Ask Hakeem: Answers About Starting Therapy at Al-Kindi
Hakeem, whose name means the wise one, is Al-Kindi's website guide. Chat with him from any page using the Ask Hakeem button, or browse every answer below: getting started, the free 30-minute assessment, insurance, therapy approaches, support groups, our team and more.
Getting Started & How to Apply
How do I start therapy at Al-Kindi?
Starting is simple:
- Not sure what you need? Book a free 30-minute assessment by video or in person. We'll help you decide if therapy is the right step, what kind of support fits, and who on our team is the best match.
- Ready to begin? Click Schedule Session and complete the secure clinical intake form. Our team will follow up to set up your first appointment.
- Using insurance? Have your card handy. We're in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Aetna, Cigna, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Optum and UnitedHealthcare.
About the free assessment → Schedule Session (intake form) →
What is the clinical intake form, and where do I find it?
The clinical intake form is how new clients get started. It collects your contact details, insurance information and what's bringing you to therapy, so we can match you with the right clinician. You'll find it under Schedule Session at the top of the homepage and in the Client Forms section. It opens right on our site.
What's the difference between the free assessment, a consultation and the intake?
- Free 30-minute assessment: a no-cost conversation with our clinical team to sort out if, what, how, when and who: the right kind of care, format and clinician for you.
- Contact & consultation form: for general questions about services, insurance or availability, and for organizations interested in consultation or training.
- Clinical intake: the formal first step to becoming a client and scheduling ongoing sessions.
About the free assessment → Contact & Consultation form → Schedule Session (intake form) →
Do I need a referral or a diagnosis to start?
No diagnosis needed, and most people don't need a referral. Many come to us simply because they feel stuck, overwhelmed, numb, lonely or not like themselves. Some insurance plans do require a referral from your primary care provider, so it's worth a quick check with the member services number on your card.
Are you accepting new clients, and how soon can I be seen?
Yes, we're accepting new clients for individual, couples, family and teen therapy, in person in Arlington and online anywhere in Massachusetts. Openings change from week to week, so the quickest way to know is to request a free assessment or complete the intake form; our team will reply with current availability. Groups are small and keep a waiting list. If you need help right away, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.
Request a free assessment → Schedule Session (intake form) →
What happens in the first therapy session?
Your first session is a chance to get to know your clinician and share what's bringing you in, at your own pace. You'll talk about your goals, your story and what you'd like to change. Your clinician will explain how they work, how confidentiality works and what a plan might look like. You never have to share more than you're ready to.
How often will I meet with my therapist, and for how long?
Most people start with weekly sessions, and many move to every other week as things improve. You and your clinician decide the length and pace together and revisit it as you go. There's no fixed number of sessions you have to commit to.
I'm already a client. How do I reach my clinician or ask about billing?
Welcome back. Use the secure client portal link from the emails we've sent you, or reach out to your clinician directly. For billing or scheduling questions, call (978) 996-8033.
The Free 30-Minute Assessment
What is the free 30-minute assessment?
It's a free, no-obligation 30-minute conversation with a member of our clinical team, by secure video or in person at our Arlington office. Think of it as triage: we listen to what's going on and help you decide if therapy is the right step now, what kind of support fits (individual, couples, family, teen or group), how to meet (in person or online), when to start, and who on our team is the best match. If another kind of care would serve you better, we'll say so and point you in the right direction.
How do I book the free assessment?
Click Request a free assessment and fill out the short form. Mention that you'd like the free 30-minute assessment and whether you prefer video or in person. Our team will reach out to confirm a time. You can also call (978) 996-8033.
Is the assessment really free? Will my insurance be billed?
Yes, it's completely free and nothing is billed to your insurance. There's no obligation to continue afterward.
What should I prepare for the free assessment?
Nothing formal. It helps to think about what's been hardest lately, what you'd like to be different, what matters to you in a therapist, your schedule, and your insurance plan. Bring your questions too: the assessment is as much for you to get to know us as for us to understand you.
Who is the free assessment for?
Anyone in Massachusetts thinking about therapy: adults, couples, parents seeking support for a teen, and families. It's especially helpful if you're not sure where to start, if you're deciding between individual therapy and a group, or if you want to make sure we're the right fit before committing.
Is the free assessment a therapy session or a diagnosis?
No. It's a focused conversation to understand your needs and plan next steps, not a therapy session, a formal diagnosis or crisis care. If you're in immediate danger, call 911, or call or text 988 any time.
