Our Team

Talat is a Mathematics and Computer Science graduate from UCL and Imperial College London and currently works as a Developer at a digital healthtech company. He has worked at many charities and non-profit organisations before going on to help start Inspirited Minds. He is fascinated by the mind and psychology and is passionate about supporting and promoting healthy mental wellbeing.

Sarveen is a Mental Health First Aider and dedicated Support Worker based in Glasgow. With a grounding in Islamic Sciences and clinical psychology research, she supports Inspirited Minds in making mental health resources accessible and culturally sensitive for the Muslim community. Her commitment to the cause is reflected in her diligent and compassionate approach to supporting those in need.

Khulood Cassim is a dedicated and driven individual with a strong commitment to increasing mental health awareness within the community. Her academic background includes a BSc in Psychology with Management and a Master's in Clinical Applications of Psychology. She has gained experience as a mental health counsellor and worked towards fostering mental health wellbeing in the community. Khulood possesses a profound interest in understanding mental health through the lens of Islamic principles and is keen to make meaningful contributions to the Muslim community.

Mahnoor is a trainee relational therapist completing a Masters in Psychotherapy and Counselling. She has had an interest in spiritually and culturally informed mental health work from early in her career, researching the impact of Islamophobic Media on the mental health of Muslims in the UK and USA as part of her Psychology BSc. Having worked both residentially and clinically, Mahnoor has 4+ years of experience working with individuals struggling with their mental health and is currently seeing clients as a trainee therapist. Grace, compassion, and community are the driving forces for her work.

With an MSc in Cultural and Global Perspectives in Mental Healthcare and a BSc in Psychology, Saliha is an experienced Assistant Psychologist working in the NHS. She has worked in diverse clinical settings across CAMHS, Adult LD and IAPT services. She specialises in neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders and mental health disparities in ethnic minorities. Saliha is passionate about mental health advocacy, actively contributing to improving accessibility for ethnic and religious minorities.

Meena is an integrative counsellor and currently Head of Counselling and Mental Health at Royal Holloway, University of London. She has experience of delivering counselling in hospice, university and Masjid settings. She is passionate about mental health and is involved in several projects to support wellbeing, including developing a counselling service at her local Masjid. Meena holds a BA in Economics, MA in Political Philosophy and a Professional Diploma in Counselling.

Shafiya is a passionate Workshop Facilitator based in Birmingham, committed to community education and mental health awareness. She actively contributes to Inspirited Minds' outreach programmes, helping to bring meaningful mental health conversations into local Muslim communities and creating spaces where people feel safe to open up and seek support.

Farhana has been a committed Workshop Facilitator and Trainer with Inspirited Minds since 2017. She brings extensive expertise in community engagement, event organisation, and training delivery, playing a vital role in the charity's outreach and educational programmes across the UK. Her broad skill set spans public speaking, video editing, policy creation, and stakeholder coordination, making her a cornerstone of the Community Engagement team.

Warisa Zainab is a Domestic Abuse Recovery Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner. She is an Islamic Studies graduate with a Masters in Clinical Psychology and an MSc in Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health. She is also a Talk Show Host on TV, a public speaker, poet and a humanitarian Aid Worker.

Hana is a Workshop Facilitator and Mental Health First Aider based in Ipswich. She is passionate about community empowerment and mental health awareness, bringing strong facilitation and organisational skills to Inspirited Minds' community engagement initiatives. Her dedication to accessible, inclusive mental health support is evident in everything she does.

Sharmina is a Workshop Facilitator based in Birmingham with a passion for breaking mental health stigma through community workshops and grassroots outreach. She brings group facilitation, teaching, and multilingual skills that enable Inspirited Minds to reach and meaningfully support diverse Muslim communities across the UK.

Muneeb is a trainee counsellor, published author, and a graduate of BSc Politics and Economics. He currently works as an Events and Community Liaison Officer at the Ibn Rushd Centre of Excellence for Islamic Research.

Zeshaan is a programme manager within the NHS with experience in managing projects and programmes, finances and stakeholders. He also has an interest in Muslim mental health and hopes to combat the stigma, increase awareness and provide hope for those struggling with their wellbeing.

Ilias is a Neuroscience and Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience graduate from the University of Glasgow and University of Birmingham. He has experience working in public organisations such as the UK Health Security Agency as well as Mind, the UK's largest mental health organisation. He is fascinated by the human mind and passionate about the health of the public and providing a meaningful service for them.

