Dr. Sabah Islam

I'm so glad you are here!

My clinical expertise includes trauma (i.e., relational, racial, religious, sexual, generational, narcissistic abuse), identity development, relationship issues, anxiety/depression, and family of origin concerns. I have extensive experience supporting Muslim, South Asian, SWANA, and BIPoC communities, first generation/children of immigrants, as well as a passion for men's mental health. I balance evidence based practices with cultural responsiveness & a somatic lens.

My interests are heavily informed by my own identities as a brown, Bangladeshi-American, daughter of refugees.

I completed my doctoral degree in clinical psychology through the University of Denver's Graduate School of Professional Psychology. My predoctoral internship was completed at Emory University's Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). I also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University's CAPS, with a focus on social justice and outreach programming. Following licensure, I served as a staff psychologist at Yale University's Mental Health & Counseling department.

I integrate multicultural, trauma-informed, systems, and relational-cultural frameworks to appreciate clients within the contexts of their environments, acknowledging the impact of oppression on wellness through the safety of the therapeutic relationship. Clients, colleagues, and previous supervisors have described me as culturally responsive, challenging, justice-oriented, curious, deeply empathic, and intuitive. In the therapy room, I see myself as a guide who walks alongside clients, empowering them to show up as exactly who they are- for all the pain, hurt, and trauma they may have experienced, and be held safely in this. I believe true, sustainable change comes from the consistent experience of being seen and deeply understood.

Many clients come into therapy with some level of awareness about their struggles, but can't access long term resolution or change. Since healing occurs in the context of relationships, I see my role in helping to facilitate and guide this deeper, sustainable change. Through our work together, clients have often reported finding greater self trust, understanding, and transformed relationships to self and others.

First sessions are a bit more structured than traditional therapy sessions. I'll begin with a brief introduction and then review logistical considerations (informed consent/limits to confidentiality, telehealth considerations, cancellation policy, etc), leaving space for questions as they arise. I like to get a sense of any previous experiences in therapy and discuss what clients have found helpful/unhelpful, followed by sharing a bit about my own approach. If all feels okay, we will then transition into the intake where I'll ask you questions about various areas of your life/history, taking things at your pace. By the end of session, if we feel like a good fit, we can discuss next steps/scheduling. If for any reason we don't feel like a good fit, I am happy to provide referrals.