Insurance, Cost & Payment
Which insurance plans do you accept?
Al-Kindi Counseling Services is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Aetna, Cigna (including Evernorth), Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Optum and UnitedHealthcare. Most of these plans cover online sessions the same as in-person visits. Don't see your plan? We offer private-pay rates and can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.
How much will therapy cost with my insurance?
It depends on your plan's copay, deductible and coinsurance. The quickest way to know is to call the member services number on your insurance card and ask about outpatient mental health benefits. Our team can help you sort it out when you reach out.
Can I pay privately or use out-of-network benefits?
Yes. We offer private-pay (self-pay) options and can provide a superbill so you can seek out-of-network reimbursement from your insurer. Contact us for current private-pay rates.
Do you accept MassHealth?
Not at this time. Al-Kindi does not accept MassHealth or WellSense plans. MassHealth members can call or text the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445 (24/7) to find care.
How much do the support groups cost?
Severance: Reclaiming Your Life is $800 for 8 sessions. Music-Guided Mindfulness, the Grief & Healing Circle and Young Hearts Healing Circle are each $350 for 8 sessions. Group fees are per person, paid upfront to join the waiting list.
Therapy Approaches & Finding the Right Fit
Which type of therapy will work for me?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and that's exactly what the free 30-minute assessment is for. As a general guide:
- Anxiety and overthinking often respond well to CBT, mindfulness and body-based (somatic) tools.
- Low mood or feeling stuck can benefit from CBT, psychodynamic and narrative work.
- Trauma is approached with trauma-informed, somatic and narrative therapy, and EMDR is available.
- Relationships are supported with the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
- Teens often open up more through play, art and sandtray.
At Al-Kindi these tools are woven together through our HIKMA© method. Chat with Hakeem for a personal starting point.
What therapy approaches does Al-Kindi use?
Our clinicians draw on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, trauma-informed care, EMDR, somatic (body-based) therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness, DBT skills, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method for couples, play, art and sandtray therapy, music-based approaches and liberation psychology, all integrated through our own HIKMA© method.
Do you offer CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy)?
Yes. CBT is one of the core evidence-based tools in our HIKMA© method. It's often helpful for anxiety, overthinking, panic, low mood and perfectionism: you learn to notice unhelpful thought patterns and practice new ways of responding.
Do you offer EMDR?
Yes. EMDR is one of Teresa Dias's specialties. Teresa is Al-Kindi's Director of Clinical Training (LMHC, LPC, RPT). EMDR is an evidence-based therapy for trauma and distressing memories. Mention EMDR when you request your free assessment so we can check fit and availability.
Do you offer DBT?
We offer HIKMA© therapy with DBT skills integrated, delivered as a team. It's a strong option if you're looking for help with intense emotions, distress tolerance and relationships. During your free assessment we can talk through whether it fits what you need.
Do you use the Gottman Method or Emotionally Focused Therapy?
Yes. For couples we use the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), alongside HIKMA© techniques, to improve communication, ease recurring conflict and rebuild trust and closeness.
Can therapy include music, art, mindfulness or the body?
Yes. Depending on your needs and your clinician, sessions can draw on mindfulness, somatic (body-based) approaches, play, art and sandtray, and our in-person Music-Guided Mindfulness group. No musical or artistic experience is needed.
Can I bring my faith, spirituality or culture into therapy?
Yes. Culturally responsive care is at the center of our practice. We regularly support children of immigrants, first-generation professionals, international students, people navigating family expectations across generations, and anyone living between two cultures. Spirituality is one of the four domains of our HIKMA© method, defined in whatever way is meaningful to you. We welcome clients of every background, faith or no faith.
Do I need to share Al-Kindi's culture or faith to work with you?
Not at all. Al-Kindi was a philosopher whose ideas belong to everyone. Our clients come from every background, faith and none. What matters is that your own culture, values and story are respected in the room.
Are you LGBTQ+ affirming?
Yes. Al-Kindi is LGBTQ+ affirming, and we honor diverse identities, relationships and life paths.
Do your clinicians prescribe medication?
No. Our team provides therapy and doesn't prescribe medication. If medication might help, we're glad to coordinate with your primary care provider or a psychiatric prescriber, with your permission.
Do you do psychological or neuropsychological testing?
We don't offer neuropsychological testing. If you need a formal evaluation (for example, for ADHD or learning differences), your primary care provider can refer you to a testing provider, and we're happy to support you in therapy alongside it.
