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TransformationCounseling Services

SWANA & Arab therapy · New York

Culturally Responsive Online SWANA & Arab Therapist in New York

EMDR & trauma support in a space where your cultural identity, heritage, and experiences are truly understood.

Living in New York comes with unique pressures, from high-demand careers and academic stress to balancing complex family dynamics, cultural expectations, and systemic transitions. For individuals of Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA), Arab, and Middle Eastern descent, finding a therapist who truly understands the intersection of cultural legacy, diaspora experiences, and modern life can feel challenging.

At Transformation Counseling Services, we provide secure, confidential online therapy across New York. If you are looking to work specifically with a therapist who shares or deeply understands your cultural background, we invite you to connect with our team member, Sanaria, who identifies as a SWANA therapist and specializes in supporting Arab and Middle Eastern clients.

Secure Telehealth Throughout New York · Culturally Responsive Care · EMDR Certified
What we support

What a specialized SWANA & Middle Eastern therapist supports.

SWANA, Arab, and Middle Eastern communities encompass a rich tapestry of distinct cultures, languages, traditions, and national heritages. However, first- and second-generation individuals as well as those navigating life between cultures often face specific emotional, relational, and psychological landscapes.

Intergenerational and Family Expectations

Balancing traditional collectivist values, family obligations, and individual autonomy.

Acculturation and Diaspora Stress

Navigating the complexities of cultural code-switching, microaggressions, and the pressure of meeting family migration hopes.

Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Burnout

Managing intense academic or career expectations driven by resilience and survival histories.

Trauma, Displacement, and Geopolitical Stress

Processing accumulated stress, family separation, geopolitical anxiety, or complex trauma in a safe, culturally attuned environment.

Relationship and Couples Dynamics

Resolving cross-cultural communication gaps, familial friction, and relationship distress.

Trauma therapy

EMDR-certified trauma support.

For many individuals, chronic stress or deep-seated anxiety is rooted in past traumatic experiences that traditional talk therapy alone cannot fully untangle.

Sanaria is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) certified, offering specialized, evidence-based trauma therapy. EMDR is a structured, highly effective therapeutic approach designed to help the brain process traumatic memories, reduce the emotional charge of past events, and alleviate symptoms of trauma, panic, and severe anxiety without requiring you to retell every detail of your story.

Our approach

Culturally responsive care that respects your story.

Therapy is most effective when you do not have to spend precious session time explaining basic cultural context, religious or secular nuances, or family structures. Our approach to SWANA and Arab mental health is grounded in:

Lived Understanding

Providing a therapeutic space where your identity is honored, and your cultural background is understood implicitly rather than questioned.

Trauma-Informed & EMDR Expertise

Combining cultural attunement with advanced, evidence-based modalities to address deep-rooted stress and trauma.

Client-Led Autonomy

You guide the pace of your healing. We are here to support you in building practical, empowering tools aligned with your personal goals.

Your choice of therapist

Therapeutic fit is essential for meaningful progress.

Rather than assigning you to a clinician automatically, we invite you to review our team of licensed New York therapists, learn more about Sanaria’s background and EMDR specialty, and select the clinician you feel most comfortable working with.

If your first choice ever feels like it is not the right fit, transitioning to another clinician on our team is simple and transparent.

Payment & insurance

Simple, transparent insurance & payment options in New York.

We are committed to making care straightforward and transparent. Insurance is accepted for therapy services provided throughout New York.

Accepted insurance plans (New York)
Aetna
UnitedHealthcare
Out-of-network & self-pay
Out-of-Network Benefits

If we are not in-network with your specific plan, you may still qualify for partial reimbursement through your out-of-network behavioral health benefits. We partner with Reimbursify to make electronic claim submissions simple.

Self-Pay & Sliding Scale

Individual therapy sessions start at $150, and couples therapy starts at $200. Sliding scale appointments are available with select therapists based on availability.

Our administrative team verifies your insurance benefits whenever possible before your first session so you understand your expected financial responsibility upfront.

How it works

How getting started works.

01
Reach Out

Fill out our brief contact form, noting your preference to work with Sanaria.

02
Verify Benefits

Our team checks your coverage and provides a clear breakdown of costs within 24 business hours.

03
Schedule & Begin

Select your preferred appointment time, log into your secure video session, and begin your healing journey from anywhere in New York.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to explain my cultural background or family dynamics to Sanaria?

No. Because Sanaria identifies as a SWANA therapist and understands Arab and Middle Eastern cultural nuances, you can skip the background education and focus entirely on your healing from session one.

What is EMDR, and how does it help with trauma?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing or traumatic memories. It uses bilateral stimulation (such as side-by-side eye movements) to reduce the emotional impact of past events without requiring heavy verbal processing of every detail.

Is online therapy private and secure?

Yes. All sessions take place over fully encrypted, HIPAA-compliant telehealth video platforms designed to protect your absolute privacy.

How do I check if my insurance covers online therapy with Sanaria?

Simply share your insurance details when you contact us, and our billing team will verify your behavioral health benefits before your intake appointment.

Take the first step

Take the first step toward clarity and support.

You deserve a supportive space that honors your identity, respects your experiences, and equips you to move forward.

Your information is completely confidential and protected by HIPAA standards. Prefer to talk? Call 347-317-4861.

Verify insurance

In-network insurance verification

Upload a photo of the front and back of your insurance card along with your name and date of birth. Our billing specialists will review your insurance benefits, deductible, and estimated copy within 24 business hours

Encrypted using 256-bit SSL for HIPAA privacy standards.
Insurance verification request received

Thank You, We'll Verify Your Benefits

Your insurance information has been securely received. Our billing team will review your coverage and verify your benefits, including your deductible and estimated copay.

Next steps

What happens next?

01
We review your insurance

Our billing specialists will verify the information you provided with your insurance plan.

02
We confirm your benefits

You’ll receive an update with the available coverage information and any estimated out-of-pocket costs.

03
Decide what’s right for you

Once you know your coverage, you can take the next step toward scheduling an appointment with a therapist at Transformation Counseling Services.

What to expect

Verification typically takes up to 24 business hours. We’ll contact you using the email address or phone number you provided.

Please note: Insurance verification confirms benefits based on the information available from your insurance provider. It does not guarantee payment or coverage for a specific service.

Want to speak with us?

If you requested a free consultation during the verification process, we’ll also follow up about scheduling your consultation.

Your Information Is Protected

Your insurance information is handled securely and used to verify your behavioral health benefits. We take your privacy seriously and follow applicable privacy and security requirements.