Skip to main content
Headway
Headshot of Zahanara Aktar, LCSW_C

Zahanara Aktar

Therapist
6 years of experience
  • Virtual
  • Anxiety, Depression, Grief or loss, Women's issues, Identity issues
  • Individual therapy

Great to meet you!

I'm a South Asian Muslim woman, a Columbia-trained LCSW, and someone who grew up watching people from various cultures suffer in silence. I became a therapist because I understand how mental health stigma costs people years of their lives, and I believe therapy should be accessible to everyone, not just those who grew up seeing it normalized.

My approach to therapy

I am telehealth-based and fully licensed in Maryland. I work with adults and adolescents navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, women's issues, and the particular weight of living in between cultures. I speak Bangla (Sylheti/Shuddo), Urdu, Hindi, and English fluently, and conversational Spanish— so if English is not your most comfortable language, there is space for you here. I also offer faith-integrated therapy for clients who request it.

What you can expect from me

I strive to create a safe space for clients to navigate the complexities of life and provide an opportunity for their voice to be recognized. Your first session is a conversation. I want to know what brought you in, what you've already tried, and what you hope life will look and feel like on the other side of this work. There is no pressure to disclose more than you're ready for. By the end of the first session, you'll have a sense of whether this is the best fit for you, and I will be able to plan a course of action to tackle the issues you are encountering. I look forward to working with you on this journey of healing.

About me

  • I identify as
    South Asian, Cisgender Woman
  • My style is
    Empowering, Humorous, Holistic

Qualification and insurance

  • Years of experience
    6 years of experience
  • Training
    MS (Master of Science) at Columbia School of Social Work
  • License type
    LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Clinical) (Maryland)
  • Licensed in
  • Insurance accepted
    Aetna, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid Atlantic

Cost

Care details

  • Top specialties
    Anxiety, Depression, Grief or loss, Women's issues, Identity issues
  • More specialties
    Family issues, Stress management, Cultural & ethnic issues, Maternal mental health, Relationship issues, Trauma, PTSD
  • Therapy methods
    Narrative Therapy, Art Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing (CPT), Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Focused CBT, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Strength-Based, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
  • Care types
    Individual therapy
  • Ages served
    Adults, Adolescents
  • Languages
    English, Bengali, Urdu, Hindi