How it Began
Sameera started her career in 2007 as a school-based Occupational Therapist. Through a journey that can only be defined as “Divinely planned and guided,” Sameera founded Sexual Health for Muslims in 2020. You can learn more about her professional journey below.
My Story
2007 - 2015: My Journey into Mental and Sexual Health Expertise
My journey as an Occupational Therapist began at the intersections of mental health, sexual health, and education. Over eight years at Renfrew Educational Services in Calgary, Canada, I immersed myself in work that shaped not only my professional expertise but also my vision for holistic, soul-centered care.
As a Mental Health Project Coordinator, I led the development and implementation of a government-funded program across fifteen schools, addressing mental and sexual health education for students, families, educators, and service providers. My work involved everything from needs assessments to strategic planning, fostering collaboration across education, health, welfare, and political advocacy systems. At its heart, this role was about weaving together practical solutions with meaningful education—advancing mental health awareness, abuse prevention, and sexual health education in Muslim communities.
In my role as a School-Based Occupational Therapist, I provided direct care and support for students with varying needs, working closely with teachers, parents, and multidisciplinary therapy teams. Whether through assessments, therapy planning, or classroom interventions, my focus was always on creating safe, empowering spaces for children to thrive—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
This foundational experience affirmed the expansive nature of Occupational Therapy. OT isn’t confined to physical rehabilitation; it extends seamlessly into mental and sexual health therapy, offering practical, solutions-focused care that addresses the mind, body, and soul. By integrating therapy, education, and program development, I learned how to bridge gaps between systems, meet individuals where they are, and empower communities to navigate challenges with intention and resilience.
2015 - 2020: Education, Advocacy, and Trauma-Informed Care
The next chapter of my professional journey deepened my commitment to sexual health education and trauma-informed therapeutic care. As a Director of Education for a Muslim-led national non-profit, I developed strategic programming to address sexual health and violence prevention at both local and national levels. This role allowed me to merge evidence-based practices with community-driven needs, creating curricula and resources that empowered individuals and fostered meaningful cross-sector collaborations with attorneys, service providers, and community leaders. Facilitating professional development trainings—online and in person—solidified my belief in education as a catalyst for healing and prevention.
During my simultaneous time as a School-Based Occupational Therapist in Washington, DC, I continued to integrate trauma-informed practices into therapy and education. Working within school systems, I partnered closely with psychologists, social workers, and educators to support students navigating diverse challenges. Whether through individualized, small group, or classroom interventions, I focused on creating safe, inclusive spaces where children could learn, grow, and heal.
This period reinforced my understanding that meaningful change lies at the intersection of systems, education, and direct care. By combining strategic program development with therapeutic expertise, I have continued to center the needs of individuals and communities—guiding them toward empowerment, resilience, and holistic well-being.
2020 - Present: Soulful Sexual Health for Muslims
In late 2019, at the Reviving the Islamic Spirit conference in Toronto, Canada, a moment of deep reflection transformed my approach to sexual health education. I began to question why many Muslims struggle with abstinence, pornography use, and shame around sex, often leaving them unable to experience intimacy as a sacred act of worship (ibadah) in marriage. Most sexual health education in Muslim spaces focuses on prohibitions—the letter of the law—but rarely explores the spirit of the law that honors sexual intimacy as a reflection of Divine blessings.
It was then that I realized the soul had been missing from my work, and this led me to reorient my work from within the Islamic tradition, grounding it in spirituality and psychology. In mid-2020, I resigned from my non-profit position and founded Sexual Health for Muslims. I simultaneously immersed myself in classical and contemporary scholarship and formalized my studies by graduating from the Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Psychology Program at Cambridge Muslim College in 2022. I continue to receive formal mentorship and learning from Islamic scholars versed in various facets of our faith tradition.
With over sixteen years of experience in mental and sexual health therapy and education for Muslim communities, I now integrate evidence-based practices with the spiritual essence of our faith. My focus is to address the void in Islamic sexual health education, offering frameworks that are nuanced, compassionate, and God-conscious.
Ultimately, my mission is to build the first comprehensive, online platform offering sexual health education, therapy, and professional training for Muslims across the lifespan. This platform will include soul-centered sexual health courses and therapy, while also providing training for both Muslim and non-Muslim professionals in a holistic approach to sexual health—not just sex—that integrates the mind, body, and soul.
Sexual health cannot be conceptualized apart from the soul. As Muslims, we are on a journey towards God, and our sexual health can either nurture or hinder this path. This understanding lies at the heart of my work: To help individuals and professionals alike engage with sexual health as a sacred trust that aligns us with our ultimate purpose—seeking nearness to the Divine.
Sameera’s Additional Roles
In addition to her private practice and educational services, Sameera is a frequently sought out speaker in both mainstream and Muslim spaces. 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 currently working on own book, Soulful Sexual Health for Muslims, which will be published in mid-2025, inshaAllah!