Neuro-Affirming, Culturally Responsive Therapy for High Achievers

"What we practice grows stronger."

Hufsa Ahmad, LCSW #127204, combines her clinical expertise, engineering background, and lived experience to help high-achieving professionals navigate late-diagnosed neurodivergence, burnout, bipolar disorder, trauma, suicidal ideation, and substance use.

I'm Hufsa (huff-sa).

I’m not your typical therapist. With a chemistry degree from Harvey Mudd College, I understand the unique pressures facing high achievers secretly battling complex challenges.

As an award-winning advocate, 2x TEDx speaker, and stand-up comedian, every word matters. I bring creativity and authenticity to therapy and use humor to release tension. My approach combines evidence-based practices with real-world understanding of what it means to excel while managing highly distressing, and often misunderstood, challenges related to mental health, addiction, and imposter syndrome.

I’ve overcome the same challenges that I treat. I offer more than clinical expertise; I provide lived experience and a genuine understanding of the challenges you face. Whether you’re dealing with burnout, masking, or feeling like you don’t belong, I’m here to help.

Targeted Solutions for High-Pressure Lives

Conquering Imposter Syndrome

Address the root of self-doubt using evidence-based techniques rather than surface-level affirmations. I help you internalize your accomplishments and move from feeling like a fraud to leading with authentic confidence.

Substance Use & Addiction

Support for professionals with addictions and substance use (including alcohol, marijuana, opioids). I will meet you where you are: whether you want to moderate your use or seek complete sobriety. There is no one-size-fits-approach.

Serious Mental Illness & Suicidal Ideation

Contrary to popular opinion, high achievers commonly struggle with serious mental illnesses like Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), PTSD, and/or suicidal ideation. If you’d like, I am open to working with family members and other treatment providers.

EMDR Therapy for Workplace Trauma, Religious Trauma, and Childhood Trauma

Many of our challenges stem from traumatic experiences. Using EMDR, I offer weekly or deep-dive intensive sessions to help you process trauma. Leading EMDR clinicians have trained me to assist with these traumas effectively and efficiently.

Kind Words from Colleagues

She has an innate ability to get people to open up. She helped us to understand that we are all human and we all struggle. What's important is that we help each other and help ourselves and feel no shame in those actions.

Her enthusiasm for emotional wellness and breaking down stigma is contagious and it's obvious she loves this work and the people she gets to build connections with.

Hufsa is a seasoned, compassionate clinician with expertise in treating complex mental health cases. As a certified DBT therapist, she's uniquely qualified to support clients.

I know Hufsa Ahmad as a fellow mental health provider, mental health advocate, and volunteer for NAMI. She's compassionate, experienced, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend her as a therapist.

FAQs

Do you offer a complimentary consultation?

Yes! You’ve likely read my website and are interested in services — but you’d like some questions answered before committing. No worries!

I offer a complimentary consultation so I can answer your questions and gather information to ensure we are a great fit.

Can I meet with you in-person?

Right now, I only accept clients virtually.

In addition to being more convenient, research demonstrates that virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person.

Virtual EMDR therapy can even help someone in their car or sitting on the ground in a shelter.

Do you accept my insurance?

No, I don’t accept any insurance. This allows me to maintain a small caseload, providing higher-quality care and a more personalized experience for you.

As a specialist with a small caseload, paying privately means:

My clients often get better results faster and need fewer sessions overall. Your time is also very valuable, and this investment can lead to greater happiness, productivity, and new opportunities, including for work and relationships.
We collaboratively decide what’s best for your therapy — not your insurance.
Your privacy is protected. I don’t share your private information with insurance companies.
I have time to work on your case outside of sessions.
I also invest in advanced training and certifications to meet your specific needs.

I also provide services including speaking, writing, advocacy, consulting, and content:

Mental health articles from a unique perspective of science, clinical, and lived experience.
Mental health & wellness keynotes and workshops all over the country, including 2 TEDx talks with a quarter of a million views.
Collaborating with non-profits
Hosting groups and classes with free and discounted slots
Producing content

You can subscribe to my mailing list to get weekly wellness tips & updates on my groups, classes, and workshops:

Can I use my out-of-network benefits? Do you provide superbills for insurance?

