Zakiya

I bring a systems-based lens to therapy, shaped by a diverse academic background that includes a PhD and multiple master’s degrees in fields spanning philosophy, religion, sociology, anthropology, and education. This interdisciplinary foundation helps me look beyond surface-level symptoms and explore the wider context: your relationships, roles, family patterns, stressors, strengths, and the meanings you’ve had to make along the way. I’m currently completing my Master of Family Therapy, deepening my clinical training in family systems, relational dynamics, and mental wellness.

Professionally, I’ve worked as a university professor, community school director, researcher, and author. My book, Dump Your Degree, focused on helping early-career professionals align their education with meaningful work and life goals. While my work has evolved, the through-line remains the same: helping people reconnect with what matters, strengthen their inner foundation, and build lives and relationships that feel more sustainable and true.

In my clinical work, I’m especially drawn to supporting clients around household equity and relational wellbeing, including the mental load, communication breakdowns, and resentment that can build over time. I also have a strong interest in maternal mental health, including the emotional complexity of pregnancy loss and postpartum challenges. Additionally, I support individuals who are healing from painful religious experiences, including religious trauma, with a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach that honors both identity and autonomy.

Hi, I’m Zakiya. I’m a Marriage & Family Therapy Graduate Intern (Supervised) with a holistic, integrative approach to therapy. I work with individuals, couples, and families who want to feel better within themselves and within their relationships, especially when life has become heavy, stressful, or disconnected.

I’m also a homeschooling mom of two, and my lived experience keeps me grounded in the real-life dynamics that shape families: communication under pressure, emotional labor, shifting roles, and the desire to create a home environment that supports connection, growth, and adaptability.

My goal in therapy is to offer a space that is warm, collaborative, and practical. We’ll explore patterns with clarity, build tools you can use in real life, and move at a pace that feels supportive. If you’re looking for a therapist-in-training who brings depth, care, and a whole-person lens to the work, I’d be honored to connect.

Ready to take the next step?
You can schedule a complimentary consultation or reach out through the contact page.

I’m always growing, continuously exploring new strategies to better support individuals, parents, and families in navigating their unique journeys. Whether you’re looking to overcome personal challenges, strengthen family dynamics, or create a thriving educational environment, I’m here to guide and inspire you every step of the way.

Let's Work Together!

Zakiya Akerele

Want to Learn More?

If you have any questions about my services or have general inquiries, feel free to reach out.