Ruqayyah is a BSc Psychology student at King's College London, currently on her placement year working as an Honorary Assistant Psychologist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. Her role includes supporting behavioural monitoring and psychological assessments. A former teacher of Islamic Studies at Safar Academy, Ruqayyah feels strongly about the significance of faith-based interventions and views psychology and mental health through an Islamic lens.

Fartun Hirmoge holds a degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master's in Cultural Psychology and Psychiatry. She serves as a Support Mentor for individuals in social housing facing mental health challenges. Fartun is deeply intrigued by the utilisation of Islamic coping mechanisms within the Muslim community and is dedicated to exploring how Islamic-oriented beliefs and practices can enhance our healthcare system.

Hanna is currently pursuing a BSc in Psychology at King's College London, with a strong passion for contributing to meaningful mental health research that can benefit the Muslim community. She is particularly driven by the desire to support underrepresented groups such as Muslim youth, ensuring they receive the care and resources they need to effectively navigate life's challenges. With experience in coaching children and active involvement in charity work, Hanna is committed to advocating for culturally and faith-sensitive care.

Nuzhat is a registered healthcare professional and has held senior Director level roles within the NHS and UK Government. She has worked with Governments on developing policy and prevention interventions that include mental health and wellbeing. She co-founded Muslim Women of Merton in 2014, an organisation that runs activities for women to improve their health and wellbeing. She is also a Trustee of Centre for Ageing Better, which tackles inequalities in our ageing population. Nuzhat brings significant strategic leadership experience to help Inspirited Minds flourish.

Saghar is a solicitor and partner at Devonshires Solicitors, working within the field of Property Finance and specialising in Social Housing Finance where she is recognised as a Tier 1 practitioner in the Legal 500. She helps social housing providers attain funding to build more affordable homes. Saghar is from Afghanistan and came to the UK aged 5, a fundamental element which helped her grasp the cultural and social challenges in society and that these must be understood to progress as a community.

Lily serves as a valued member of the Inspirited Minds Advisory Board, contributing her expertise and strategic insight to help guide the charity's vision and growth. She is committed to advancing the mission of improving mental health support and awareness within the Muslim community, bringing thoughtful leadership and a genuine dedication to the cause.

Hasan serves on the Inspirited Minds Advisory Board, bringing his professional expertise to support the strategic growth and development of the charity. He is dedicated to helping Inspirited Minds expand its reach and deepen its positive impact in Muslim communities, contributing his knowledge and experience to guide the organisation forward.

Meanha has studied Islamic Psychology and has 10+ years of experience working in crisis services, suicide prevention and the third sector. She has worked closely with the UK's leading Muslim mental health professionals, Imams and community leaders and has a passion for normalising and creating conversations around mental health in the Muslim community. As the Head of Operations, she oversees operational delivery and focuses on the strategic progress of the charity.

Zohrah is a graduate from the University of Birmingham with an interest in helping others, especially within the Muslim mental health space. She volunteers for Inspirited Minds to break the stigma around mental health within Muslim communities and hopes to prioritise accessible services for the Ummah.

Hafsa is a dedicated member of the Inspirited Minds Fundraising team, working to support the charity's vital mission of making quality mental health care accessible to Muslim communities across the UK. Her commitment and energy help sustain and grow the charity's impactful services.

While the topic of mental health has been a longstanding interest of Bashaar's, it was his undergraduate degree in Politics and Economics from LSE that further ignited his passion for psychology. As such, Bashaar is deeply passionate about psychology, mental health, and their intersection with Islam. Using the guidance of Islamic principles, he seeks to raise awareness, combat stigmas and empower people to live content and fulfilled lives.

Saira is a Business graduate with an interest in mental health. Through her work with Inspirited Minds, Saira aims to contribute to this important cause by helping raise awareness and supporting communities in bridging gaps in mental health support.

Sarah works within the Market Research sector as a Senior Coding Executive, working on government studies related to topics such as mental health, education and current affairs. She has regularly delivered training workshops to local and international colleagues. She has a keen interest in mental health and has completed short courses in counselling and mental health first aid. She is passionate about helping others and tackling the stigma related to mental health, especially within the Muslim community.

Madiha has a Masters in Pharmacy and is a qualified Clinical Pharmacist. She is passionate about mental health in the Muslim community and feels strongly about shifting the narrative to normalise mental health issues. She believes Muslims need to reconnect with the Qur'an and the prophetic teachings to achieve this. She hopes to motivate and uplift people that may be struggling, particularly within her own community.

Aisha is a graduate in Psychology with Counselling Skills and has always been passionate about spreading awareness regarding mental health. Now a therapist, she is keen to support those most vulnerable and found that writing can be a means to amplify key issues and allow others to relate and feel less alone. Aisha hopes to be able to empower others with her words and use writing to shed light on important issues.

