We were lucky to catch up with Nasirah Mitchell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nasirah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

My defining moment wasn’t a single achievement—it was the realization that mental health care is most impactful when people are at their most vulnerable.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals experiencing crises, and those moments have shaped me as both a therapist and behavioral health professional. Early on, I learned that when someone is in crisis, they often aren’t looking for someone to tell them what to do. They need someone who will truly listen, create a safe space, and help them feel seen and heard.

One experience that changed the trajectory of my career involved supporting individuals who were struggling with significant behavioral health challenges and feeling overwhelmed by the systems designed to help them. I realized that my role wasn’t simply to provide resources or recommendations. My responsibility was to listen carefully, understand their unique circumstances, and help them identify options that aligned with their goals, values, and readiness for change.

That experience reinforced a lesson I carry with me every day: people are often at their most vulnerable during a crisis, and how we show up in those moments matters. As therapists and mental health professionals, we must meet people where they are rather than where we think they should be. Recovery and healing are not one-size-fits-all journeys.

My defining moment taught me that effective mental health care is built on empathy, active listening, and client-centered care. Sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is help someone recognize their own strengths, provide options, and walk alongside them as they determine the path forward. That philosophy continues to guide my work today.

Nasirah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a licensed mental health professional with a background in counseling, therapy, behavioral health coordination, and crisis intervention. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse backgrounds who are navigating some of the most challenging moments of their lives. My work has allowed me to support people experiencing mental health crises, depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use concerns, and significant life transitions.

I pursued a career in therapy and mental health because I have always been passionate about helping people better understand themselves, overcome challenges, and recognize their strengths, even when they may not be able to see them themselves. Early in my career, I realized that effective mental health care extends far beyond treatment plans and clinical interventions. It requires empathy, active listening, advocacy, and a genuine commitment to meeting people where they are.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that people are often at their most vulnerable during times of crisis. In those moments, listening becomes one of the most powerful tools we have as professionals. Rather than assuming what someone needs, it is essential to understand their unique circumstances, values, goals, and readiness for change. I believe strongly in client-centered care and providing options that allow individuals to make informed decisions about their own lives and treatment.

My philosophy has always been that mental health professionals must meet people where they are, honor their experiences, and walk alongside them as they identify the path that is right for them. That belief continues to guide both my professional practice and my commitment to serving others.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I would still choose a career in therapy and mental health. It has been one of the most challenging, meaningful, and rewarding journeys of my life.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to support individuals facing crises, navigating depression and anxiety, coping with trauma, and working through major life transitions. Being entrusted with those experiences is a responsibility I deeply value.

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be that success in this field is not about having all the answers. Early on, I believed my role was to solve problems. Over time, I learned that the most effective mental health professionals are often the best listeners. People do not always need someone to provide solutions; they need someone who can listen without judgment, offer perspective, and help them recognize their own strengths.

I would also encourage my younger self to prioritize self-care and professional boundaries much earlier. The emotional demands of this work are significant, and maintaining balance is essential for both personal well-being and professional effectiveness.

Ultimately, I would choose this profession again because it aligns with my core values. It has taught me empathy, resilience, humility, and the importance of lifelong learning. Every experience—whether challenging or rewarding—has contributed to my growth as a clinician and as a person. Looking back, I would choose this path again without hesitation.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Over time, particularly through working with individuals experiencing crises and complex behavioral health challenges, I realized that lasting change does not happen because a therapist or clinician has the right answer. Real change occurs when individuals are empowered to make decisions for themselves and move forward at their own pace.

The lesson I had to unlearn was that helping someone and fixing someone are not the same thing. My role is not to direct another person’s journey but to listen, provide support, offer options, and help individuals recognize their own strengths and capabilities.

This shift changed the way I practice and the way I view success. Today, I understand that meaningful progress is not always measured by dramatic breakthroughs. Sometimes it is measured by a person taking a small step forward, asking for help, attending an appointment, or simply feeling heard during a difficult moment.

Unlearning the need to fix people taught me humility, patience, and trust in the resilience of others. It remains one of the most valuable lessons of my professional career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nasirah.sahar/?hl=en
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Image Credits

Nasirah Sahar