Emad Alarashi is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). He holds a Masters of Social Work degree from University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty specializing in Human Services Management and Leadership. Emad has ten years of experience working with diverse communities including those who identify as racialized, visible minority, newcomers, and marginalized populations and within Neighborhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) in the Greater Toronto Area. Emad has developed a deep understanding of systemic barriers impacting the health, social and economic well-being of communities. Emad works from a culturally safe, strength-based, anti-oppressive, anti-racism, human rights, and intersectionality framework to engage with and support communities’ capacities.

As a Constituency Council member with the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Emad supports the exploration of the impacts of addiction and mental health on Muslim populations. Emad is also trained in Mental Health First Aid through Mental Health Commission of Canada, Narrative Therapy through York University Seminar Sessions, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention through Crisis Prevention Intervention, Authorized Child Protection Worker through Peel Children’s Aid Society and is Certified in Positive Youth Development through Lions Quest Canada.

Emad employs common Social Work practice models into his daily practice when working with individuals, families and communities. These practice models include but are not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Crisis Intervention Model, Narrative Therapy, Problem-Solving Model, Solution Focused Therapy, and Task-Centered Practice.

Emad Alarashi is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and ... Read More

Asad received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion and is currently enrolled in the Master of Pastoral Studies program, Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy certificate stream. Asad is now in the process of attaining a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) status. Asad’s Islamic education has come primarily through the Mathabah Institute under the tutelage of Shaykh Omer Subedar. Asad has learned the basics of Fiqh, Aqeedah, tafsir and Usool ul Quran through Mathabah Institute. Asad continues to further his Islamic education through the Taqwa Institute and the Irshad Center for Hanafi Studies.

Asad uses a variety of approaches in his treatment, borrowing aspects of CBT, DBT, ACT and narrative therapy with his clients. Asad is supervised by Munsif Mubarak, guiding him in TIIP model of therapy.

Asad has over a decade of experience working as a health and wellness coach, helping Muslim men and women improve their lives. His background gives him keen insight into the interplay between physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Asad has over three years of experience working with the Muslim community as a Peer Counselor with the Naseeha Muslim Youth helpline. Speaking with Muslims from different ethnicities, cultures, and family backgrounds has given Asad an understanding of the pulse of the Muslim community and knowledge of what problems are affecting us today.

Asad’s passion lies in helping those dealing with porn and sex addictions. Asad has gained experience working with this population as a coach with Purify Your Gaze. This has equipped him to navigate the nuanced issue of addictions within the Muslim community, as well as the way they impact relationships.

Asad focuses on a holistic approach to psychotherapy. He knows the importance of spirituality in upholding a fulfilling life and uses a spiritually and culturally conscious approach when working with clients. Asad seeks to develop resiliency in his clients so that they can take on life’s challenges while following their values to achieve meaningful goals.

Asad received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion and is currently enrolled... Read More

Sadiyah Chauhan holds a Masters of Pastoral Studies with a certification in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from the University of Toronto. With experience as a chaplain in various hospitals across the GTA, she found herself drawn to providing care within a psychotherapeutic framework. Sadiyah firmly believes in the transformative power of being truly seen and heard, particularly by someone who is sensitive to the religious and cultural nuances of the Muslim community.

Her educational foundation includes studies in Islamic Studies from a seminary in India, complemented by training in TIIP (Level 1), which motivates her to practice Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy. In addition, she integrates Emotion Focused Therapy and elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into her approach. Presently, she works as a Psychotherapist (Q) under the supervision of Ambreen Yousaf, providing support to individuals facing a spectrum of challenges including anxiety, depression, spiritual and relational dilemmas, identity issues, self-esteem concerns, experiences of sexual abuse, grief, and trauma-sensitive care.

Sadiyah offers psychotherapy sessions in English and Gujarati and is proficient in Urdu. She aims to broaden her practice to include pre-marital counseling, reflecting her commitment to holistic and culturally sensitive mental health support.

