Today we’d like to introduce you to Abida Minhas.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a licensed professional counselor supervisor (LPC-S) and I am one of the founders of MAPS (Muslim Association for Psychological Services). I met Saihba Ali about eight years ago when I was freshly in private practice and we had an idea to start a group for the Muslim community and mental health. After several years of ideas exchanged Saihba introduced me to Heena Khan. The three of us met for a casual dinner at an Italian restaurant and the history became history.
The three of us came from very different clinical backgrounds and personalities yet our passion for mental health was very similar. The three of us sat in that restaurant scrolling down ideas with crayons on napkins, which may have resembled an ancient scroll. We wrote down our vision, long term goals, and names of the group. After we left that evening, with much excitement, the three of us spoke very regularly after. We called various community leaders we knew through someone, board members of local mosques and spear-headed talks to initiate our vision.
This was all about four years ago and since then, we have continued to expand our network. With its starting off as the three of us, we have expanded on adding over 20 clinicians and continuing.
The main mission of MAPS is to be a social enterprise entity that provides the community services by licensed clinicians on mental health education, tools and resources. MAPS is founded on the idea that we can work through compassion and education to help the community erase the stigma of mental health. That together we can work with community leaders to provide clinical guidance to help its members. As one of the founders of MAPS, I am very proud of the work and contacts and connections we have been able to create to help those in the community that needs it the most!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road. As a working mother, it is always a challenge to wear so many hats. The passion I want to exhibit, in everything I do is not always possible. Therefore getting to align the work-life balance and still give the same energy to a passion project like MAPS has been a struggle. However, with a great and supportive team like MAPS it makes it less stressful.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Richland Oaks Counseling Center – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I currently am in private practice so MAPS is the passion project I work on. As a clinical supervisor, I specialize in working with adults and families. I have been a therapist for over ten years and I try my utmost best to work in a very compassionate as well clinical realm. I am very comfortable with working with multicultural populations and can speak three different languages. I am proud of the fact that as a social enterprise, we can give back to the community our time, energy and expertise. I think what sets us apart is that we are three female founders that empower each other. We have recognized that each of us has a different working style and we support and guide each other instead of criticism or blame. It has made for a great working relationship.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Yes we hope to include more clinicians and we also hope to build a stronger social media presence. Through the extraordinary times of the COVID-19 and its effects, we realized that we needed to create a stronger platform for our vision. It has been going well and we hope to keep the momentum going.
Pricing:
- We hope to give sliding scale therapy sessions for frontline providers for $0-$45.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mapsdfw.org/find-a-therapist-in-dfw
- Phone: 9727571818
- Email: abbi1122@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maps.dfw/
- Facebook: Muslim Association for Psychological Services- MAPS DFW
Image Credit:
Zoom meeting; Richland Oaks Counseling page
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