Do you offer therapy in languages other than English?
Sessions are currently offered in English. If you'd like to talk through language needs, mention it when you request your free assessment.
What We Help With
Do you help with anxiety and overthinking?
Yes. We help with overthinking and racing thoughts, constant worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, health anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome and the Sunday-night dread before the week begins, using CBT, mindfulness and body-based tools within our HIKMA© method.
Do you help with depression or feeling stuck?
Yes. Feeling empty or numb, losing motivation, going through the motions, loneliness in a busy life and the heavy, low-light months of a New England winter are all things we help with. You don't need a diagnosis to reach out.
Do you help with burnout, overwork and work-life balance?
Yes. We work with professionals, academics, healthcare workers, students and caregivers who feel exhausted, can't switch off, or measure their worth by productivity. Support is available through individual therapy and Severance: Reclaiming Your Life, our small in-person work-life balance group in Arlington.
Do you offer grief counseling?
Yes. We offer individual grief counseling, the virtual Grief & Healing Circle for adults grieving the death of someone they love, and Young Hearts Healing Circle, an in-person group for teens who have lost a parent.
Do you work with trauma?
Yes. Our care is trauma-informed. Clinicians use narrative, somatic and psychodynamic approaches, and EMDR is available with Teresa Dias. You set the pace, and nothing is rushed.
Natasha Kewene-Hite's profile → Teresa Dias's profile → About the free assessment →
Do you offer couples counseling?
Yes. We help couples at every stage, including dating, premarital, new parents, long-term partners, and intercultural and interfaith couples, with communication, recurring arguments, rebuilding trust and in-law tension, using the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy and HIKMA© techniques.
Do you offer family therapy?
Yes. We work with families navigating conflict, big changes, grief, caring for aging parents and expectations across generations, helping everyone feel heard.
Do you treat eating disorders?
Yes. We support people with eating disorders and their loved ones through a family therapy support team. Mention it when you request your free assessment so we can plan the right team for you.
Do you treat OCD?
Yes. OCD is well within our team's experience. We can talk through what you're noticing, your goals and the right approach during a free 30-minute assessment.
Do you help with ADHD?
Yes, we offer therapy support for ADHD: focus, organization, overwhelm and the emotional side of living with ADHD. We don't provide ADHD testing or medication, but we're glad to coordinate with your doctor.
Do you work with teens?
Yes. Our clinicians support teens with anxiety, low mood, school stress, identity questions and grief, using talk therapy alongside play, art and sandtray. Young Hearts Healing Circle is an in-person group for teens who have lost a parent. Parents or guardians can request the free assessment on their teen's behalf. For younger children, ask during the assessment and we'll let you know if we're the right fit.
Teresa Dias's profile → Young Hearts Healing Circle → About the free assessment →
Do you work with graduate and international students?
Yes. We support college, graduate and international students with academic pressure, being far from home, identity questions and the stress of demanding programs, in person in Arlington or online anywhere in Massachusetts.
Do you work with musicians and creatives?
Yes. We help musicians, artists and other creatives with performance anxiety, creative blocks and the pressures of a creative life. Our Music-Guided Mindfulness group pairs live oud music with mindful listening.
Do you treat a concern that isn't listed on the website?
Our clinicians support a wide range of concerns, and the website can't list them all. For anything not mentioned here, such as bipolar disorder, substance use or another diagnosis, the free 30-minute assessment is the best way to find out whether we're the right fit, or to get pointed toward a specialist who is.
Is there anything Al-Kindi doesn't offer?
We're not a crisis or emergency service, we don't prescribe medication or offer neuropsychological testing, and we don't currently accept MassHealth or WellSense plans. Therapy is available to clients located in Massachusetts. If we're not the right fit, we'll help point you somewhere that is.
Support Groups
What support groups does Al-Kindi offer?
We run four small, clinician-led groups of 8 sessions each:
- Severance: Reclaiming Your Life: in person, for burnout, overwork and work addiction ($800)
- Music-Guided Mindfulness: in person, live oud music and mindful listening for anxiety and balance ($350)
- Grief & Healing Circle: virtual, for adults grieving someone they love ($350)
- Young Hearts Healing Circle: in person, for teens who have lost a parent ($350)
Severance group → Music-Guided Mindfulness group → Grief & Healing Circle → Young Hearts Healing Circle →
How do I join a group?