Sadiyah Chauhan holds a Masters of Pastoral Studies with a certification in Spiritual Care and Ps... Read More

Sajida is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario. She earned a Master’s in Pastoral Studies with a certificate in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from the University of Toronto. She has completed Alimiyyah studies in India and obtained a diploma in Contextual Islamic Studies and Leadership from Cambridge Muslim College, UK. She later specialized in Quranic recitation under the renowned Qari of India, Qari Siddique Falahi and received an Ijāzah in Hafs ‘an ‘Āsim and an Ijāzah in the ten small variant readings. She co-founded Al-Fatihah Learning Academy where she is a teacher of Advance Tajweed and Qira’t al-‘Ashr al-Sughrā.

Sajida is passionate about building a strong holistic community. She believes in the effectiveness of Psychotherapy and that becoming self-aware is essential to living a conscious, deliberate, and fulfilling life. Sajida’s therapy approach is Person-Centered with Spiritual Integration, incorporating techniques from modalities such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. She provides a non-judgmental and empowering space to facilitate awareness and growth. Sajida has supported people through various life transitions and adjustments. She has journeyed alongside individuals experiencing anxiety and depression, OCD and spiritual distress. She believes that the therapeutic relationship plays an essential role in one’s healing journey. Her goal is to support, guide, and empower people.

Sajida is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario. She earned a Master’s in Pastoral Studies with... Read More

Sumayya Mehmood is a registered Social Worker with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSSW). She earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Toronto specializing in mental health and health. Her former education involved completing her honors Bachelor of Science in Biology and Economics from the University of Toronto. She also completed her graduate research thesis and earned her Master of Science from the University of Toronto in 2018.

Sumayya has previously worked as a peer support counselor with Naseeha Mental health and completed her internship at the Toronto Western Hospital mental health and addictions outpatient clinic. She has experience working with individuals and families of diverse demographics, clients of all ages, ethnicity, mental health, and complex needs.

Sumayya takes a holistic client-centered and strengths-based approach offering client-tailored therapy specific to individual needs and goals. She uses empathy, trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and culturally sensitive practices to engage clients in a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment conducive to a strong therapeutic alliance. Sumayya is versed in multiple therapeutic modalities and her sessions are informed by an integrated model of clinical practice, working collaboratively with clients towards a journey of growth and healing.

Sumayya enjoys volunteering and engaging with the community in her spare time.

• ASIST Suicide Intervention Skills certified • Mental Health First Aid certified

Sumayya Mehmood is a registered Social Worker with the College of Social Workers and Social Servi... Read More

Munsif Mubarak is a Hafiz of the Holy Qur’an who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto. Following his undergraduate studies, he dedicated seven years to studying the Islamic sciences in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, dedicating himself in the learning environments of various scholars within Masjid-un-Nabawi and other educational settings. During this time, Munsif earned an associate degree in Arabic Language and a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in Classical Arabic Literature and Linguistics from the Islamic University of Medina.

Upon returning to Toronto in 2017, Munsif pursued further academic training by completing a Master of Pastoral Studies program at the University of Toronto in 2021. This program included a certification in spiritual care and psychotherapy. In his therapeutic practice, Munsif integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (TIIP) approaches. He is a Registered Psychotherapist and an active member of the CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario).

Modalities: Individual (adults/teens), Marital, Premarital, and Family

Clinical focus: Anxiety, Depression, spiritual/self-development, grief/loss, addictions, family conflict/relationship issues, self esteem, men’s issues, OCD, career/academic guidance

Certifications: Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (Level 2); EMDR (Level 1)

Memberships: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

Languages: English, Arabic (Classical)

Munsif Mubarak is a Hafiz of the Holy Qur’an who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Univ... Read More

Waseem Munir is a Mental Health Counsellor at Khalil Center and is supervised by Munsif Mubarak, Registered Psychotherapist. Waseem studied Islamic Sciences at the Academy of Sacred Knowledge, Darul-Uloom, Canada for 6 years. After this he went on to pursue his Bachelors of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University, and is currently enrolled in his Masters of Social Work at York University.

He has worked in a non-profit sector as a social worker developing programs to provide holistic support for young adults. He has also worked as a crisis line volunteer to provide mental health support to Muslim North Americans in crisis situations.