You may still be able to get reimbursed for our sessions. This is called using your “out-of-network” (OON) benefits if you have a diagnosed mental health or substance use condition.

It’s simpler than it sounds. Here’s how it typically works:

You pay me for your session at the time of our appointment.
I provide you with a “superbill.” This is a receipt of services with the information your insurance company needs.
You send that superbill to your insurance company.
Your insurance will reimburse you for a portion of the cost.

Many plans will reimburse 50-80% of the session fee after you’ve met your deductible. To find out what your specific plan covers, I encourage you to call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask these questions:

“Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health?”
“What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it have I met?”
“What percentage of the fee for CPT code 90837 do you cover?”
“How do I submit my superbills for reimbursement?”

This approach gives you the freedom to choose the best therapist for your specific needs while still using the benefits you pay for.

What are your fees?

Before therapy begins, I will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate so you can anticipate your costs.

Individual Therapy:

Intake session: $350
Ongoing sessions: $250 per session

Intensive EMDR Therapy:

EMDR intensives longer and more frequent sessions of EMDR to achieve your goals more rapidly. For more information, click here.

They are purchased as a package depending on your individual needs. They are billed at $350 per 60-minutes. Payment plans are available.

Group Therapy:

$800 for 8 weeks ($100/group session). Payments of $100 are made weekly for 8 weeks.

Masterclasses, Workshops, & Networking Events:

Please follow my Eventbrite page for ongoing events that I host. Some events are free, while others require payment to attend.

How does payment work?

In your intake forms, there is a credit card form that will be charged within 48 hours of every appointment.

Intensives require a 50% deposit to reserve the dates. Payment plans are available.

Do you have availability? What is your schedule?

My therapy is efficient, so I regularly graduate clients from therapy. I am generally available within 1-2 weeks. For EMDR intensives, which are longer sessions, we will arrange a specific schedule that works well for you.

How long does therapy usually take?

There is extensive research demonstrating that the therapies I provide can be more rapid and effective than traditional talk therapies and common treatments.

For example, research shows that even three 90-minute EMDR sessions can resolve a single trauma.

In my clinical practice, I’ve helped many people who have been in therapy long term achieve their goals in a few months to a year. EMDR intensives are well-known for addressing problems efficiently.

Everyone is different, and may have different treatment outcomes. Research shows that your fit with your therapist (the therapeutic alliance) is more important than anything else.

For clients who are not using insurance, healthcare providers are required by law to give you an estimate of anticipated costs. I will offer you a Good Faith Estimate of how long you will need to be in treatment. For more information about your rights and how to challenge a bill, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/NOSURPRISES

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, everything shared in therapy is confidential with a few legal exceptions (for example, danger to self or others). These are called limits of confidentiality. This will be written on your intake paperwork, and we will discuss this very clearly in our first session.

Do you have lived experience (personal experience) with these conditions?

I have personal experience with many of the conditions I treat, which motivated me to become a therapist. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find effective treatment. As an award-winning advocate, I have strongly opposed the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, and I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made as a society — though there is still work to be done!

I am a scientist and former tech professional. I was a high school valedictorian and graduated from one of the country’s top engineering programs — which led to very severe issues with Imposter Syndrome, anxiety, and depression. I have also overcome challenges related to burnout, workplace trauma, and late-diagnosed ADHD/neurodivergence.

My lived experience, combined with clinical expertise and a solid understanding of the science behind treatment, creates a powerful approach that distinguishes me in my field.

What is your background?

I am female, Pakistani-American, 2nd generation, queer-affirming, culturally humble, late-diagnosed neurodivergent (ADHD).

I’m a former tech professional and award-winning mental health advocate who has overcome many of the issues that I treat.

My lived experience, combined with my science and engineering background and clinical expertise, allow me to help people using efficient therapies that are much faster than traditional talk therapy.

If I have any other questions, how can I ask you?

You can schedule a complimentary consultation call here. Or, you may reach out to me via text/call 951-523-0564, hufsa@hufsaahmad.com, or this contact form:

Ready to meet your goals?

Click to call or connect with me for a free, 15-minute consultation call.

California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Hufsa Ahmad, LCSW #127204), specializing in supporting high achievers, neurodivergent individuals, and those navigating complex trauma and recovery.