Rate Hassan Abdullah

About me:

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) with nearly ten years of experience supporting individuals from diverse cultural, racial, socio-economic, educational, faith-based and non-faith based backgrounds. I’ve worked in inpatient and outpatient community mental health settings, as well as online, helping clients navigate a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, relational or work-related goals, cultural or familial stress, infidelity, self-esteem and self-care challenges, attachment and communication issues, systemic issues, trauma and abuse, spirituality matters, relationship challenges, and major life transitions.

My Background:

I migrated from Bangladesh when I was five years old and have personally experienced many transitions, cultural adjustments, and identity shifts. My background includes navigating physical/emotional abuse, bullying, and witnessing interpersonal violence—experiences which have deepened my empathy and insight into trauma and recovery. I also know what it’s like to live between dual identities, to face cultural and familial pressure to excel, and to cope with the stigma of seeking mental-health support within one’s community. My own healing journey has shown me how powerful it is to be seen, heard, and supported. That’s why I’m passionate about breaking the silence, reducing stigma, and normalizing mental-health care—especially for communities that have been historically underserved or misunderstood.

My Philosophy:

I believe therapy is a space to rediscover your voice, reconnect with your strengths, and create lasting change. You don’t have to walk this path alone. You don't have to do it perfectly, and it's okay. Two steps forward, and one step back is okay. I'm here with you. Healing is possible—and thriving is too. Taking the first step to reach out takes courage, and I honour that. I look forward to walking alongside you toward greater clarity, balance and emotional freedom.

My therapeutic style is integrative and collaborative:

Depending on your unique needs and goals, I draw from evidence-based approaches including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Attachment-Based and Narrative Therapy

Existential Therapy

Family Systems Therapy

Trauma-Informed Care

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Solution-Focused Therapy

Client-Centered Therapy

Motivational Interviewing

Substance Use / Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

I believe in a client-centered approach:

You are the expert in your own life and story, and I am here to create a safe, welcoming, empathic, attentive space in which you can reflect, heal, and grow. Many clients have told me this presence helped them take the next step toward healing and empowerment.

What to expect in our sessions/first session:

In our sessions you can expect a thoughtful balance of flexibility and structure, of gentleness and directness, and of intentionality and active engagement rather than passivity.

First session is assessment and intake. I will be gathering information from you together with building rapport and a better understanding, while trying to gather a whole picture perspective. This will help me truly understand and provide a wholesome treatment option together with getting to diagnosis of the problem at hand and potential solutions.

Flexibility: we’ll tailor pace, format, or modality as needed—deep reflection, lighter check-in, or a shift in focus.

Structure & progress tracking: in each session we’ll check in on noticeable changes (positive or negative), explore your goals, identify barriers or roadblocks, and clarify your needs, expectations and supports.

Feedback loop: near the end of each session we pause to reflect—what felt helpful, what might you want differently—and I’ll invite your direct feedback.

Post-session survey: following our work you’ll receive an anonymous survey so you can privately reflect on your experience, your progress toward goals, and what you would like to do differently—your feedback helps me refine the support I provide.

Goal-reflection opportunity: the combination of check-in, structured discussion and survey gives you a dedicated space not just to process, but to track change over time and stay aligned with your evolving goals.