Waseem integrates Islamic principles and values into his therapeutic approach, offering guidance and support that aligns with the spiritual and cultural context of his clients. He values creating a safe and inclusive space for clients to openly explore their mental health concerns.

He has an interest in working with young adults and the elderly population. As a supervised clinician, Waseem is learning to incorporate different modalities to better assist client needs.

Waseem can address a variety of general mental health concerns including: Anxiety, Depression, Spiritual/Personal Development, Men’s Issues, Relational Issues, Identity, Self-compassion/self-care, Grief/loss, Self-Esteem, Career/Academic guidance, Parenting.

Languages: English

Waseem Munir is a Mental Health Counsellor at Khalil Center and is supervised by Munsif Mubarak, ... Read More

Rumia Owaisi is a registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW), as well as a Researcher with Khalil Center.

She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 2023 with specializations in Gerontology and Aging and the Life Course.

Additionally, she is pursuing Islamic Studies through Pillars Seminary and a diploma in Islamic Psychology through Cambridge Muslim College. Her clinical experience involves internships at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre and in inpatient units at Lakeridge Health Ajax/Pickering hospital, as well as working as a counsellor in the community.

She is currently pursuing training in Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (TIIP) through Khalil Center and training in emotion-focused psychodynamic, and narrative therapies under the supervision of Ambreen Yousaf.

Her experience working in healthcare settings, and with community members across ages, has allowed her to adopt a holistic and person-centered approach to care. This means that clients’ physical, social, mental, and spiritual health needs are all taken into consideration during treatment.

We are all collectively living, aging, and dying – and in the midst of things, our quality of life can become compromised. Rumia’s goals are to support you in optimizing your wellbeing and in learning how to live meaningfully and authentically.

She provides psychotherapy in English, and understand and communicate in both Urdu and English.

Rumia Owaisi is a registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social... Read More

(Imam) Shakir Pandor was born in Toronto, Canada to parents who had migrated from India. After completing grade 7, he traveled to the UK in 1990 where, alongside secular studies, he completed the memorization of the entire Qur’an and the rigorous traditional 8 year ‘Ālimīyah program, graduating with a Bachelors degree in Islamic Theology and jurisprudence from the oldest seminary in the UK, known as Darul Uloom Bury.

In 2011 he went to Egypt where he enhanced his studies of the Arabic language, specifically in conversational Arabic, Poetry and Arabic eloquence. He has served as an Imam and an Islamic school teacher in various Masaajid (Mosques) and Islamic schools in GTA as well as Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA.

Currently he is the Imam, religious director and resident scholar at the Islamic Center of Oshawa.

Imam Shakir is a director and religious consultant for Khalil Center Canada, a branch of Khalil Center which is an Islamically integrated health and wellness center, as well as a director of the Canadian Council of Muslim theologians, a non-profit organization that caters to the various needs of Canadian Muslims. He is a volunteer chaplain at Lakeridge Health as well as being active with the OnTech university MSA, and conducts a weekly program at the north campus

(Imam) Shakir Pandor was born in Toronto, Canada to parents who had migrated from India. After co... Read More

Fatima Qureshi is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). She studied at the University of Toronto and earned a Master’s in Pastoral Studies with a Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy certificate. Her Person-centred approach emphasizes a supportive presence, empathetic listening, and unconditional positive regard. She aims to provide a safe space for growth, hope, acceptance, empowerment, and healing.

Fatima incorporates several modalities to provide a holistic approach, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Narrative therapy. She has completed Level 1 and 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Fatima has also earned a certificate of completion in The 10 Core Competencies of Trauma, PTSD, Grief and Loss. She has several years of experience in the hospital and community.

Fatima has earned an ‘Ijaazah in Hafs ‘an ‘Asim and the ten variant Qira’aat under the supervision of Sheikh Uthman Khan. She has also served the Muslim community through teaching for many years.

Clinical focus: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, PTSD, Spiritual/Personal development

Modalities: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy

Languages spoken: English

Fatima Qureshi is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). She studied at the University of Tor... Read More