Click Request to Join on the group's card or page. Group fees are paid upfront to hold your place on the waiting list, and our team will follow up about the next start date, fit and next steps. Groups are intentionally small, so spots are limited.
What is the Severance group?
Severance: Reclaiming Your Life is an 8-session, clinician-led in-person group in Arlington for adults struggling with overwork, burnout or work addiction. It meets weekly for 60 minutes as a closed group of 8 to 12 members, and costs $800 per person. Borrowing the idea of the TV series, it helps the person who works and the person who lives find each other again. You don't need to have watched the show or quit your job.
What is the Music-Guided Mindfulness group?
Inspired by Al-Kindi's writings on music and the soul, each in-person session pairs live oud improvisation with guided mindful listening. Every week explores a new traditional melodic mode, each with its own mood, to calm anxiety, steady the nervous system and build presence and connection. No musical experience needed. $350 for 8 sessions.
What is the Grief & Healing Circle?
A small, clinician-led virtual circle for adults in Massachusetts grieving the death of someone they love. Over eight sessions, members share their stories, learn how grief lives in the body, heart, mind and spirit, and find ways to keep a lasting bond with the person they lost. $350 for 8 sessions.
What is Young Hearts Healing Circle?
An 8-session, in-person grief group in Arlington for teens who have lost a parent or parent figure, led by licensed clinicians. Through peer connection and creative activities like music, art and storytelling, teens express what's hard to put into words, learn ways to cope at school and at home, and keep their parent's memory close. Nobody is pushed to share more than they want to. $350 per teen, with a parent or guardian's support.
Should I join a group or start individual therapy?
Groups offer connection with people who understand, and many members join alongside individual therapy. Individual therapy offers more personal focus and flexibility. If you're in an acute crisis or a very recent loss, individual support is usually the better first step. Not sure? The free 30-minute assessment can help you choose.
Our Team
Who are the clinicians at Al-Kindi?
- Basel Zayed: Founder & Clinical Director
- Francesca Vitale, LICSW: Director of Clinical Supervision
- Teresa Dias, LMHC, LPC, RPT: Director of Clinical Training
- Natasha Kewene-Hite: Counselor
- Lakshmi Haferman: Counselor
Our licensed clinicians and supervised clinical residents work as one collaborative team.
Who is Basel Zayed?
Basel Zayed is Al-Kindi's Founder & Clinical Director and the creator of the HIKMA© method. A psychotherapist since 2012 with local and international experience, he is a Professor of mental health counseling at Lesley University and a researcher at Curry College's Brain and Behavior Laboratory, where he leads a lab exploring the intersections of music, identity and mental health.
Who is Francesca Vitale?
Francesca Vitale, LICSW, is Al-Kindi's Director of Clinical Supervision. A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, she uses a strength-based, person-centered and collaborative approach, with attention to physical activity, nature, nutrition, sleep and mindfulness.
Who is Teresa Dias?
Teresa Dias, LMHC, LPC, RPT, is Al-Kindi's Director of Clinical Training. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist, she uses play, art, sandtray and mindfulness to support teens and adults with anxiety, depression and trauma. EMDR is one of her specialties.
Who is Natasha Kewene-Hite?
Natasha Kewene-Hite is a counselor at Al-Kindi who uses trauma-informed, narrative and somatic therapies, emphasizing the mind-body-spirit connection within an anti-oppression framework.
Who is Lakshmi Haferman?
Lakshmi Haferman is a counselor at Al-Kindi whose work is person-centered and deeply relational, grounded in liberation psychology, addressing systemic oppression and collective healing.
Can I choose my therapist?
Yes. Tell us who you'd like to work with, or what matters to you in a therapist, such as style, gender, cultural background or schedule. We'll match you based on fit and availability, and the free assessment is a great place to talk it through.
What does team-based care mean at Al-Kindi?
Our licensed clinicians and supervised clinical residents work collaboratively. Residents are supervised by experienced licensed clinicians, and the team consults together, so your care benefits from more than one perspective.
Location, Online Sessions & Scheduling
Where is your office?
Our office is at 7 Central Street, Suite 160, Arlington, MA 02476, a short trip from Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Belmont, Lexington, Winchester, Woburn, Burlington, Watertown, Waltham, Newton, Malden, Melrose, Stoneham, Bedford, Brookline and Boston. For parking or accessibility questions, give us a call at (978) 996-8033.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes. We offer secure video sessions to anyone located in Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to Cape Cod. Most of our in-network plans cover online sessions the same as in-person visits.
