you deserve real care - not just symptom management.

Therapy for Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

Major Depression, Bipolar, PTSD, Psychosis, Schizophrenia

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Non-judgmental therapy that meets you where you are

Many people with severe or chronic mental health conditions, like Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Psychosis, or PTSD, have little hope.

The thought of struggling from a life-long severe mental illness can be depressing and shameful. 

You may have been through years of therapy, hospitalizations, or medicated out of your mind. 

Or, maybe you don’t want to take medication — but no one is okay with that.

And you’ve struggled to find the right providers — or diagnosis. 

You may have even been passed back and forth between therapists and psychiatrists, who felt they couldn’t help you.

It can feel confusing and frustrating to watch your condition worsen over time or in response to certain events.

You may even have been “high functioning” before, and are currently in a period of disability.

People don’t understand, even when you think or behave in ways you wish you didn’t. 

You’re tired of the stigma, judgment, and lack of understanding.

You want to be treated like a human.

You are part of a broken mental health system that has not provided you with the help you need.

But you’ve found the right place. 

Here, I see you. I do my best to understand. And because I’ve worked with this population for over 12 years, I know how to help you — without being in therapy forever. 

What It's Like to Live with Serious Mental Illness

You may be navigating psychosis, suicidal thoughts, intrusive memories, trauma, hopelessness, or grief. You may have a diagnosis like Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, or PTSD.

You may have been told this is your life — or that your case is too complex.

Thoughts & fears:

  • “I wish I were normal.“
  • “I’m afraid to talk about it because I don’t want to be put in the hospital.”
  • “No one takes me seriously unless I’m in crisis.”
  • “What’s the point of therapy if nothing changes?”
  • “I’ve had so many therapists, and I don’t want to start over again.”

Physical symptoms & behaviors:

  • Inability to manage emotions
  • Suicidal ideation, death thoughts, or hopelessness
  • Paranoia, delusions, or disconnect from reality (psychosis)
  • Difficulty maintaining work, relationships, or basic functioning
  • Co-occurring issues like substance use, overspending, impulsivity

Outcomes from Therapy for Serious Mental Illness

Healing is possible — no matter what.

When you have a therapist who is nonjudgmental with a specialized skillset, you start to see outcomes at a different level.

You understand that you are NOT your diagnosis. You are a human being with challenges who deserves empathy, respect, and kindness.

You understand that you are part of a broken mental health system that has hurt you in many ways. 

You feel less shame. You feel less alone. You understand that you are NOT broken.

Your self-esteem increases as you make progress.

You feel more hopeful.

You start to do things you used to enjoy, or find new things to do.

You make steps to socialize and go out into the world. 

You find some peace — even if your symptoms don’t go away entirely.

You make goals.

You meet goals.

As someone who has specialized training in mental health conditions, I’m not going to judge you — and I can actually help.

Why work with me

I’ve worked with people navigating severe mental illness and substance use for 13 years: in hospitals, crisis programs, community clinics, treatment centers, and now, in private practice.

I didn’t do this to get my hours; I chose to do this because I care about this population and see a dire need for compassionate, non-judgmental, evidence-based therapy.

And I have seen so much progress when someone gets the right help they need.

I’ve also lived through challenges myself. I’ve been misunderstood, pathologized, stigmatized, passed back and forth between providers, and told I could never work or graduate from college.

(Spoiler alert: I was valedictorian, graduated from a top engineering college, and served as student body president, even while I struggled inside and out.)

When I saw how damaging stigma is – and that recovery is truly possible, no matter what – I dedicated my practice to learning specialized, efficient therapies that are clinically proven to work faster than traditional talk therapy.

I’ve won awards for my advocacy efforts and am a national speaker who has delivered 2 TEDx talks on my recovery and stigma. 

And I’ve helped people who have spent years in therapy make progress with me in a much shorter time.

I bring EMDR, DBT, and CBT — but more than that, I bring respect, curiosity, and a belief that your story matters.

Learn more about me
Hufsa Ahmad, LCSW - licensed virtual therapist and TEDx speaker specializing in imposter syndrome, substance use recovery, and mental health support for adults across California.

FAQs

Do you offer a complimentary consultation?

Yes! You’ve likely read my website and are interested in services — but you’d like some questions answered before committing. No worries! 

I offer a complimentary consultation so I can answer your questions and gather information to ensure we are a great fit.

Right now, I only accept clients virtually. 

In addition to being more convenient, research demonstrates that virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person. 

Virtual EMDR therapy can even help someone in their car or sitting on the ground in a shelter.

No, I don’t accept any insurance. This allows me to maintain a small caseload, providing higher-quality care and a more personalized experience for you.

