Sakoon Psychotherapy

Hi there! I’m Mariam Saparamadu. I am a therapist, an educator and a mom. I am passionate about working with minorities and immigrants to help bridge gaps between cultures and generations. I am a second generation Pakistani American. 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 other South Asian kids, I started out as a pre-med student. I had a love for biology and social justice and had a natural talent for being a good listener. After undergrad, I spent time doing clinical research, learning about myself through my own therapy, and traveling before I decided to pursue a masters 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 view dysfunctional behavior as an adaptive behavior that is no longer adaptive. I am interested in how intergenerational trauma travels through generations and impacts individuals, specifically their relationships. I believe that healing starts with awareness that something is no longer serving us. I believe that talk therapy is just one way of working through hard things and that there are many other ways to heal from trauma.

 

In 2021, amidst a pandemic, I started Sakoon Psychotherapy. With the help of my dear friend, Dr. Hasti Raveau, I set out to create a culturally inclusive practice that I wish had existed when I was younger. My goal is to destigmatize mental health through education, advocacy and accessible care. ​I truly love the work I do and feel honored to work alongside clients.

 

In my free time you’ll find me spending time outdoors with my husband and 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 :)