Sivan is a Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Neuroscience graduate from Queen Mary, University of London and King's College London. She hopes to combine her learning from personal experience with mental illness with the passion to drive positive change, to ultimately empower others to take care of their mental wellbeing. With a background in research and having worked with a social enterprise, she has joined Inspirited Minds to help shed light on mental health stigma in the Muslim community, in particular, and work towards encouraging dialogue, empathy, and compassion.

Salwa has a degree in Graphic Design and is an aspiring illustrator and concept artist. Salwa has diplomas in Animal Management, Art & Design, and Creative Media Production. A medical background in her family has familiarised her with healthcare since a young age. Salwa is still dealing with her own mental health battles and so she understands the awareness that needs to be brought into both the Muslim and South Asian community.

Minahil is a second-year Psychology student at the University of Warwick with a strong interest in spreading awareness through media. She recognises social media as a powerful tool for education and advocacy. Alongside her studies, she volunteers with various organisations, where she gains insight into diverse human perspectives and social realities. Minahil aspires to become a clinical psychologist and is particularly interested in the contemporary relevance of Islamic psychology.

Nadia is a Language and Linguistics graduate with a particular love for writing, mental health and personal development. She has always been interested in grassroots community work and has been involved in various initiatives. She hopes to contribute to combatting mental health stigmas within the Muslim community. Nadia has a Level 2 certificate in Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace and intends to develop her skills further in order to provide more support to others.

Adisah Azumah (MBACP, BSc, MSc) is an experienced and compassionate therapist with a decade of dedicated experience in the field of mental health. She is qualified in person-centred therapy, and is trained in CBT and Islamic psychology and counselling skills and practices. She is known for her empathetic approach and commitment to fostering positive change in individuals, adults and children. She is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and believes in the transformative power of therapy to enhance individuals' overall well-being.

Safiyah leads the Counselling & Psychotherapy team at Inspirited Minds, ensuring that clients receive compassionate, high-quality mental health support. With a grounding in integrative counselling and a commitment to culturally sensitive practice, she works to create an environment where every individual feels heard, valued, and empowered on their journey to wellbeing.

Muslimah holds a BA Hons in Psychology and Counselling, an FDA in Integrative Counselling, and an MSc in Mental Health Science. She has over 10 years of experience of incorporating and implementing tailored therapies and the foundation of her work is built on Islamic principles. She is trained in Islamic psychology, and a member of the international association of Islamic Psychology and also specialises in domestic abuse, bereavement, anxiety, depression, couples counselling and clinical supervision.

Ahmed Tomal is BACP registered and has experience working with a range of mental health concerns such as anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma and relationship issues. As a level 5 CBT integrative therapist, he specialises in working with Muslims and incorporates Islamic spirituality into his therapy practice.

Rujia is a qualified person-centred counsellor with wide-ranging experience of working with adults and young people from diverse backgrounds which has given her a greater understanding of the influence of cultural issues on us as individuals. As a person-centred counsellor, a key feature of therapy for her is to build a good therapeutic relationship as it is crucial in how a client experiences therapy. She has experience of CBT and also working with clients within a systemic setting which enables her to support her clients in a holistic manner.

Aysha Ali is a graduate of Journalism, Film and Broadcasting and a qualified integrative counsellor. She has worked with asylum seekers, within race equality and has been working in domestic abuse for 18 years. Aysha approaches her work with flexibility and responds to the distinct personal situation of each client, tailoring the work to their unique needs and preferences. Aysha has also completed a Certificate in Islamic Psychology, and Level 2 in Islamic Counselling and Psychology. Currently studying EMDR therapy.

Urfana is a BACP registered Counsellor and Social Worker. She is an Author, Speaker, Teacher, Student, Trainer, and qualified Interpreter and Translator. She has over 20 years of experience of working in different settings in different roles with multiple diverse cultural and faith backgrounds. She has the natural ability to connect with people and their pain. She has a caring and empathic nature and understands the courage of individuals to make the decision to seek support.

Nadir is a Muslim Family & Systemic Psychotherapist and Islamic Psychotherapist in private practice. He completed his Masters at the Institute of Family Therapy where his research was on the training of Muslim leaders. He is currently a doctoral student at the University of Bedfordshire exploring the relationship between Islamic mysticism and systemic theory and practice. In his private practice he offers an Islamic approach to systemic therapy catering for those who seek to understand themselves and their relationships through the lens of the Islamic, spiritual and cultural traditions.

