Sariya Idriss

"These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them." --Rumi

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the states of NY and MA. As an Arab-American therapist, I am deeply committed to liberation, justice, and collective healing. I bring a lived understanding of bicultural identity, generational trauma, and strive to create a safe space for clients to explore the mental health impacts of oppression in all its forms.

My clinical work focuses on depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and existential concerns—with a special emphasis on bicultural identity and intergenerational healing. I draw from psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, multicultural psychology, LGBTQ-affirming care, and trauma-informed practice. My style is collaborative, warm, and grounded. I meet clients where they are while inviting growth, reflection, and deeper self-understanding. All parts of you are welcome here—from righteous anger at injustice to moments of joy that feel complicated to hold.

I hold a BA from McGill University and an MSW from Boston University. I completed a post-graduate fellowship at Harvard Vanguard and later worked at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School.

My specialties include depression, anxiety, grief, existential concerns, and trauma—with a particular focus on bicultural identity and intergenerational healing. My approach draws from psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, multicultural psychology, LGBTQ-affirming care, and trauma-informed practice. I’m committed to ongoing growth—both through advanced training and the richness of my own lived experience. As an Arab-American who grew up in Lebanon, I bring a deep, personal understanding of what it means to hold multiple cultural narratives and navigate the complexity and beauty that can bring.

You can expect a space that is warm, grounded, and attuned to the complexities of your inner world. From our very first session, I aim to create an environment where you feel seen—not just for your struggles, but for your strength, insight, and capacity to grow. Together, we’ll explore what brings you in, what matters to you, and where you feel stuck or disconnected. Some sessions may feel emotionally charged and illuminating, while others may be quieter, reflective, or exploratory. All of it is part of the process.

Our work together might include identifying and shifting unhelpful beliefs, grieving losses, untangling identity questions, building emotional regulation skills, or exploring what it means to live a life that feels meaningful and congruent. I offer reflections, ask intentional questions, and invite you into a deeper relationship with yourself—at a pace that feels respectful and empowering. Over time, many clients report feeling more clarity, emotional resilience, and freedom—internally and in how they move through the world.