Ferial Youkhanna, LMSW

Ferial Youkhanna, LMSW, helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, relationship struggles, and the challenges of living with health conditions. She works with individuals who face trauma, mood concerns such as depression and bipolar symptoms, and people coping with major life changes. She speaks English and Arabic and brings 24 years of experience to her work in Michigan.

Her approach is practical and person-focused. Sessions center on the client's goals and priorities. She uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and client-centered methods to follow what matters most to the person in front of her.

Ferial also integrates acceptance and commitment ideas to help people live more in line with their values, and attachment-informed work to look at how early relationships shape current patterns. Emotionally-focused tools can be used when relationship emotions are central to the struggle. She adapts methods to fit the concern, whether it's addiction, anxiety, or chronic illness-related stress.

In the room, she listens for strengths first and then builds small, concrete steps forward. She often blends skills practice with reflective conversation, aiming to make progress that feels manageable. Her background includes degrees in social work and long clinical practice in Michigan settings.

People who choose her can expect a calm, direct style that balances skill building with understanding. The focus is on coping strategies, clearer communication, and practical ways to reduce daily distress while supporting longer-term change.

Approaches that translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting pulled off course, and then identify small actions that match their values. It is often useful for anxiety, chronic illness stress, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it can help with depression, panic, and sleep or eating problems. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationship patterns shape current interactions and emotional responses, which can be helpful for intimacy, grief, and relationship conflict.

Finding the right approach usually happens together. The therapist will ask about goals, preferences, and day-to-day challenges, then suggest techniques to try. Treatment can shift over time as needs evolve, and clients are invited to give feedback about what helps and what doesn't.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example by saving travel time, allowing a shorter check-in during a work break, or avoiding the need to be on camera if that feels better. Licensed professionals can use these approaches remotely to teach coping skills, practice communication, and support people managing chronic health issues without promising specific outcomes.