Salma Elkadi Abugideiri, LPC
Clinical Director
My Story
I grew up watching my parents provide informal community counseling for many people experiencing various life challenges. I realized that these individuals, couples, and families were seeking help that was spiritually and culturally relevant to Muslim families and that those professional services did not exist at the time. I had an interest in human behavior and was fascinated by the brain. Even when I was a child, people seemed to be comfortable telling me their stories. As I got older, I decided I wanted to serve Muslims by becoming a therapist and facilitating access to mental health services.
Educational Background
I started my journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a double major in Near Eastern Studies from Indiana University. When my children were young, I started teaching Sunday school and tutoring. I also taught English as a second language through Fairfax County Adult Education. I discovered I loved teaching and began a Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language. After two courses, I returned to my original plan and changed my degree to Counseling and Human Development. I received my Master’s degree from George Mason University, then completed a post-Master’s Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Tech.
I completed training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) in 2009 and became certified as an Imago Relationship Therapist in 2016. I’ve also completed Level 1 Training in the Gottman Method and am certified in PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program). I am currently in Level 1 Training for IFS (Internal Family Systems).
Clinical Experience
I was fortunate to find an internship program at the Center for Multicultural Human Services (CMHS), where I began my clinical training in 1995. As a non-profit agency in northern VA that served new immigrants, refugees, and political asylees, CMHS served a diverse population, allowing me to work primarily with Muslims from around the world. I had the opportunity to work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing a wide range of issues, including trauma caused by childhood abuse, intimate partner violence, spiritual abuse, war trauma, and torture. My clients taught me that faith and spirituality can be a tremendous resource for healing, and they showed me the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
In addition to providing counseling at the agency, I provided home-based services and worked with at-risk students in local high schools. As an Arabic-speaking therapist, I often provided interpreting and case management for clients engaging with social, legal, and psychiatric services. I also became a trainer, helping therapists, social service providers, attorneys, and other professionals provide culturally sensitive services to Muslim and Middle Eastern clients.
I continued to work at CMHS for several years as I pursued licensure. I worked there part-time while I slowly built a private practice. I have almost 30 years of clinical experience and have been in private practice since 2001. In 2021, I transitioned my solo practice to Wellness Through Counseling.
Areas of Expertise
I enjoy working with adults seeking to improve their mental well-being and who are motivated to make changes in their lives. I help people suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, the results of any kind of trauma (spiritual, relationship, war, etc.), family conflict, and many other issues. I provide individual, couples, and family therapy.
I also enjoy supervising and mentoring therapists seeking to provide spiritually and culturally relevant counseling services to Muslims, who remain an underserved population.
My Approach
I believe that everyone has the capacity to heal and change, especially with compassionate and non-judgmental support. I approach my work from a competency, strength-based lens and enjoy helping people discover and maximize their resources, both internal and external. Internal resources include self-awareness and insights, personal strengths, and spirituality. External resources include friends, family, colleagues, community, exercise, nutrition, support groups, reading, journaling, prayer, etc.
I use an integrative client-centered approach, incorporating what I’ve learned from various models along the way. Ultimately, my goal is for clients to feel seen and heard and to tap into their internal resources so they can become the best version of themselves.
Fees
50 Minute Sessions: $190
90 Minute Sessions: $270
Please, click on the link below to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation for us to learn more about you or your child and to see if we are a good fit for your needs.
During our call, we can address any questions you may have and help you get started.
We look forward to connecting with you soon!