responses and nervous system reactions
• Practical tools to manage overwhelming emotions, anxiety, and distress
• A greater ability to process painful memories without being consumed by them (with the support of EMDR when appropriate)
• New ways to hold grief and loss, honoring what has been lost while making space for life moving forward

Healing is not about erasing pain, but learning how to live with it, integrate it, and allow yourself to move forward in ways that feel true to you.