The Thought Behind Aks
Reflection is the act of looking within oneself to understand and accept one's emotions, thoughts, and experiences. As a tribute to the power of introspection, image, and personality traits, the name of our organization originates from an Urdu term for reflection, Aks (عکس), to serve as a sanctuary for those seeking guidance and support in their personal journeys.
Aks stands as a symbol of hope and transformation, a testament to the power of reflection and self-discovery. Its name reminds us that in order to find peace and clarity, we must first look within ourselves and reflect on our experiences.
Aks Counselling and Psychotherapy Services is a trusted provider of therapy in Mississauga, offering professional support for individuals, couples, and families. Our team of psychotherapists in Mississauga specializes in evidence-based treatments to help clients navigate life’s challenges confidently and clearly. Whether you're seeking couples therapy, psychotherapy in Mississauga, or a compassionate therapist near you, we are committed to fostering healing and personal growth. Our approach is client-centered, culturally sensitive, and tailored to your unique needs. If you're looking for an experienced therapist in Mississauga, Ontario, Aks Counselling is here to support your journey to mental wellness.
The Team at Aks
Mahnoor Shaikh
MS Clinical Psyc., RP
Mahnoor is a Registered Psychotherapist with College of Registered
Psychotherapists of Ontario. She holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology with
an experience of 8 years providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples
and families.
Mahnoor uses a person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach
in her therapy to form a healthy relationship with the clients she works with.
Mahnoor is also certified in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and applies techniques from Narrative Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and more. She strives to create a warm, empathetic, non-judgmental space for her clients to foster growth and independence.
Mahnoor has extensive experience working with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, OCD, self-esteem, domestic violence, relationship struggles and more.
Waleed Riaz
HBSc, MACP, RP
Waleed is a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy
Association (CCPA), and a Registered Psychotherapist with
the CRPO. Along with his Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology,
he has received certifications in mental health from
esteemed institutions like Yale, UoFT, CAMH, and UBC.
Waleed has been entrusted in various settings to provide mental health support
to residential, outpatient, and inpatient clients. His broad base of training and experience working with mood and anxiety disorders and stress management enables him to cater to the clients' needs empathetically and sensitively.​
Waleed primarily works within the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) framework, with the ability to integrate mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), motivational interviewing (MI) and dialectic behavioural therapy (DBT), as needed to cultivate positive outcomes from the treatment. He is fluent in English, Urdu, Kutchi / Memoni, and Hindi.
Nayab Tahir
MACP, RP (Qualifying)
As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered
Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and valued member of the Canadian
Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), Nayab brings a wealth
of expertise to her therapeutic practice. Her robust academic foundation
includes a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology, alongside both a
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from
the University of Saskatchewan. She has further enhanced her therapeutic toolkit
with Phase 1 certification in Brainspotting.
Drawing from her diverse clinical experience in outpatient hospital settings and specialized work in opioid and RAAM clinics, Nayab brings a comprehensive understanding of addiction treatment and mental health support. She skillfully addresses a wide spectrum of challenges, including mood disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, and the complex interplay of religious and cultural identity. Her unique background allows her to provide care that is both clinically and culturally sound.
In her therapeutic approach, Nayab primarily employs Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) while seamlessly integrating other evidence-based modalities such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Brainspotting. This integrative approach ensures that each client receives personalized care tailored to their specific needs and goals.
Committed to accessible mental health care, Nayab offers services in multiple languages including English, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi.
Zuhair Siddiqi
Clinic Coordinator
Zuhair earned his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with
a research-intensive specialization from the University of Waterloo. During
university, he gained experience in psychological research and developed
a strong foundation in understanding human behaviour. At present, he
participates in a psychiatric clinic, where he observes clinical assessments,
treatment planning, and patient interactions, deepening his understanding of
mental health care.
He is hoping to pursue a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy and is passionate about supporting mental health in South Asian and Muslim communities by addressing stigma and cultural barriers.
