LEARNING JOURNEY

Rather than listing my credentials, I want to share my journey in education, which was deeply personal before it became career-focused.

In 1997, I completed the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (I.G.S.E.) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where I was born and raised. After finishing high school in Canada in 2001, I was eager to explore the world and the complexities of how we relate to our environment and each other. My first day at university coincided with 9/11, an event that profoundly shaped my perspective on society and faith, sparking years of questioning and growth.

In 2006, I earned a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies (B.E.S.) with a minor in English Literature from York University in Toronto. My curiosity led me to pursue a Master of Arts in English Literature (M.A.) at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) in 2010. Through literature, I began exploring the spiritual dimension of human existence and our connection to something greater.

After completing my Master’s, I spent years delving into various spiritual and psychological traditions. I found meaning and depth in Sufism (which continues to be a rich source of soul-nourishing ancestral wisdom) while exploring connections with other paths, especially Buddhism. This exploration revealed the vital link between mental health and spirituality, leading me to transpersonal psychology, which integrates these two dimensions of human experience.

In 2017, I began Ph.D. courses in Transpersonal Psychology at San Francisco’s California Institute of Integral Studies, exploring states of consciousness and their profound impact on mental health and healing. I also trained in existential-integrative psychotherapy in Toronto, a modality that combines different aspects of depth work, including Jungian psychology. Additionally, I became involved in research and studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, focusing on harm reduction and integration.

While completing my Ph.D. coursework, I shifted my focus. I opted for a second Master's degree in East-West Psychology (M.A.) instead, which aligned with my desire to work with people rather than write a dissertation.

In July 2024, I graduated from a rigorous and competitive program in the U.K. with a postgraduate diploma in Islamic Psychology (Pg.D.), which today adds depth and nuance to my approach. Personally, it was coming full circle for my healing and my work, which is still informed by other traditions and perspectives, allowing me to connect with people of different backgrounds.

I’m currently training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidence-based, trauma-informed modality that deepens my ability to support clients in exploring their inner parts. I completed Level 1 in February 2025 and now integrate IFS into my work with my clients.

My healing journey is an integral part of my education. Over the past seven years, I have been in Jungian analysis and engaged in various practices, including sitting with the plant medicine Ayahuasca in South America, participating in a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat, and practicing Holotropic Breathwork. These experiences are vital to my professional training, helping me show up authentically in the therapy room.

I'm currently working on a creative nonfiction book I am very excited about. It will also be part memoir of my rather long and complicated journey while sharing knowledge about inner work.

Feel free to explore my online publications, including the Transpersonal Journals, which touch upon essential topics in my field, and The Salikah Alchemist, a new project on psychologically analyzing sacred texts.

Like my clients, I am dedicated to understanding myself better, healing my trauma, breaking generational cycles, and creating meaning. My education, personal growth, and commitment to helping others are ongoing.