Zainah Ben Essa, LMHC, M.Ed., MA

Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Psychotherapist

Biography

Zainah Ben Essa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Psychotherapist who works with individuals from diverse cultural and identity backgrounds, helping them explore themselves on a deeper level. Having lived both in Kuwait and the United States, Zainah brings a rich cultural understanding and nuanced sensitivity to her practice. She provides individual, couples, and group therapy, and actively participates in community and corporate outreach to normalize conversations around mental health.

Zainah holds two master's degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Psychological Counseling from Columbia University, with a specialization in Women, Gender, and Sexuality. She holds a clinical license to practice from the state of New York and has completed training in Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (AF-EMDR). With expertise in trauma, relationship dynamics, identity formation, and acculturation issues, Zainah integrates therapeutic approaches such as psychodynamic therapy, narrative therapy, and somatic therapy and tailors treatment based on the client's specific needs. She is also undergoing extensive training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT).

Zainah's approach emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as the cornerstone of successful therapy. She encourages open dialogue, values client feedback, and incorporates clients' interests into the therapeutic process.

Outside of therapy, Zainah enjoys reading, practicing yoga and Pilates, traveling, cooking nostalgic meals, and cherishing time with her loved ones.

Education and Training

• M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling
• MA in Psychological Counseling
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor, New York State
• Training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Ongoing training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)

Specialty and Approach

Zainah's work blends psychodynamic, narrative, and somatic approaches, with a focus on trauma, identity, relationship dynamics, and acculturation challenges. She prioritizes creating a safe, empathetic, and culturally attuned space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported.

She helps clients with:

• Trauma (relational trauma, single-incident trauma, developmental trauma, PTSD and CPTSD)
• Relationship, attachment work, and couples therapy
• Identity exploration and acculturation issues
• Anxiety, depression, and stress management
• Self-awareness and personal growth

Fluent in English and Arabic, Zainah brings a culturally sensitive perspective to all her therapeutic work.