Micah Fahar

Trying to find a therapist can really suck - believe me, I've been there too! It can be so weird, scary, and confusing trying to get help in the first place, let alone worrying about whether you'll be judged. As a queer, non-binary, and neurodivergent Iranian-American who’s spent their fair share of time in the client’s chair, I’ve had first-hand experience of how frustrating and unhelpful therapy can be when cultural responsiveness just isn't there. Seeing many of my friends go through the same struggle further intensified my desire to help change the field from the inside out and make identity-affirming, culturally-sensitive therapy more accessible to marginalized and underserved communities. I aim to be the kind of therapist that I needed, that my friends and communities needed, and that so many of us struggled so hard to find.

Traditional therapy, where the therapist is the only expert in the room, reinforces an inherent imbalance of power through an implicitly enforced hierarchy. While this can work great for some, for others it can create more challenges or even cause harm. My style is different: I believe that we both carry vital pieces of the puzzle, because the definitive expert on your experience will always be you. Instead of telling you what's what, I want to join you where you are and get to know you and your story. Working with me means working in a collaborative way, where you and I are fellow travelers on this therapeutic journey, each bringing our own form of expertise to the table in order to clear the path forward.

I work with a wide variety of populations, with a particular focus on ADHD, autism, DID/OSDD, plurality/multiplicity, trauma, and PTSD. Through both clinical and lived experience, I am familiar with issues and challenges often faced by BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and disabled communities, as well as those issues impacting sex workers, polyamorous/ENM/CNM individuals, and those who practice kink/BSDM. I have also become familiar with Deaf culture through classes at CSUN and regular participation in Deaf events prior to the pandemic. While my ASL skill level is currently somewhere around intermediate, I plan to work towards fluency in order to better serve the Deaf population in the near future.

**Please note: I wear a KN95 mask during all in-person sessions. If for any reason this doesn’t fit your needs, I also provide services via telehealth!

Micah Fahar (Michelle Nia) is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working under the supervision of Vicki Botnick, LMFT #86127.

Working under the supervision of Vicki Botnick, LMFT #86127.

Specialty: Neurodivergence