About the free assessment → Schedule Session (intake form) →
Can I work with you if I live outside Massachusetts?
Therapy is available to clients located in Massachusetts at the time of each session, in person or online. If you're outside Massachusetts, we can't provide therapy, but organizations anywhere can work with us for clinical consultation and training.
How can I contact Al-Kindi?
Call (978) 996-8033, use the Contact & Consultation form, or request a free 30-minute assessment. Our office is at 7 Central Street, Suite 160, Arlington, MA 02476.
What days and times are sessions available?
Appointment times vary by clinician, and we offer both in-person and online sessions. Share your preferred days and times when you request a free assessment or complete the intake, and we'll find what works for you.
Request a free assessment → Schedule Session (intake form) →
What is your cancellation policy?
Your clinician will review our practice policies, including cancellations and missed appointments, during intake. For questions before then, call (978) 996-8033.
Finding Your Way Around the Website
How do I find my way around the website?
Here's a quick map of the site.
Home → Services → What we help with → All support groups → Meet our team → Insurance we accept → Common questions → Client forms → About the free assessment → Schedule Session (intake form) → Al-Kindi's story & the HIKMA© method → Therapy in Arlington, MA →
About Al-Kindi, the HIKMA© Method & What's Next
Who was Al-Kindi, and why is the practice named after him?
Al-Kindi (c. 801–873) was a pioneering philosopher and physician of the 9th century who wrote about the mind and soul, easing sorrow, and the healing power of music. Our practice is inspired by his legacy, honoring the interplay of reason, spirituality and culture in your healing.
What is the HIKMA© method?
HIKMA© (Holistic, Integrative, Knowledge-based, Mindfulness Approach) is Al-Kindi Counseling Services' own therapeutic approach, developed by founder Basel Zayed. Inspired by Al-Kindi, it integrates the four domains of wellbeing, Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual (PEMS), with modern evidence-based tools such as psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and trauma-informed therapy.
Is Al-Kindi's approach evidence-based?
Yes. HIKMA© brings together well-researched approaches like CBT, psychodynamic and trauma-informed therapy, and the story and theory behind it are supported by modern evidence.
What makes Al-Kindi different?
- Team-based care, with licensed clinicians and supervised residents working together
- Culturally responsive and LGBTQ+ affirming
- Our own HIKMA© method, caring for body, heart, mind and spirit
- In person in Arlington or online across Massachusetts
- In-network with major insurance plans
- A free 30-minute assessment, so you can find the right fit first
About the free assessment → Al-Kindi's story & the HIKMA© method →
What's next for Al-Kindi?
Al-Kindi is growing: welcoming new clients, building new groups, expanding our team, and bringing the HIKMA© method to clinicians and organizations through consultation and training. Our vision is simple: From Arlington to the entire world.
Organizations & Joining Our Team
Do you offer consultation or training for organizations?
Yes. We offer clinical consultation, program planning, burnout prevention, culturally responsive care training and team-building for workplaces, schools, clinical teams and mental health professionals, from Arlington to the entire world, including organizations outside Massachusetts. Reach out through the Contact & Consultation form.
How can I join the Al-Kindi team as a clinician?
We're always glad to hear from clinicians and clinical residents who share our values. Send a short note through the Contact & Consultation form with your background and interests, and mention that you're asking about joining the team.
Safety, Privacy & About Hakeem
What should I do if I'm in crisis?
Al-Kindi is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For urgent emotional support at any time, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). In Massachusetts you can also call or text the Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445, 24/7.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. What you share in therapy is kept confidential, with a few legal and safety exceptions, such as when someone is at risk of serious harm. Your clinician will explain these at the start so you know exactly how your information is protected.
Is what I type to Hakeem private?
I don't save or send what you type. This chat runs in your browser and clears when you close the tab. Even so, please don't share private health details here; save those for a confidential conversation with your clinician.
Who is Hakeem?
I'm Hakeem, Al-Kindi's website guide. My name means “the wise one,” in honor of the philosopher who inspired our practice. I can answer questions about getting started, the free assessment, insurance, therapy approaches, groups and our team, and help you find your way around the site. I'm an automated guide, not a therapist, so I can't give clinical advice or a diagnosis. For anything personal, our clinicians are here for you.
Hakeem is an automated guide, not a therapist, and can't give clinical advice or a diagnosis. In crisis? Call 911 if you are in danger, call or text 988 any time, or call or text the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445.