Sage Spotlight - February 2021

Interview WITH SAGE CENTER ATLANTA's counseling intern and intake coordinator, Afshan Lakhani.

For the month of February our Sage Spotlight is, counseling intern and intake coordinator, Afshan Lakhani.

Afshan holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology, and is currently pursuing a Master's in Counseling from Northwestern University. Prior to pursuing a career in the field of counseling and mental health, she worked with non-profits focusing on youth advancement and education. Through her non-profit experience, Afshan has worked with youth from various backgrounds including youth working through family challenges, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression and identity development.

As a servant leader, Afshan has a deep history of community outreach and volunteerism, demonstrating the value of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. She is energetic, personable, and dedicated to the well-being and holistic development for all those around her. Afshan has the instinct, intuition, and experience to spark the very best in individuals and the teams she works with. She aspires to offer counseling and therapy services that will support everyone she works with to become the best version of themselves and live a quality lifestyle.

Afshan is providing counseling services at Sage Center Atlanta through Sage Therapy and Education Partnership (STEP) under the supervision of Pegge Riley, LPC and Angela Wacht, LPC.

Continue reading for Afshan interview.

Q: What type of clients do you tend to work with?
A: I work with primarily young adults who are working through life transitions or experiencing anxiety, trauma and/or grief. I also work with clients who are going through identifying as LBGTQAI+.
Eventually after my internship is completed I want to work with children and adolescents as well.

Q: What is the most important part of your practice?
A: I really like to focus on client focused. I want to have a good understanding the client's wants and needs. I realize that where I want to go may not be where they are. 

Q: What is something that you continue to learn about as a therapist?
A: There is nothing that can be a cookie cutter when getting to know someone. Even if I have two clients with the same type of “stuff”, they are going to be completely different. I am constantly not going to know it all. For each client I do my own studying and research over and over again. The only thing I do know is that I will always be learning in order to be an effective counselor in evolving times.

Q: If you could describe yourself as a counselor in three words, what would they be?
A: Compassionate, Evolving, Challenging

Q: What type of therapy do you provide?
A: I mostly always start with psychodynamic therapy. That is the foundation in my perspective. However, as I work more with my clients and get to know them better, I integrate other theories and interventions according to my clients goals. 


Q: What type of clients do you see? Age, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, life events, diagnosis, issues, personality etc.
A: Currently anyone 18+; No major diagnosis (i.e. schizophrenia) and no substance abuse

Q: Do you take insurance? If so which ones?
A: No.

Q: Do you provide therapy in person, virtually, or both?
A: Virtual

Q: Is there anything you want clients to know about you that hasn't been said yet?
A: I aspire to offer counseling and therapy services that will support my clients to become the best version of themselves and live a healthy and quality lifestyle.

For more information about our Sage Center Atlanta therapists, check out our team page here. 

If you or a loved one would like to reach out to our counseling intern, Afshan Lakhani, or another Sage Center Atlanta therapist you can contact us via phone or email.

Phone: 404-419-6221 or Email: [email protected]

*If you are a Georgia resident and in crisis please call the Georgia Crisis Access Line 1-800-715-4225. If you are experiencing a medical emergency please call 911.

*Please note this blog or any social media posts from Sage Center Atlanta do not serve in the place of therapy or mental health services. 

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About the Author

Amber Amick, APC, NCC, Professional School Counselor serves as the Director of Marketing and PR for Sage Center Atlanta. Amber is a practicing Sage Center Atlanta clinician and school counselor in the Metro Atlanta area. Amber is under the supervision of Sage Center Atlanta co-founder, Pegge Riley, LPC, CPCS and the direction of ​Sage Center Atlanta co-founder, Angela Wacht, LPC, NCC.