Mohammad Ali Zafar, LCSW/LICSW

Hello! My name is Mohammad Ali Zafar, and I am the founder and lead therapist at Ajwa Counseling, a counseling practice focused on prioritizing mental and relational wellness from a multicultural and evidence-based clinical counseling perspective. Our practice derives its name from the ajwa date, a fruit known to many around the world for its medicinal and spiritual healing properties. It is a symbol to billions and a reminder for our practice to always provide holistic, culturally-attuned, and knowledgeable mental health care and relational support. __________________ PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I am a fully licensed independent clinical social worker in the States of Texas, Florida, Georgia and Massachusetts. I offer mental health counseling and couples marriage counseling to clients who reside in any of those four states. I completed my Bachelors of Science (BS) in Psychology from the University of Florida and my Masters in Clinical Social Work (MSW) from Florida State University and hold a certification in crisis intervention and suicide prevention by the American Association of Suicidology. I have been working in the mental health field for over a decade and have held positions in a variety of clinical settings serving diverse populations. My clinical counseling experience has come from working at a suicide prevention crisis center, psychiatric hospital's crisis stabilization unit, high school mental health counseling program, addiction & forensic treatment center, pediatric hospital's social work division, university counseling center, and as a counseling preceptor, supervisor, and justice and equity outreach coordinator. __________________ PERSONAL BACKGROUND: I was born and raised in Florida to parents who immigrated to the United States from Pakistan many decades ago. I have a big family and am a proud husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. I am a practicing Muslim and Islam is a big part of my life, though I know many forms of religion as they are culturally practiced today have either felt harmful to some and beautiful to others. With that said, I do my best to be mindful of my clients' varying beliefs and identities, and the last thing I ever would want to do is marginalize or “other” people for who they are and who they want to be. I know personally, professionally, and socially the harm further marginalizing people's identities can be and is why much of my practice expertise is related to positive identity development and healing from discriminatory trauma. __________________ HOW I PRACTICE: I practice therapy in a culturally collaborative way - I aim to listen well, care deeply, guide with humility and expertise, and remain non-judgmental. In therapy, I use a trauma informed lens and tend to practice in a way that we sometimes can both cry and laugh in the same session. I hope to always be attuned to differing client needs and aim to build and foster our clinical relationship as we as mental health providers know that without a strong relationship with folks it's difficult to make progress in therapy. __________________ CLIENTS SERVED: I provide mental health counseling services via telehealth to individuals(aged 13+) and marriage counseling to couples. __________________ CLIENT PORTAL, SESSIONS, AND CONFIDENTIALITY: When you schedule your first appointment, you will be given access to the client portal where in you will be able to securely access all aspects of your counseling including scheduling, communication, forms, payments and records. Sessions will be conducted via a secure telehealth video platform. All aspects of your participation in counseling at Ajwa Counseling, including the content of our sessions are kept confidential as required by federal and state law governing mental health care. __________________ RATES & INSURANCE: Initial and ongoing Individual Sessions (50 minutes): $150 Couples Marriage Counseling Sessions(50 minutes): $200 As a service to anyone, I offer an initial 20 minute phone consultation at no charge. You can schedule this on the website under the "request appointment" tab. If you do not see any available time, my schedule is fully booked; however, you may email me directly at support@ajwacounseling.com and my team and I can try and assist you that way. Ajwa Counseling is an out-of-network, fee-for-service practice. The services offered by me as a licensed therapist are covered by many health insurance plans as "out-of-network" benefits. I can provide you with a ‘superbill’ after you have received services. A superbill is a specialized invoice, which includes the procedure coding, diagnosis coding and session dates that your insurance carrier will need in order to reimburse you. Please check your out-of-network benefit coverage with your insurance company prior to utilizing this option. __________________ DIRECT CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: support@ajwacounseling.com Phone# 832-802-8071 __________________ I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you.