The Heart Behind the Haven
Hi! I’m Zehra, I’m so glad you are here. I’m a first-generation Pakistani-American therapist who has called D.C. home for over a decade, with roots shaped by both East and West (and a bit of Southern homebody along the way).
I became a therapist after growing up as a teen who frequently felt overwhelmed, flooded by emotions, unsure of her cultural identity (am I Pakistani enough? Or too American? Am I more of one than the other?) were questions I’d often ask myself). No one told me then that my anxiety, sensitivity, and reactivity were all normal responses. That absence of understanding then is what later fed my curiosity for clinical social work and different forms of therapy.
Before expanding into private practice, I spent my early career as a school therapist within D.C. Public Schools, working with children from kindergarten to pre-adolescence and supporting families navigating stressors like divorce, systemic barriers, and significant loss. It was in these spaces that I witnessed the power of community care on mental health.
I am a multilingual therapist as I speak Urdu/Hindi and bring a multicultural and identity-conscious lens to my work. I care deeply about helping people reconnect with their inner voice, honor their lived experiences, and feel less alone in the complexities of navigating identity, culture, family, and belonging.
Outside the therapy room, you can find me playing tennis, on a group hike with my dog, or baking a fresh batch of banana chocolate chip muffins.
My background.
Degrees & Licenses
I received my B.A. in Peace and Justice Studies with a concentration in Trauma and Therapy for Victims of War and Conflict from Wellesley College in 2015. I continued my education and received a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Social Work from Columbia University in New York City in 2019.
I have worked in a variety of settings including elementary schools within DC Public Schools (DCPS), hospitals, in group private practice, recovery centers abroad, and national crisis hotlines.
Additional Trainings & Certifications
I have completed trainings in inner child work, Gottman Level I for couples therapy (certification in process), and Internal Family Systems. I continue to regularly attend workshops and conferences to stay attuned to emerging research and approaches that I feel could be integral for my clients and the work we do together in therapy.
“Kintsugi: a repair technique in which the ceramic pieces are put back together to form a new whole; the ‘scars’ are then covered with gold. All things are unique - breakage is not the end.”
The Inner Haven Philosophy
The Inner Haven
I’d like for you to think of the Inner Haven as a metaphor for a home that lives within you - it has always been there, for as long as you can remember. As a home - not just a structure or house. This home, or inner haven, needs regular maintenance, occasional foundational checks, and a garden that could use some nurturing too (okay so maybe imagine a cute row home in DC or somewhere out in the burbs - you get my vibe).
I believe each of us carries an inner home shaped by our histories, identities, and the stories we learned to tell about ourselves. For many high-functioning professionals, first-generation adults, or those who grew up being “the responsible one,” that inner haven often gets built for survival, less so calm respites, relaxation, and peaceful getaways.
So where does therapy come in? Therapy is where we explore those foundations. We examine: What needs reinforcing? What needs softening? What needs to be rewritten or even rewired due to how the home was built? Most importantly, what makes this home distinctly the way it is, and should be preserved?
My Style
My approach is collaborative, structured, and tailored to your needs. I come to session ready to do a lot of active listening and my own note-taking by hand so that I can track patterns and provide gentle pushback through open-ended questions and motivational interviewing. I integrate CBT, ACT, inner child–informed work, and strengths-based, trauma-informed practices. I also don’t believe in overwhelming clients with homework. Instead, I offer additional optional resources you can utilize in between sessions to keep the momentum going.
Therapy with me is paced around your needs and your goals, I focus on helping you understand patterns, develop practical coping strategies, and build self-trust. Sessions are a place to think clearly, process openly, and explore new ways of relating to yourself and others without pressure or judgment.
Note: any and all notes are stored securely and do not contain PHIs (protected health information) or PIIs (personally identifiable information)
My Clinical Philosophy
Centering accountability, integrity, and clinical ethics is foundational to how I practice. I aim to show up for clients the way I hope my own therapist would show up for me: with transparency, attunement, and honesty. I also believe that modeling strong accountability is one way we create meaningful, community-level change.
A few core beliefs guide my work:
1. Therapists are human and inherently biased.
Our work together is a learning process, and ultimately, I want you to outgrow me. You know your path better than anyone.
2. Therapists can make mistakes and should be held accountable.
Feedback is welcome and encouraged. If voicing needs or setting boundaries feels difficult, therapy can be a safe place to practice this.
3. The therapeutic relationship is mutual.
Over the years, I’ve learned as much from my clients as they have from me. I hold deep gratitude for the insight and trust clients bring into the room.
We love pomegranates!
Throughout my life, the act of ‘cleaning’ a pomegranate started to hold more weight. It evolved into a mindfulness practice during times of stress as the repetition would ground me. Its firm outer shell but delicate interior reminded me that healing often begins by tending to what’s within. The Inner Haven’s logo is a gentle nod to my nani and to honor that practice of nourishment, patience, and inner strength.