Ferial Youkhanna , LMSW

Ferial Youkhanna is a licensed social worker with over 24 years of clinical experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate a wide range of emotional and life challenges. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health/Micro Social Work from Wayne State University. She also holds an LMSW, a Licensed Master Social Worker credential that denotes advanced training in social work practice.

Her clinical work draws on a variety of evidence-informed methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused techniques, and client-centered principles. This blend allows her to tailor interventions for concerns such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions including gambling, grief and bereavement, and complex psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Ferial has substantial experience addressing relationship and family difficulties - including marital issues, intimacy-related problems, communication struggles, and parenting concerns - as well as challenges tied to chronic illness, caregiver stress, impulse control, hoarding, and first responder issues. She provides counseling services in English, Arabic, and Chaldean (Aramaic) and focuses on practical coping strategies, resilience, and recovery for each person or couple she works with.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Care

Ferial often integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify personal values and build psychological flexibility. ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to meaningful action, which can support people facing anxiety, depression, or life transitions.

She also uses Attachment-Based Therapy to explore patterns in relationships and how early connection styles influence current emotional needs. This approach can be helpful for couples work, intimacy-related concerns, abandonment and attachment issues, and for improving communication and trust.

In practice, Ferial emphasizes a client-centered stance that prioritizes each person’s perspective and goals. That collaborative orientation helps shape which techniques are used and adapts the pace of work to match the client’s needs and preferences.

Online therapy with Ferial is offered by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, which can make scheduling easier and reduce travel time. These options allow clients to engage in therapy from familiar settings and maintain continuity of care during life changes, while working with licensed professionals to find approaches that fit their situation.