AMANAH FAMILY COUNSELING, LLC
Najwa Awad, LCSW-C, PMH-C
Psychotherapy Specialties
Trauma
Working with trauma requires sensitivity, empathy, and a comprehensive understanding of evidence-based practices. Over the past 15 years, I have gained extensive experience in addressing a wide range of trauma-related issues and developing effective strategies for supporting individuals in their healing process. I utilize traditional psychotherapy approaches, as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, to provide comprehensive care tailored to each individual's needs.
EMDR is a specialized therapeutic technique that has shown effectiveness in treating trauma-related symptoms. It involves using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help individuals process and reframe traumatic memories or experiences. EMDR can be particularly helpful in reducing distressing symptoms, improving emotional regulation, and promoting healing.
Maternal Mental Health
I'm a certified perinatal mental health specialist and work collaboratively with women and their families to address emotional well-being and facilitate healthy adjustment to the changes and challenges that come with the perinatal period. These challenges can include prenatal and postpartum depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mood or adjustment disorders related to pregnancy and early parenthood.
My expertise extends to areas such as maternal mental health, infant bonding, attachment, parenting support, and self-care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.
Scrupulosity or Waswasah
I provide specialized support and treatment for Muslims suffering from scrupulosity and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Scrupulosity is characterized by obsessions and compulsions centered around religious beliefs and/or practices, often leading to excessive guilt, anxiety, and distress.
I am knowledgeable about the specific religious and cultural context in which these obsessions and compulsions manifest and provide spiritually sensitive care. My approach utilizes Islamic texts and evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and EMDR to address the obsessions and compulsions associated with scrupulosity.