How it all began
Sameera started her career in 2007 as a school-based Occupational Therapist, working directly with students, teachers, and families within Islamic and public schools. After 13 years at non-profits in leadership positions, she founded her own business, focused on online education and therapy services for Muslims, addressing spiritual, mental, and sexual health.
My Story
Centering the soul for sexual health education for Muslims…
The first sexual health curriculum Sameera developed was quite simple: It was a five-lesson program for fifth grade students, at an Islamic school in Canada. She took existing curriculum that public schools were teaching and infused Islamic perspectives and teachings into it. Sameera continued this approach for many years, believing that it was the best (and only!) way to do this work. Fast forward to early 2020, when she had a profound realization…
The soul was missing.
Sameera’s approach to sexual health education is “inside-out” or “bottom-up.” Which means that sexual health education and therapy for Muslims MUST be framed with the soul.
Comprehensive & Accessible Online Learning
Most Muslims have not had access to comprehensive and holistic sexual health education. Parents may have opted their children out of sexual health classes in schools; mosques often don’t provide sexual health education through youth programming; and unfortunately, most Muslims are learning about sexual health from inaccurate sources. Sameera’s goal is to build an online library of practical and accessible sexual health resources, which Muslims can use from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.
Learn more about Sameera’s values for her work…
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I walk the talk and demonstrate integrity through my words and actions. How you see me online on social media is how I am when we meet during therapy – I am the same person in all spaces. I believe that honesty and trust-building are essential to my work.
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We are human beings, not human doings, and authentic connections are very important to me. I am completely myself with clients in terms of my presence and how I show up - I’m a human too who has also experienced difficulty. At the same time, I stay true to my values and this also means setting boundaries as needed.
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As a clinician, I am grounded in the reality of clients’ needs. As a systems-level thinker, I identify gaps and stumbling blocks from a birds’ eye view. Switching between these two roles – and the many others in between – provides me with keen insights and a roadmap of the journey ahead. We won’t just be talking for an hour - we’ll be figuring out the what, why, and how as well.
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Having been in a place where I’ve felt alone, I know very well how so many clients feel. I’ve been there. Compassion is a necessary part of healing - you will feel held, supported, and heard at a deep level. And we need compassion in order to hold ourselves accountable for the inner work required to heal.
Sameera’s Additional Roles
In addition to her private practice therapeutic and educational services, Sameera is a contracted Wellness Advisor with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Sexuality Education, and is a co-author of three upcoming book chapters. Sameera is a sought-out speaker and trainer for her subject matter expertise.