I completed my graduate education in Counseling Psychology (MA Columbia University; Ph.D. University of Southern California). I have over 20 years of experience working in a wide variety of both clinical and non clinical settings, in Canada, the US, and in Spain. I have worked in a public hospital, private practice, an international university, and a community mental health clinic with people from all over the world confronting a variety of life, existential, and mental health issues. I am a keen student of psychotherapy; I am always striving to learn more and expand my skills and capacity to provide effective services. I have also had the opportunity to provide training and supervision to younger psychotherapists, which provides for a tremendous learning experience.
I was trained in existential-phenomenological, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches, and in recent years have been exploring relational approaches as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. To that end I identify myself as an “integrationist”; I think all approaches provide us with useful frameworks and tools that can help lead to the sorts of changes that clients are interested in. As a therapist, I see two compatible paths to the healing process, which can be followed in the combination and at the pace that works best for the client. Self-understanding and making sense of the distress one experiences is a central part of many therapies. Having an idea of why we feel the way we do is very helpful and can be liberating. At the same time, we also need to have specific strategies that we can realistically apply to effect the sorts of changes we are looking for in our lives, be it reducing the negative impact of anxiety or low sef-esteem, or changing problematic behaviors in the context of relationships, substance use, procratination, and self-harm.
There is no one correct way forward, and as the therapeutic process develops it helpful to have the flexibilty to shift directions. Effective therapy is not easy; facing oneself with honesty and compassion is tremendously challenging, and it is the therapist’s job to accompany and support patients in this process.
I am a Canadian of Swiss and Pakistani descent. I have lived in Barcelona for 20 years. Much of my professional life has been dedicated to developing effective approaches to “cultural competence” with the goal of liberating people from their psychological and social traps. As an educator, researcher, and therapist I am very interested in dynamics of culture, race, gender, sexual orientation and immigration. For me, empathic connection is the foundation of effective therapy and indeed psychological well-being. I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to work as a psychotherapist and educator, jobs that I thoroughly enjoy and find very meaningful. I have the good fortune to live very close to nature and I enjoy spending time hiking or jogging in the forest.
I am an English-speaking psychologist and psychotherapist in Barcelona in psychological therapies for adults and older adults.
Overall
Adil was both kind and professional. He was a terrific listener and asked pertinent questions occasionally. He was patient and responded to me as he saw fit. He was believable and let me talk as much as I needed. He had a great affect on me and gave me the support I needed.
Overall
My experience with Adil has been invaluable. Adil is professional, genuinely caring, and helpful. Thank you very much Adil for your help, I feel much better now.
