About Me
Hello . As-Salaamun Alaykum . Jambo . Annyeonghaseyo . Aloha
I am a practicing psychologist and the founder of TsaZesh.
My first steps on this journey began nine years ago in, what was then, the small town of Mombasa, Kenya. Studying at my local community school drew me to the complexities between social interaction, personality and role-hierarchy dynamics. Indeed, my observations and experiences elucidated this intricate correlation in varied circumstances, within an apt background of adolescent pangs.
While I was studying the Edexcel British curriculum, the remoteness of my location, the heavy influences of the Asian culture, and perhaps the lack of ambition of key decision-makers contributed towards the scarce availability of social and humanitarian subject matter - including psychology and sociology. So I interned at the local hospital and pharmacy chain, participated in inter-class science congress competitions and inter-school debates, and penned essays for national contests; experimenting on my strengths whilst struggling to envision my future.
It was this landscape that contributed significantly to my choice in studying life sciences outside the realm of high school. Thus, eight GCSE's and 4 A Levels later, my first educational excursion away from home took me to Royal Holloway, University of London where I traversed the many facets of bioscience, biochemistry and medicine.
The following three years involved a combination of intensive laboratory practices, a range of modules exploring the macro- to the micro-elements of life sciences, extensive research skills, an extremely long-worded dissertation in neuropsychology and a wealth of volunteering experience within the local community in Surrey. My time at Royal Holloway culminated with an accredited BSc (Hons) qualification in Medical Biochemistry, a Passport Award and a Community Action Volunteer Award in recognition of my voluntary work, and a further sharpening of my ambitious drive to delve into the field of psychology and neuroscience.
Royal Holloway
In my second year, my focus on securing a work placement led me not to a company where I could practice biosciences, but rather to a grassroots movement that stood for women's rights and feminism. Mary on the Green is a campaign celebrating the life of Mary Wollstonecraft, the founder of feminism, and recognising her contribution to equality, diversity and human rights.
Chaired by the inimitable Bee Rowlatt and supported by the Newington Green Action Group, Mary on the Green sought to solidify Mary's role in history by advocating for a statue of her in her hometown, on the green. Working in the capacity of a Communications Officer, I helped the campaign gain traction in print and social media outlets. Some of our projects included the 'Women of Power' letter (published in The Times) that revealed a diverse group of women who held powerful positions in their respective fields showing their support of the campaign, and the #MinuteforMary campaign that showcased why our supporters believe in Mary and in our movement.
Myself & Maria Miller
During my 3 years with Mary on the Green, I met some inspirational women, including Barbara Hearn OBE, Professor Anna Birch FRSA, Roberta Wedge, Rachel Erskine, Susie Burrows, Dame Fiona Woolf DBE, Jude Kelly CBE, Rt Hon Maria Miller MP to name a few. Each of them left their mark on my world view, and urged me to consider the many possibilities that a woman had in her varied circumstances to be herself, to stay confident in her abilities and reach great heights in what she sets her mind on.
I also became acquainted with some remarkably liberal-minded men - Gideon Carr, Alex Allardyce, Jeremy Corbyn and Richard Reiser - who taught me that issues of diversity and human rights don't just have to be limited to one group or gender, it is universal.
I was lucky enough to see the campaign become successful - gaining permission to erect a memorial for Mary and successfully launch their charitable platform The Wollstonecraft Society; the event garnered colossal tractions and was where I met Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party in the UK. You can learn more about the progress of the campaign at The Wollstonecraft Society website.
Myself & Jeremy Corbyn
Channelling my humanitarian side, the next year was dedicated towards:
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Bringing the lived experiences of mental and sexual health challenges faced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women to life through the Naz 1000women platform
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Teaching in ethnically diverse environments, such as White Water Writers and Talent-Ed
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Working for the local events and fundraising team of the domestic abuse charity, Refuge, to shine a light on the issue of domestic abuse and violence
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Becoming a telephone befriender for the Silver Line Charity, that supports older people (aged 55 and over) who may feel lonely and isolated and need someone to talk to
In the midst of gathering experience, my decision to pursue psychology lingered at the back of my mind. I needed verification that this was my endgame, so I registered for a few online courses in the hope that they would guide my decision-making:
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Psychology and Mental Health by the University of Liverpool (2016)
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Caring for people with Psychosis and Schizophrenia by King's College London (2016)
Decision made, I found myself at Regent's University London under-taking a highly demanding and time-consuming course that plunged me into the myriad of spheres within the framework of social sciences. From culture, society, biology, lifespan and cognition to statistics, research-based and conceptual elements - the breadth of knowledge was wide-arching and prepared me for multiple options in the aftermath of education. After an even longer-winded dissertation into socio-political psychology, I graduated with a BPS accredited MSc in Psychology and a fervor that catapulted my ambition to a place I had never experienced.
So, I joined a Muslim mental health charity called Inspirited Minds, who make it their mission to address issues of stigma, lack of awareness and the culture of silence surrounding mental health within Muslim communities. Under an outstandingly talented manager, Minha Begum, I worked as a PR and Creative Content Officer, quickly becoming busy with writing articles and reports for their Mindful Messages Blog, organising campaigns (such as the #17actsofkindness campaign) for their social media platforms and partaking at our annual flagship Creative Minds event.
Two years later, I moved to head the communications team's Creative Projects, which includes the Mindful Muslim Podcast, A Muslim Mind, and other projects that are as yet confidential. My role at Inspirited Minds is challenging, fascinating and rewarding, and I would not have it any other way. The intricacies of Islam paired with the conversation around mental health call to the deepest traces of humanity.
Creative Minds 2019
I firmly believe that women, Muslim and
non-Muslim alike, can elevate, embolden and empower themselves in their own spheres.
It was with this hope that I made myself vocal about issues we face as women, both through my role at Inspirited Minds and by attending events in and around the UK:
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Advocating for women's rights was the 'What Women Want 2.0' at Portcullis House in the heart of Westminster
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Celebrating artistic and creative women at the 'Women of the World (WOW) Festival' at the beautiful Southbank Centre, Waterloo
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Influential women remembering Jamal Khashoggi at the British Library
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Female parliamentarians discussing mental health at Parliament Square
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Making strides in the Global Diversity and Equality Conference at London Docklands
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Investing in the protection and support of those suffering from domestic abuse, violence and rape at the House of Commons by BCBN, Advance & STADV
Myself & Emily Thornberry
Returning to my hometown, which was now the city, of Mombasa, I sought to build on my experience as a psychotherapist and such an apposite opportunity presented itself in the form of the lovely Winnie Kitetu, resident Clinical Psychologist at Aga Khan Hospital. Whilst there, I collected vital implements in evaluating, assessing and treating individuals presenting with a range of mental health difficulties and disorders.
This prompted me to invest my own private practice and provide mental health services for those who need crucial support and counselling.
Every experience, bit of knowledge and practical ability that I have acquired has been pumped into my private psychology practice and a more exciting initiative called TsaZesh.
Qualifications and Continued Professional Development
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Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist (CBT) Practitioner Certificate - CTAA & The Priority Academy (2020)
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Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner Certificate - Achology (2020)
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Psychological First Aid (PFA) During Covid-19 Refreshers Certificate - Public Health England (2020)
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Muslim Leadership Training Programme - Al Balagh Academy (2019-2020)
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MSc Psychology (Conversion) - Regent's University London (2016-2018)
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BSc (Hons) Medical Biochemistry - Royal Holloway, University of London (2013-2016)
This is by no means the end of my journey, and I would not wish it so. There is much yet to learn, to grow and to change, and I endeavour to continue doing just that...