Our Michigan-based practice supports young people from minority and immigrant backgrounds by empowering them to navigate the unique challenges they face across cultures and generations
संस्कृतियों और पीढ़ियों के बीच सामंजस्य स्थापित करना • creating harmony between cultures and generations • ਸਭਿਆਚਾਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਤਾਲਮੇਲ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨਾ • ثقافتوں اور نسلوں کے درمیان ہم آہنگی پیدا کرنا •
Trauma informed & culturally sensitive mental health care
sakoon سکون
(urdu, n.) a sense of inner peace, serenity, and comfort, often used to describe a state of mental or emotional ease
our services
Individual Therapy
Our therapists offer flexible scheduling to accommodate busy lifestyles. Sessions are billed to insurance (BCBS, BCN and Aetna). The out of pocket cost ranges from $100-$200 per session depending on your therapist. Sliding fee scale option is also available. Over time, psychotherapy can foster emotional resilience, improve relationships, and enhance overall well-being.
Individual Therapy is a collaborative process where individuals work with a trained therapist to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, aiming to address challenges and promote personal growth. Sessions typically last 50 minutes and provide a safe, confidential space to discuss concerns, gain insights, and develop coping strategies. Therapy can be tailored to individual needs, with sessions occurring weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the client's goals and availability.
what to expect
1. Initial Contact
Prospective clients are encouraged to reach out to us by filling out the Consultation Request Form on this site, or reaching out via email at admin@sakoonpsychotherapy.org. If you reach out directly, include your name, contact information and why you are seeking therapy.
2. Phone Consultation
We provide a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to explore the prospective client’s treatment or testing needs, share details about our practice and areas of expertise, and assess compatibility while offering referral options if needed.
3. Intake Appointment
The initial 1-4 appointments serve as a comprehensive treatment evaluation, designed to assess clinical needs, determine compatibility, and offer tailored recommendations or referrals if appropriate.
EMDR
During sessions, a therapist guides clients through structured techniques that involve recalling distressing memories while focusing on bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help the brain reprocess and reduce emotional intensity. Many EMDR sessions can be billed to insurance, making it an accessible option for those seeking effective treatment for trauma and related challenges. Over time, EMDR can lead to profound emotional relief and improved quality of life.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences, anxiety, or other emotional distress. Like traditional psychotherapy, EMDR sessions typically last 50 minutes and can occur weekly or bi-weekly, providing a safe and supportive environment for healing.
what to expect
1. Preparation and Assessment
Your therapist will help you establish a sense of safety, understand your treatment goals, and identify specific traumatic memories or issues to focus on during therapy.
2. Processing and Desensitization
Using bilateral stimulation (e.g., guided eye movements or tapping), you’ll work to reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional charge and helping your brain form adaptive associations.
3. Integration and Closure
After reprocessing, your therapist will help you consolidate new insights, ensure you feel grounded, and discuss ways to integrate the positive changes into your daily life.
Psychedelic Integration
Similar to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), psychedelic integration focuses on processing challenging or transformative experiences by revisiting and reframing emotional responses. Both approaches encourage individuals to develop a coherent narrative of their experiences, resolve past trauma, and integrate insights into their present lives. Guided by a skilled therapist, clients in psychedelic integration learn to ground their experiences in daily life, fostering emotional clarity, personal transformation, and healing.
Psychedelic integration sessions offer a therapeutic framework for individuals to process and integrate the insights and emotions arising from psychedelic experiences, whether for personal exploration, healing, or therapeutic growth. These sessions, akin to traditional psychotherapy, are 50 minutes long and can be scheduled weekly or bi-weekly. They provide a safe, supportive environment to explore and make sense of the often profound experiences encountered during psychedelic journeys*.
what to expect
1. Reflection and Exploration
Share and reflect on your psychedelic experience in a safe, non-judgmental space. Your therapist will help you identify key insights, emotions, or challenges that emerged during the journey.
2. Processing and Understanding
Work collaboratively with your therapist to process the experience, exploring its meaning, addressing unresolved emotions, and connecting it to your personal history or current life.
3. Integration and Application
Develop practical strategies to incorporate the lessons and insights from your experience into daily life, fostering personal growth, healing, and emotional clarity.
**It’s important to note that we do not provide or facilitate psychedelic experiences. Instead, these sessions are designed to support individuals in making sense of prior experiences and using them for personal growth. While not typically covered by insurance, these sessions can be a meaningful investment in mental well-being, facilitating growth, self-understanding, and a greater sense of balance.
Group Therapy
This format encourages vulnerability and accountability, as group members provide feedback and support to one another. Over time, you may find that the collective insights and shared experiences foster personal growth, enhance your coping skills, and help reduce feelings of isolation. Overall, group therapy emphasizes the power of connection and collaboration on the journey toward healing.
In group therapy, you can expect to engage in a shared healing experience with others facing similar challenges or life situations. Led by a trained therapist on our team, sessions typically involve open discussions where participants can share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a supportive environment. You'll have the opportunity to listen to others, gain diverse perspectives, and feel a sense of connection and community.
what to expect
1. Initial Contact
Prospective clients are encouraged to reach out to us by filling out the Consultation Request Form on this site, or reaching out via email at admin@sakoonpsychotherapy.org. If you reach out directly, include your name, contact information and why you are seeking therapy.
2. Phone Consultation
We provide a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to explore the prospective client’s treatment or testing needs, share details about our practice and areas of expertise, and assess compatibility while offering referral options if needed.
3. Intake Appointment
The initial 1-4 appointments serve as a comprehensive treatment evaluation, designed to assess clinical needs, determine compatibility, and offer tailored recommendations or referrals if appropriate.
