Mr Waqas Ali Akbar, MPhil

Psychotherapist

“I have experience providing counselling services to a wide range of individuals, particularly adolescents, in community settings, hospitals, and rehabilitation centres. I am trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and use a collaborative, compassionate approach to counselling. ”

About Me

I offer a warm, collaborative space for individuals, especially adolescents, navigating life's challenges. With an M. Phil in Clinical Psychology, I draw on experience from diverse community, hospital, and rehabilitation settings. I use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to support your growth. My compassionate approach helps young people and various clients feel truly heard. We will work together to build practical strategies, fostering resilience and well-being on your journey.

Approach

After working with young people in a variety of clinical and community settings, I’ve learned that meaningful change often comes from taking small, practical steps. In our sessions, we’ll work together to understand the patterns behind your challenges, set realistic goals, and explore evidence-based strategies, including CBT, that fit your needs. When appropriate, we can also incorporate family or faith perspectives if they are important to you.

Contact Waqas

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Islamabad, Pakistan

In-person & Online

Services

My area of specialization includes the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, stress-related concerns, emotional and behavioral difficulties, health anxiety, self-esteem issues, relationship challenges, and adjustment problems. I have experience working with adolescents, university students, and adults from diverse backgrounds. My clinical approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, coping skills training, behavioral interventions, and client-centered therapy. I am particularly interested in helping individuals develop effective coping strategies, improve emotional wellbeing, build resilience, and achieve meaningful personal growth. I also provide support for smoking cessation, academic and career-related concerns, emotional regulation difficulties, and mental health promotion through evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

Services Offered:

Psych & Diagnostic Assessment
Formal psychological testing to identify conditions, understand cognitive and emotional functioning, and guide treatment planning.
Spiritual or Faith-Based Counseling
Counselling that integrates spiritual or religious beliefs into the therapeutic process for people who want faith to be part of their healing.
Online Therapy
Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.
Learn more about Online Therapy
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
Learn more about CBT
Addiction Counselling
Counselling specifically focused on substance use or behavioural addictions, addressing the psychological drivers and patterns of dependence.
Learn more about Addiction Counselling
Counselling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counselling
Health Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how psychological, behavioural, and social factors affect physical health, illness, and health-related behaviours.
Intellectual Psychological & Diagnostic Assessment
Formal testing to evaluate intellectual ability and cognitive functioning, often used for educational planning, diagnosis, or access to support.
Personality Difficulties & Diagnostic Assessment
Assessment of long-standing patterns in thinking, feeling, and relating that cause persistent distress, used to clarify diagnosis and guide treatment.
Sex Therapy
Specialised therapy addressing sexual concerns such as low desire, performance anxiety, pain during sex, or mismatched needs between partners.
Learn more about Sex Therapy

Works With:

Adolescents
Adults
Communities
Couples

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

Adolescent Therapy
Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.
Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
Mood Disorder
A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.
Learn more about Mood Disorder
LGBTQI+ Support
The unique psychological experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals, including identity exploration, coming out, discrimination, minority stress, and relationship dynamics.
HIV / AIDS Support
The psychological impact of living with HIV/AIDS, including stigma, disclosure, medication adherence, and emotional well-being.
Personality Difficulties
Long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating to others that cause persistent distress or problems in relationships and daily life.
Psychosis
A mental state in which a person loses contact with reality, which may involve hallucinations, delusions, or severely disordered thinking.
Learn more about Psychosis
Spiritual or Faith-Based Counseling
Counselling that integrates spiritual or religious beliefs into the therapeutic process for people who want faith to be part of their healing.
Trauma Therapy
Therapeutic approaches specifically designed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences.
Learn more about Trauma Therapy

Professional Title:

Psychotherapist
A professional trained to provide in-depth therapy that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting change.