Clinical Director

Menahal Begawala is a licensed mental health counselor, LMHC, LPC, in New York and New Jersey and serves as the Clinical Director at Ruh. She specializes in trauma and marriage counseling, bringing over a decade of experience working with the Muslim community. Her approach is trauma-focused, attachment-based, and integrates Islamic principles into mental health treatment.

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Menahal is certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and EMDR and has completed advanced training in trauma and dissociation. In her work with couples, she has trained with the Gottman Institute and authored the Islamic Reference Guide for the Gottman Method, ensuring that evidence-based relationship strategies align with Islamic values.

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At the heart of her work is the belief that Allah has created humans with both the capacity to heal and an innate resilience. She sees therapy as a way to help individuals and couples reconnect with their strengths, break unhelpful patterns, and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

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Beyond her clinical work, Menahal has been involved in Muslim community work for over 20 years, from mental health advocacy to educational initiatives that bridge psychology and faith. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with loved ones.