Areas of Focus

  • Child and Adolescent Therapy

  • Parenting Support and Family Dynamics

  • Anxiety and Emotional Regulation

  • Identity Development and Life Transitions

  • Trauma-Informed Care

  • Culturally Responsive Therapy

  • Languages: English and Urdu

Zainab Akhtar

Zainab Akhtar is an associate therapist at Bright Path Therapy and Wellness Center, working under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Studio Arts from the University of Pittsburgh. Zainab brings a warm, client-centered, and trauma-informed approach to her work with individuals across the lifespan.

Zainab specializes in supporting children, adolescents, parents, and young adults through a wide range of emotional, relational, and developmental challenges. She has experience helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity exploration, grief, family conflict, and the impact of trauma. Drawing from evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, play-based interventions, mindfulness, and attachment-informed care, Zainab tailors her approach to meet each client’s unique needs and strengths.

Her clinical background includes providing school-based therapy to elementary-aged children in Richmond, VA, where she supported students with emotional regulation, trauma recovery, behavioral challenges, and academic stress. Zainab also worked with clients in Fairfax and Reston, VA, offering in-home support and case management to adults with severe mental illness (SMI) and histories of chronic homelessness. These diverse experiences have strengthened her ability to hold space for both individual healing and systemic understanding.

Zainab is especially passionate about working with clients from immigrant and BIPOC communities and incorporates cultural humility, advocacy, and social justice into her practice. She is committed to creating a collaborative, nonjudgmental space where clients feel empowered, valued, and safe to grow. Whether she's helping a child manage overwhelming emotions, supporting a teen exploring their identity, guiding a parent through caregiving stress, or walking alongside a college student rebuilding their confidence, Zainab centers her practice on empathy, empowerment, and healing. In her free time, Zainab enjoys painting, exercising, and spending time with her family.