Sakoon was created in 2021 as a refuge for immigrants and minorities struggling with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Our team of compassionate therapists uses a trauma informed and culturally sensitive approach to mental healthcare.
our team
Mariam Hussain, LMSW
she/her
As a second-gen Pakistani American, Mariam is passionate about working with immigrants and minorities to help create harmony between cultures and generations
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education
Wayne State University, Master's in Social Work, 2016
Wayne State University, Bachelor's in Psychology, 2011
my story
Hi there! I’m Mariam Hussain. I am a therapist, a creative and a mom. I provide individual therapy to young adults and adults (18+) that reside in Michigan. I specialize in working with individuals with a history of trauma, anxiety, depression and complex PTSD. I help individuals integrate trauma using a variety of methods including mindfulness based interventions, EMDR, IFS and psychedelic integration. I also provide supervision to LLMSWs seeking licensure in Michigan. I am also available to provide trainings on trauma informed care, decolonizing therapy and culturally inclusive practices.
Growing up, I dealt with struggles that many children of immigrants’ face while being raised in a home far from home. Being too Pakistani for some and too American for others. Finding balance seemed impossible.
I had a nonlinear career path that led to becoming a psychotherapist. Like many, I started out as a pre-med student. I had a love for biology and social justice. My desire to understand the world around me inspired me to pursue a degree in psychology. After undergrad, I spent time doing clinical research, learning about myself through therapy, and traveling before I decided to pursue a Master’s in Social Work.
I have been working as a clinical social worker since 2016. I have interned at the Detroit Police Department and worked at Children’s Hospital of Michigan as a medical social worker. I have an extensive background in trauma informed and culturally sensitive care. I am interested in how intergenerational trauma travels through generations and impacts individuals, specifically their relationships. I view dysfunctional behavior as adaptive behavior that is no longer adaptive. I believe healing starts with the awareness that something is no longer serving us.
In my free time you’ll find me out in nature or creating art with my son. I love reading, drawing, and photography. My ideal day would be spent somewhere on a beach, in a hammock with a book in hand :)
Lydia Mehr Lamba, LMSW
she/her
Lydia works with clients who feel the weight of generational trauma, the pressure of being the parentified sibling, or the struggle of navigating mental health within a culture that often stigmatizes it
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Our Lady of The Lakes University, Master's in Social Work, 2022
my story
You may be carrying anxiety, grief, or the impact of past trauma, and are seeking a space where you don’t have to justify your experiences. My goal is to collaborate in a way that honors your identity, culture, and lived experience—without you leaving parts of yourself behind.
I integrate evidence-based treatments through a culturally focused lens in a warm, conversational setting. Whether you're processing trauma, breaking generational curses, navigating identity struggles, and reclaiming your voice, I aim to offer a supportive, empowering space where healing feels authentic, personal, and deeply validating.
In my free time, you can find me lost in a fantasy book or rewatching New Girl for the 10000th time.
Sarah Peslar, LMSW
she/her
With over 25 years of experience, Sarah is a highly skilled clinician committed to providing culturally competent and affirming care to adults, adolescents, and families
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Wayne State University Master's of Social Work, 2000
Wayne State University Bachelor's in Fine Arts, 1996
my story
I'm a native Michigander and was raised in a multiracial family where I became acutely aware of social injustices from a young age. Whether it was standing up to a school bully or sitting with the friendless kid at lunch, empathy and a desire for equity have always driven me. My passion for creating led me to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture. However, I felt a strong calling to make a deeper, more direct impact on my community.
I worked for a domestic violence shelter and volunteered on a crisis phone line, which further fueled my desire to continue my education. In 2000, I earned my Master’s in Social Work. For the next 23 years, I worked at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where I led a free, school-based health program for predominantly immigrant children. In this role, I had the privilege of working with individuals from over 43 different countries, which enriched my life and broadened my understanding of global cultures and traditions.
Throughout my career, I worked closely with war refugees, families navigating illness, and LGBT+ youth. More recently, I stepped away from a managerial position to focus on connecting directly with individuals again, which I’m really excited about.
In my personal life, I volunteer with a group that supports African migrants and serve as a board member for a local literacy center providing free ESL classes. When I’m practicing self-care, I enjoy spending time with my twin daughters, creating in the ceramics studio, and seeking out spaces near water.
Yoshi Merkhofer, Office Manager
she/her
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my story
supervision for LLMSWs
Our experienced therapists also provide supervision for fellow professionals seeking to deepen their practice. Supervision sessions are structured to ensure alignment with professional standards and help LLMSWs gain confidence in their role.
join our team
If you’re a compassionate, culturally aware therapist looking to join a supportive, safe, and collaborative environment, we’d love to meet you. We’re seeking pre-licensed and licensed clinicians (LLMSW, LCSW, MFT) who share our commitment to helping clients navigate the complexities of identity, family, and cultural expectations.
work with us
I don't live in Michigan. Can I still work with you?
Due to licensing guidelines, we are only able to provide care to individuals that reside in Michigan.
How much does a session cost? What insurances do you take?
A session costs between $100-$200 depending on who your clinician is and what service they are providing.
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Blue Care Network (BCN), Aetna, Priority Health, and private pay.
Do you accept Out of Network insurance?
Check with your insurance to see if they cover an out of network provider. We are able to provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
Do you provide a sliding fee scale?
Yes! We aim to make mental health services accessible. A sliding fee scale is a flexible payment system based on your income, financial situation, or household size.
frequently asked questions
we'd be honored to join you on your wellness journey, and we can't wait to hear your story