Sakina Ali, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist
Pronouns: They/Them/Their
Areas of Special Interest Heading link
Social justice, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students, self-compassion, fat liberation, trauma, identity concerns, family and relationship issues, and training and supervision
What to Expect When Working with Me Heading link
I believe relationships are central to our development and well-being. For this reason, I place emphasis on exploring the relationship between me and my clients as well as the relationships that my clients have with themselves, with others in their communities, and with systems that they are a part of. I draw from interpersonal, multicultural feminist, and cognitive behavioral theories to help clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences of trauma are impacted by wider systems of power, privilege, and oppression. I seek to empower clients to share their full emotional and relational selves, both in and out of therapy.
Education and Training Heading link
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology – Texas A&M University – 2022
Doctoral Internship – University of Utah Counseling Center – 2021-2022
M.Ed. in Educational Psychology – Texas A&M University – 2017
What I Do at the Counseling Center Heading link
As a Staff Psychologist, I:
- Provide individual therapy to undergraduate and graduate students at UIC
- Co-facilitate the Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive interpersonal process group
- Provide outreach programming to the UIC community
- Supervise a trainee at the counseling center in their clinical work
About Me Heading link
I am a queer, Pakistani-American who grew up in Texas. I am passionate about increasing accessibility of mental health services for marginalized populations and believe in intervening at individual, community, and systemic levels. When I am not working, I enjoy learning new crafting skills, spending time outside, and trying new restaurants. I love a good reality tv show and relish curling up on my couch with my cats, a good book, and a matcha latte on the weekends.