Find Healing and Hope: Compassionate
Counseling in Dallas, TX
That feeling in the pit of your stomach. The racing heart that wakes you up at night. The loop of worry that plays over and over, making it impossible to focus on your work, your family, or the simple joys of life.
At Alif Counseling Services in Dallas, TX, we understand. We provide more than just therapy; we provide a sanctuary where your unique story is honored, your cultural and spiritual values are respected, and a path toward lasting peace is not just possible—it’s expected.
Your journey to a more peaceful, fulfilling life is just a step away. Book Free Consultation today.
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Trained Therapist
- Culturally Responsive
- 10+ Years Experience
Understanding Anxiety: A Gentle Guide to
What You're Feeling
To begin healing, it helps to first understand what you are facing. Anxiety is not a personal failing or a sign of weakness; it is a treatable condition that millions of people navigate every day.
What is Anxiety, Really?
At its core, anxiety is a normal human emotion. It's your body's natural alarm system, a feeling of fear or dread designed to alert you to stress or danger. Think of it like a smoke alarm: when it goes off because there's a fire, it's incredibly helpful.
An anxiety disorder, however, is like a smoke alarm that has become overly sensitive. It goes off frequently, even when there's no fire. It perceives danger in everyday situations, triggering intense and persistent feelings of fear and worry that are out of proportion to the actual circumstances.
You Are Not Alone
Over a third of adults in Texas (36.8%) report symptoms of anxiety. In Dallas, the pressures of career, rising cost of living, and fast-paced environment can significantly contribute to stress and anxiety.
Unfortunately, 26.4% of Texans needing counseling are unable to receive it, often due to cost, stigma, or lack of accessible providers.
The Many Faces of Anxiety: Symptoms You Might Recognize
Emotional Symptoms
• Persistent feeling of dread or impending doom
• Feeling tense, jumpy, or "on edge"
• Irritability and mood swings
• Feeling helpless or out of control
Physical Symptoms
• Pounding or racing heart
• Shortness of breath or choking feeling
• Sweating, trembling, or shaking
• Headaches and muscle tension
Cognitive Symptoms
• Racing, uncontrollable thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating
• Constantly worrying about worst-case scenarios
• Fear of "going crazy" or losing control
Behavioral Symptoms
• Avoiding triggering places or situations
• Restlessness or inability to sit still
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Your Path to Peace: Evidence-Based Tools for Healing
Therapy is not about endlessly talking about the problem; it’s about actively building the solution. We utilize proven therapeutic methods, always tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
We work together to identify and challenge negative thought patterns (like "what if...") and cognitive distortions that fuel your anxiety, replacing them with more balanced, realistic, and helpful perspectives.
EMDR Therapy
For anxiety rooted in past trauma or distressing events, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help your brain reprocess memories so they no longer trigger present-day anxiety responses.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Learn powerful skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to manage intense emotions and navigate crises without feeling overwhelmed.
Mindfulness-Based Practices
Incorporate techniques like mindful breathing, body scans, and grounding exercises to anchor yourself in the present moment and calm your body's nervous system.
The Alif Counseling Difference: Healing That
Honors Your Whole Self
True healing must honor the whole self—your mind, your body, your culture, and your spirit. We provide a therapeutic space where you never have to check parts of your identity at the door.
Culturally Responsive
We specialize in providing therapy that honors your unique cultural background, values, and experiences without judgment.
Spiritually Integrated
For Muslim clients, we can integrate Islamic principles like Sabr, Dhikr, and Tawakkul as pillars of resilience in your healing journey.
Client-Centered
You are the expert on your life. We collaborate with you to create a personalized plan that meets your specific goals.
Meet Asma Sheikh: Your Guide and Advocate
Asma Sheikh, MA, LPC, is the founder of Alif Counseling Services. She is a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor with over eight years of experience helping adults, adolescents, and families navigate crisis and find healing. Asma is an EMDR-trained professional who specializes in anxiety, trauma, and mood disorders.
Her passion lies in empowering women, adolescents, ethnic minorities, and immigrant communities. Having worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, she brings a wealth of clinical expertise to her practice. Asma is proficient in English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and Siraiki, allowing her to provide therapy in the language that feels most comfortable to you. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and deeply rooted in cultural humility and clinical integrity.
Our Approach to Helping You Find Balance
We know that starting therapy can feel intimidating. We’ve made the process clear and supportive every step of the way.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Book a complimentary, 15-minute confidential phone or video call. This is a chance for you to ask questions and see if our approach is the right fit for you.
Your First Session
In our first meeting, we'll listen deeply to your story, understand your challenges, and collaboratively set meaningful goals for our work together.
Begin Your Path to Wellness
Through ongoing, supportive sessions, you'll gain insight, learn practical skills, and build the confidence to create lasting, positive change in your life.
Take the First Step Toward a Calmer Tomorrow
You have carried the heavy weight of anxiety for long enough. A life with more peace, confidence, and joy is not only possible—it is within your reach. Taking the first step is often the hardest, but it is a profound act of courage and self-compassion. Let's connect.
- Phone: (972) 645-6553
- Email: Admin@alifcounseling.com
- Locations: Allen, TX & McKinney, TX – Proudly serving the greater Dallas-Fort Worth community
- Sessions: Available both in-person and online via secure, confidential video
Frequently Asked Questions
We believe in price transparency. The cost of therapy is a significant and valid concern for many families in Dallas. Our session fees range from $80 to $140, and we offer a sliding scale for those who qualify to ensure care is accessible. This is competitive within the Dallas area, where therapy can range from $75 to over $250 per session. We are in-network with several major insurance providers, including Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield. We can verify your benefits and discuss all payment options during your free consultation.
Absolutely. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. Everything you share in our sessions is protected by law and strict ethical codes. The only exceptions are rare and specific situations where there is an imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else, or if required by a court order. We will review our confidentiality policy in detail during your first session so you feel completely secure.
The duration of therapy is unique to each individual and their specific goals. Some therapeutic approaches, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), are often considered short-term, with significant progress seen in 5 to 20 sessions. However, deeper-seated anxiety or trauma may require a longer journey. Our goal is not to keep you in therapy indefinitely, but to empower you with the insights and skills you need to manage anxiety effectively and build lasting resilience on your own.
This is a very real and difficult challenge for many, particularly within cultural contexts where therapy is stigmatized. We can work on this together in our sessions. A gentle approach is often helpful. Instead of simply announcing, "I'm going to therapy," you might start by sharing how you've been
feeling (e.g., "I've been feeling really overwhelmed and exhausted lately, and I'm looking for ways to feel better"). Frame it as a proactive step toward improving your well-being, much like seeing a doctor for a physical health concern. It can also be helpful to set boundaries, explaining that while you value their love and support, this is a personal decision you are making for your own health.28 Remember, choosing to seek help is a sign of immense strength.
This is a wonderful and important question. Our approach is always client-led. We begin by understanding your relationship with your faith and how you would like it to be a part of your healing. If you choose, we can integrate your faith as a source of strength and a framework for understanding your experiences.49 This might involve discussing Quranic concepts like patience (
Sabr) and trust in God's plan (Tawakkul) as antidotes to worry, or using remembrance (Dhikr) as a powerful, faith-based mindfulness practice to calm your nervous system.48 This is always done in a way that supports evidence-based therapeutic goals and feels authentic and comfortable for you.
Take the First Step Toward a Calmer Tomorrow
You have carried the heavy weight of anxiety for long enough. A life with more peace, confidence, and joy is not only possible—it is within your reach.
- Completely confidential
- No pressure
- Available in multiple languages