Akilia Fadhel, LMSW

Psychotherapist

Are you ready to stop managing life and start living it?

Do you find yourself caught in a cycle of high-functioning anxiety, meeting the demands of your career and your community while feeling increasingly disconnected from your own needs? Or have past traumatic experiences shaken you and left you questioning your goals, your relationships, or even yourself? Whether you’re navigating the weight of perfectionism, past trauma, or the exhaustion of carrying long-standing expectations, relief is possible.

Many of us have learned to survive by staying strong, productive, and composed, even at the expense of our own well-being. Over time, this can leave you feeling stuck in patterns of hypervigilance, self-doubt, or self-criticism, unsure how to slow down or tend to what you actually need. Simply getting through the day can feel like an accomplishment, even as part of you longs for more ease, connection, and meaning. You don’t have to navigate this weight on your own.

I offer a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can put the armor down and begin moving toward healing at your own pace. In our work together, we’ll take time to understand the roots of what you’re carrying. We’ll explore how past experiences, relationships, and societal pressures or oppression have shaped the ways you protect yourself. From there, we’ll work on developing the tools to feel lighter, build relationships that feel safe and reciprocal, and regain a sense of control over your own life. Whether using a CBT or psychodynamic lens, or a specific technique like EMDR, our work can help you reclaim a sense of agency so your life feels less like something you’re managing and more like something you’re living.

If you’re ready to reclaim your energy and explore a new way of being, I invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation call.

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I specialize in supporting women who are tired of carrying everything on their own. This may include balancing high-pressure careers or complex family dynamics while managing the heavy weight of trauma. Whether you are trying to quiet an inner critic that demands perfection or you are navigating the unique exhaustion of being a woman of color in corporate spaces, I’m here to help. If you are struggling to find your footing in the fast-paced intensity of New York while trying to live for yourself, know that you don’t have to do it alone.
I provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space where we can explore your story with curiosity rather than criticism. My practice integrates evidence-based tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with insight oriented approaches to help us identify the deeper roots of your struggles. I also incorporate a relational and somatic lens to address how stress and systemic pressures live in the body. Together, we will uncover the invisible barriers that have been holding you back. Our goal is to empower you to create a life defined by your own values, genuine fulfillment, and a lasting sense of self-acceptance.