Saila Akhtar, LMHC
Compassionate LMHC for meaningful life change
- Stress and anxiety
- Family and relationships
- Trauma and recovery
About Saila Akhtar
Saila Akhtar is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Florida with eight years of clinical experience supporting individuals and families through a wide range of life challenges. She holds LMHC licensure in Florida (FL LMHC MH18925) and New York (NY LMHC 008338). An LMHC is a licensed clinician trained to provide psychotherapy and counseling for emotional, behavioral, and relational concerns.
Saila has worked extensively with at-risk children and their families as well as adults facing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting stress, career transitions, ADHD, substance use, trauma, and abuse. Her practice also addresses concerns related to grief, self-esteem, intimacy, anger, and coping with major life changes. She brings experience with both individual and family dynamics, including blended family challenges, adoption and foster care matters, and family-of-origin patterns.
Her therapeutic stance is interactive and person-centered, focused on building strong rapport and offering a respectful, sensitive, and compassionate environment for open dialogue. Saila integrates evidence-based methods including cognitive behavioral techniques and dialectical strategies alongside client-centered principles to tailor a treatment plan to each person’s unique needs and goals.
She approaches therapy as a collaborative process, partnering with clients to identify priorities, develop practical skills, and support sustainable change. For those ready to explore growth and healing, Saila offers an empathic, goal-oriented framework to help navigate challenges and strengthen resilience.
Saila has worked extensively with at-risk children and their families as well as adults facing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting stress, career transitions, ADHD, substance use, trauma, and abuse. Her practice also addresses concerns related to grief, self-esteem, intimacy, anger, and coping with major life changes. She brings experience with both individual and family dynamics, including blended family challenges, adoption and foster care matters, and family-of-origin patterns.
Her therapeutic stance is interactive and person-centered, focused on building strong rapport and offering a respectful, sensitive, and compassionate environment for open dialogue. Saila integrates evidence-based methods including cognitive behavioral techniques and dialectical strategies alongside client-centered principles to tailor a treatment plan to each person’s unique needs and goals.
She approaches therapy as a collaborative process, partnering with clients to identify priorities, develop practical skills, and support sustainable change. For those ready to explore growth and healing, Saila offers an empathic, goal-oriented framework to help navigate challenges and strengthen resilience.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImmigration issuesImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Saila Akhtar have?
Saila Akhtar has 8 years of experience.
Is Saila Akhtar a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Her license details are FL LMHC MH18925 and NY LMHC 008338.
In which languages does Saila Akhtar provide therapy?
Saila Akhtar provides therapy in English.
Where is Saila Akhtar located?
She is located in Florida.
How can I work with Saila Akhtar as my therapist?
You can work with Saila Akhtar through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Saila Akhtar work with international clients?
Saila Akhtar does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Saila Akhtar cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support
Saila uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive, empathetic space where clients guide the pace and focus of sessions; this approach helps with self-exploration, relationship concerns, and building emotional insight. She also employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and reshape unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which is effective for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. In addition, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills are used to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for clients struggling with intense emotions or relationship challenges.
Determining the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Saila collaborates with each client to find methods that match their needs, goals, and personal preferences. She combines techniques as appropriate and adjusts the plan over time to support progress in a way that feels manageable and meaningful.
Online therapy with Saila is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules, travel, or those who prefer remote care. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into daily life, and access support from wherever clients are located within her service area.