Psst..when was the last time you had a real conversation about mental health?

Mental health is more than just a clinical diagnosis or talking about symptoms. Mental health something we all have, and it’s something that impacts all parts of your life. It is about how you feel, every day; how you feel in your relationships; how you feel about yourself; how you feel about the world. It is about personal growth and self-discovery. It is about marveling at the magic of the universe and leaning into our joy. It is about no longer being afraid of what lurks in the shadowy parts of our Self, instead welcoming it.

It is about living an examined life.

With Well.Guide, I have created a platform to provide accessible and evidence-based information about mental health. Our Instagram community is a place where people can find support, inspiration, and insights on their mental wellness journey. I believe that by educating and empowering individuals, we can make a positive impact on the collective mental health of our society.

So, what’s my story?

I was born in Pakistan, and my upbringing was between Saudi Arabia and Toronto. Besides Canada, I have lived in the Middle East, South Asia and the United States. This, along with my mixed-cultural identity, helps me understand the challenges of cross-cultural adjustments and life transitions. I value cultural diversity immensely and make an effort to understand the cultural and historical context of mental health issues. I have experienced many transitions in life, and see them as a time of renewal. And I take this lens to the world we are in - how can we make sense of all our differences?

I am a psychotherapist, speaker, and founder of the digital mental health brand WellGuide on Instagram. I create meaningful and thoughtful experiences about our emotional wellbeing through therapy, workshops, engaging creative content, and speaking engagements. If you’re curious about my work - I have been been featured as a mental health expert on Business Insider, NBC News and teenVogue, to name a few. I have also spoken on numerous podcasts, including Axios, The Modern Millennial and Immigrantly. I also have the privilege of sitting on the Mental Health Advisory Board for Popsugar. 

I’ve been a licensed therapist for 10 years (in Ontario, Canada and now in New York State). I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Toronto in Toronto, and then my Master’s in Counselling at Adelphi University (The Derner Institute) in New York; furthering my training, I am certified for Cognitive Behavior Therapy at The Beck Institute and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy at The Albert Ellis Institute. I’m currently licensed as a limited permit mental health counsellor in New York State. I’ve spent 5 years working the digital mental health field (think: mental health tech start-ups like TalkSpace or others).

I love writing - so, I wrote a book! It’s called Toxic Productivity (PESI), and scheduled to be published in Fall 2024. It was one of the most challenging endeavors I’ve ever taken on and it really pushed me to go deeper into my own self-awareness. I hope you get a chance to read it when it comes out!

I believe that we all lead a multifaceted and layered existence, creating complex lives and stories. That’s why I love to write - writing is how I make sense of the world around me, as well as the world within me. I have found solace in the writings of others, often during some of my most difficult times, and hope to share the same comforts with you. Each of us have unique strengths that have brought us this far; and life will only get easier as we build our inner-selves. We are always in a state of becoming - and so I hope to stay curious about myself, and hope to inspire that within you as well.

Through Well.Guide, I’m using the magic of conversations and power of community to transform the way we talk about mental health, from shameful to empowered. I hope you find my writings helpful and leave feeling emboldened to have meaningful conversations about mental health and wellness.

Join my community by signing up for the bi-weekly ‘Well Guide’, a curated collection of mental health features, current affairs as they relate to wellness, reading and podcast recommendations, and most importantly - a deep dive into a specific mental health topic. Don’t forget to subscribe below!

TYSM - Can't wait to connect with you!

xx, Israa