As a specialist with a small caseload, paying privately means: 

  • My clients often get better results faster and need fewer sessions overall. Your time is also very valuable, and this investment can lead to greater happiness, productivity, and new opportunities, including for work and relationships.
  • We collaboratively decide what’s best for your therapy — not your insurance.
  • Your privacy is protected. I don’t share your private information with insurance companies. 
  • I have time to work on your case outside of sessions.
  • I also invest in advanced training and certifications to meet your specific needs.

I also provide services including speaking, writing, advocacy, consulting, and content:

You can subscribe to my mailing list to get weekly wellness tips & updates on my groups, classes, and workshops:

You may still be able to get reimbursed for our sessions. This is called using your “out-of-network” (OON) benefits if you have a diagnosed mental health or substance use condition.

It’s simpler than it sounds. Here’s how it typically works:

  1. You pay me for your session at the time of our appointment.

  2. I provide you with a “superbill.” This is a receipt of services with the information your insurance company needs.

  3. You send that superbill to your insurance company.

  4. Your insurance will reimburse you for a portion of the cost.

Many plans will reimburse 50-80% of the session fee after you’ve met your deductible. To find out what your specific plan covers, I encourage you to call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask these questions:

  • “Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health?”

  • “What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it have I met?”

  • “What percentage of the fee for CPT code 90837 do you cover?”

  • “How do I submit my superbills for reimbursement?”

This approach gives you the freedom to choose the best therapist for your specific needs while still using the benefits you pay for.

Before therapy begins, I will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate so you can anticipate your costs.

Individual Therapy:

Intake session: $350
Ongoing sessions: $250 per session

Intensive EMDR Therapy:

EMDR intensives longer and more frequent sessions of EMDR to achieve your goals more rapidly. For more information, click here.

They are purchased as a package depending on your individual needs. They are billed at $350 per 60-minutes. Payment plans are available.

Group Therapy:

$800 for 8 weeks ($100/group session). Payments of $100 are made weekly for 8 weeks. 

Masterclasses, Workshops, & Networking Events:

Please follow my Eventbrite page for ongoing events that I host. Some events are free, while others require payment to attend.

In your intake forms, there is a credit card form that will be charged within 48 hours of every appointment. 

Intensives require a 50% deposit to reserve the dates. Payment plans are available.

My therapy is efficient, so I regularly graduate clients from therapy. I am generally available within 1-2 weeks. For EMDR intensives, which are longer sessions, we will arrange a specific schedule that works well for you.

There is extensive research demonstrating that the therapies I provide can be more rapid and effective than traditional talk therapies and common treatments. 

For example, research shows that even three 90-minute EMDR sessions can resolve a single trauma.

In my clinical practice, I’ve helped many people who have been in therapy long term achieve their goals in a few months to a year. EMDR intensives are well-known for addressing problems efficiently.

Everyone is different, and may have different treatment outcomes. Research shows that your fit with your therapist (the therapeutic alliance) is more important than anything else.

For clients who are not using insurance, healthcare providers are required by law to give you an estimate of anticipated costs. I will offer you a Good Faith Estimate of how long you will need to be in treatment. For more information about your rights and how to challenge a bill, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/NOSURPRISES

Yes, everything shared in therapy is confidential with a few legal exceptions (for example, danger to self or others). These are called limits of confidentiality. This will be written on your intake paperwork, and we will discuss this very clearly in our first session.

I have personal experience with many of the conditions I treat, which motivated me to become a therapist. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find effective treatment. As an award-winning advocate, I have strongly opposed the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, and I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made as a society — though there is still work to be done!

I am a scientist and former tech professional. I was a high school valedictorian and graduated from one of the country’s top engineering programs — which led to very severe issues with Imposter Syndrome, anxiety, and depression. I have also overcome challenges related to burnout, workplace trauma, and late-diagnosed ADHD/neurodivergence. 

My lived experience, combined with clinical expertise and a solid understanding of the science behind treatment, creates a powerful approach that distinguishes me in my field.

I am female, Pakistani-American, 2nd generation, queer-affirming, culturally humble, late-diagnosed neurodivergent (ADHD).

I’m a former tech professional and award-winning mental health advocate who has overcome many of the issues that I treat. 

My lived experience, combined with my science and engineering background and clinical expertise, allow me to help people using efficient therapies that are much faster than traditional talk therapy.

You can schedule a complimentary consultation call here. Or, you may reach out to me via text/call 951-523-0564, hufsa@hufsaahmad.com, or this contact form:

You are not too much. You are not alone.

Click or call to connect with me for a free, 15-minute consultation call to or to schedule an appointment.

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