Shazna is a BACP registered Integrative Counsellor, and has years of experience of working with victims of Domestic Violence. She believes therapy can be a turning point in one's life and uses clinically proven techniques to help individuals improve their mental health, and manage anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, intrusive thoughts and more. She aims to work together to find your authentic self.

Sameena is an integrative counsellor working in person-centred, psychodynamic, CBT and EMDR modalities. Her approach involves sitting alongside you in your distress and exploring how this affects you in your current life and how past relationships have contributed to this, thereby giving you clarity to move forward.

Tabassum is a Therapeutic Integrative counsellor who works specifically with women only. She graduated with her degree from the College of Holistic Medicine and is a BACP registered member who provides a number of therapies such as CBT, Person Centred, Solution Focused and Grief Therapy.

Arslan has over 10 years of experience in mental health, having worked in inpatient and community mental health services. He is currently working as a senior CBT therapist in Talking Therapies services. He has an interest in supporting those with mental health problems with a focus on maintaining a relationship with culture and religion. He has a particular interest in working with couples, offering marital counselling and therapy.

Ja'far is a UKCP-accredited psychoanalytic psychotherapist with an MSc in Intercultural Therapy from UCL. He works part-time at Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre and also has a private practice. He supports clients from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate emotional challenges by exploring unconscious conflicts. While prioritising religious principles, Ja'far takes a holistic approach, considering social, cultural, and developmental factors that shape the identities of Muslim men and women in the West.

Nadeem is a qualified counsellor based in Derby, dedicated to providing compassionate and culturally sensitive mental health support. He offers a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic space for individuals navigating personal challenges, bringing professionalism and genuine care to every client relationship.

Aisha has a Diploma in Counselling and is passionate about working with Muslim Women. She works integratively, keeping the client's needs at the heart of her work.

Muhammad Zaman (Zaman) is a BACP Registered Counsellor and specialist in Person-Centred Therapy, CBT, Marriage Counselling, and a Professional Interpreter. He is a qualified integrative counsellor dedicated to supporting individuals and couples through mental health challenges and relationship issues. He has a particular focus on culturally sensitive therapy for Muslim individuals and couples, integrating Islamic values and principles into the counselling process. As a fluent Urdu and Hindi speaker, he ensures clients from diverse backgrounds feel understood and supported in their own language.

Hajera has been counselling for the last 4 years. She currently runs workshops in the community, providing support groups to build resilience and empower women. As a fluent English and Bengali speaker (both Sylheti and Dhaka), her aim is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all are given due respect and safety. She provides a safe, supportive, non-judgmental space for clients to achieve their full potential.

Yasmeen holds a Bachelors Degree (Honours) in Psychology and a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. As a registered member of BACP (MBACP), she has dedicated her career to supporting individuals, couples, domestic violence victims, cancer patients, families, teenagers, and young adults on their journey to emotional well-being. She has recently completed training in Islamic Marriage Counselling and is a fluent English, Urdu, and Hindi speaker, creating a welcoming environment where clients from diverse backgrounds feel understood and supported in their own language.

Bibi Rukia is a qualified counsellor specialising in Transactional Analysis (TA) techniques. Her practice is grounded in creating a supportive, non-judgemental space where clients can explore challenges, gain deeper self-awareness, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Through the application of TA, she helps individuals identify and transform unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaviour, with a focus on fostering personal growth and emotional resilience.

Sara is a BABCP accredited therapist using mainly CBT to treat various primary mental health difficulties. She also utilises Islamic principles alongside standard therapeutic concepts and is interested in promoting information regarding secondary mental health care.

Salma is a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist committed to delivering evidence-based, compassionate mental health care. She integrates core CBT principles with sensitivity to clients' cultural, spiritual, and personal values, creating a therapeutic space that is both effective and affirming. Her clinical experience includes working with anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, panic disorder, and low self-esteem. Salma is especially passionate about improving access to therapy for underrepresented communities, including Muslim populations, by bridging psychological care with culturally and faith-aligned values.

Esra is a UK-based counsellor trained in CBT, REBT, EMDR, and somatic approaches. She has worked for the NHS, GP practices, and other mental health sectors, supporting diverse clients. She holds a Psychology degree from Middlesex University and has completed further integrative level studies, enabling her to offer tailored, evidence-based therapy to meet individual needs.

Shafeen is a counsellor committed to providing supportive, evidence-based therapeutic care within a safe and non-judgmental space. With a focus on culturally informed practice, he works with clients to navigate their mental health challenges with empathy and professionalism, helping them move towards improved wellbeing and personal growth.