“I sought counselling to learn how to cope and stretch myself further; instead, I learned how to heal ... and live a more authentic life.”
Marhaba, Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website!My name is Doa'a (Duʿāʾ), which is an Arabic word that means "Prayer of the heart".About Me
Clients often describe experiencing transformative "light-bulb moments" during our sessions, moments that catalyze profound changes in their lives as a results of insights that change their thinking, actions, and behaviors. They frequently share that I help them "open windows and doors in their minds they hadn't realized existed." My unique approach fosters transformation; my insights help clients notice what truly matters to them, identify and dismantle dysfunctional beliefs, break free from damaging patterns, and overcome the stagnation that keeps them stuck. My Story
After earning a BA in English Language and Literature, I embarked on a multifaceted career, holding roles such as linguist, lexicographer, translator, project manager, interpreter, communications specialist, technical writer, and editor. While building my professional life, I also embraced marriage and motherhood, raising four wonderful children. Like many women from my generation, I strived to balance personal and professional demands, believing I had achieved efficiency and organization at work, home, and family duties and responsibilities. However, this perceived balance eventually led to burnout. I felt exhausted and berated myself for falling short of my idea of "a perfect life". Seeking counseling, I expected I would learn how to stretch myself further, to accommodate every demand that was made on my time, energy, and resources. Instead, I discovered the importance of healing a self driven by an idealized image of life. This realization allowed me to pursue a more authentic existence of being, instead of doing. In 2010, I transitioned from a traditional 9-to-5 job to freelancing as a communications specialist and translator. Concurrently, I began my studies at Munira Nusseibeh's School of Holistic Studies, to become a Certified Holistic Counselor and Energy Healer. Upon receiving my certification, my teacher introduced me to the Human Design System, sparking a new interest that sent me on an unexpected journey of growth and personal development since 2014. By 2016, I had earned my Living Human Design Guide certificate from the International Human Design School (IHDS). Since then, I have continuously explored various healing modalities through both independent study and mentorship from esteemed teachers. Today, I am fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive family and a circle of wonderful friends and mentors, all of whom have been integral to my journey. I can't imagine my path without them. 
In Human Design speak, I am a 1/4 Cross of Explanation mental projector; I am here to investigate the depths of a matter before externalizing my findings and insights to empower and influence others, when invited, and guide them to find answers to their questions, restructure their patterns, and help them reconnect to their true and vital self. My Practice
Now, I guide and counsel those ready to embark on a path of true healing and transformation. Healing is a lifelong journey, not a single destination, and it is my honor to empower you along this path. I offer online sessions in both Arabic and English and look forward to working with you!My Thesis (That became my Point of View)
One of the requirements for the Holistic Counselling Certification was developing a thesis around healing, one's journey, or related topics. For me, I was guided to explore my personal transformation in a context that mattered deeply: aligning holistic counseling practices with the teachings of the Qur'an.I grew up in a semi-conservative Sunni Muslim family. Over time, the community around me shifted toward a stricter, Wahhabi-influenced patriarchy. Those years layered on dogma, rigid expectations, and a narrow view of spirituality that compressed my inner life. Unlearning that conditioning took time — and it was painful. I navigated feelings of shame, confusion, grief over opportunities missed or choices judged, and the loss of relationships that couldn’t hold the complexity I was becoming. With every questions my elders could not answer, I lost an authority figure. My healing journey involved three intertwined movements:Reclaiming Authority: I learned to separate divine guidance from human interpretation. That meant questioning inherited rules, recognizing where power and patriarchy had been projected onto religion, and cultivating the courage to make decisions aligned with my heart and intellect.Holding on to Faith and Self: Instead of abandoning faith or holding it as an unexamined authority, I began engaging with the Qur'an as a teacher of compassion, justice, and inner transformation. I sought interpretations that honored dignity, agency, and the sacredness of each person’s path.Integrating Holistic Practices: I tested counseling methods—mindfulness, bioenergetic practices, journaling and inner work, compassionate inquiry—within an Islamic ethical framework. The aim wasn’t synthesis for its own sake, but to offer practices that support spiritual growth while respecting religious values and lived realities.
The thesis question “what Quranic teachings can be used to bring the benefits of the holistic healing course to the Muslim client?” was explored in parallel to my personal healing journey as well as the conversations I have had over the past years with my clients and friends. Seven themes emerged from the observations. They are as follows, in no particular order: the creation of the witness, connecting with the body, recognizing and embracing the personal story, understanding choice, purification, the relationship with the spiritual world, and forgiveness and compassion. What emerged from the work was a model for practitioners who want to support Muslim clients (or those from similar religious contexts) without erasing faith. It centers:Respect for religious language and practices as valid therapeutic resources.Tools to help clients reclaim spiritual authority: discerning what teachings empower them versus what beliefs constrain them.Practical integrations of bioenergetic, consciousness, and mental reframes that align with clients’ values and spiritual commitments.
This path has shaped my counseling: I hold space for faith and doubt together; I invite clients to interrogate the origins of their beliefs and to reclaim interpretations that enhance freedom and wellbeing. My experience taught me that faith can be a profound source of healing when paired with self-awareness, embodied practices, and a commitment to Truth.You can read my thesis, completed on September 11, 2014, (HERE)