Therapist Spotlight: Abeeb Oki, LPC-Associate
Hey there! I’m so glad you’ve landed here. In this blog, I’m excited to introduce you to Abeeb Oki, one of the incredible therapists on our team at OATH Therapy. You’ll get a feel for who he is, what drives his work, and what it’s like to be in the room with him as a client.
Let’s get started.
Q: Hi Abeeb! Can you start by introducing yourself? Hi! I’m Abeeb Oki, MEd, LPC-Associate at OATH Therapy. I’m currently under the supervision of Saharah Shrout, MA, LPC-S, as I work toward full licensure.
I specialize in working with adults, children, and couples, especially those navigating OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and grief. My approach is calm, respectful, and always collaborative. Whether it’s your first time in therapy or you’ve been before, my goal is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and supported.
Q: What inspired you to become a therapist? I feel like this career was always meant for me. Even before I knew what therapy was, I was the “therapist friend” in my group, always the one who listened and supported others. I have come to understand how important it is for everyone to be able to have an outlet in life, especially if that is something they are not used to. By being able to be a listening ear for others and help guide them through their unresolved problems and reach their treatment goals, I feel as if I have to do nothing but be myself by being a therapist.
Q: What’s it like to work with you in therapy? I help my clients feel safe but still challenged by making sure that they are aware this is a team effort. I will never make a client do something they are not feeling ready enough to do, and I will always meet them where they are at and never undermine a client's starting point. The goal is to build rapport and go at a pace that feels good for the client but still progressive.
Q: What approaches do you use in your work? My style to therapy is very person-centered. I meet my client wherever they are, and they essentially determine the goals we set for treatment and how we want to approach treatment. My modalities or approaches include CBT, ERP, ACT, & Narrative Therapy.
Q: What keeps you passionate about the work work you do? What keeps me passionate about this career is knowing the impact I have had on former and current clients. I have received heartfelt letters from clients, letting me know how much they have appreciated my services, and it is the little things like that that keep me motivated with passion. Also, seeing a client progress in real time is truly a beautiful thing.
Q: What do you wish more people knew about starting therapy? Something I wish more people knew about OCD is that it is more about just wanting to ensure things are clean and neat. OCD has several subtypes, and it goes farther than just contamination based OCD. Similarly with anxiety, people believe that avoiding what makes them anxious will make anxiety go away, but this is only serving to strengthen anxiety. By avoiding what makes someone anxious, that trigger is gaining more power and influence over the individual with anxiety.
Q: Let’s get to the fun stuff. What are a few things that bring you joy outside of work? I train strongman and write poetry, which don't go together at all. I love to workout and train with intensity and compete against others in strongman competitions. I also enjoy writing and performing poetry at open mic, though it has been awhile since the last time I have done this. To take care of my own mental health, I do yoga, and I try to spend time with family and friends. I am naturally introverted, and I have come to understand the difference between isolation and solitude.
Q: Anything else you’d like potential clients to know? I’m currently accepting new clients and I offer in-person, virtual, hybrid, and even in-home sessions. I am here to work with you instead of simply telling you what you need to do. It will always be a team effort when working with me, and we will always move at a pace that you are comfortable with.