Hadidja Nyiransekuye, PhD, LMSW, Supervised by Cassidy Baker, LCSW

I obtained my PhD from the University of Denver in social work, and I am a licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW). I am currently working to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) under the supervision of Cassidy Baker, LCSW, ACSW. As a survivor myself, I have dedicated my life to helping survivors through their healing as well as addressing systemic issues and needs through advocacy, education, and research. While working as an assistant professor of social work in the University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service, I won the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers that honors a member of the organization that exemplifies top-tier values and achievements. 

My research, advocacy, and teaching has centered largely on refugee experiences, genocide, and the related trauma and grief. I have worked with survivors of genocide to document their experiences and produce a repository of their survival stories. I believe that when trauma survivors are provided the opportunity to share their stories, it is a way for them to reconcile their experiences and begin to heal. I want people to be aware that genocide, acts of violence, enslavement and terror continue to be inflicted on human beings here in the United States and around the world. I believe it is important to tell the stories of these victims, validate their experiences and tirelessly advocate for the rights of all human beings. 

My Approach as a Therapist 

My practice work includes working with victims of relational violence, crime victimization including genocide survivors, refugees and immigrants, and other traumatic experiences. Core to my counseling philosophy is the understanding that my clients and I live in an ever changing, interconnected world. In the counseling room, I support clients to develop and refine their commitment to healing and adapt safely and positively to this ever-changing world. My counseling philosophy is deeply informed by the Socratic method of exploration, the core values of integrity and respect for human dignity, and my personal background as a healer from outside the United States.   I believe that a crucial component of an excellent therapeutic relationship is to create a safe and trusting space which is characterized by meeting clients where they are and fostering a cultural humility that is necessary to allow the client to be an integral part of the healing process. I offer a unique and valuable multicultural perspective that enriches the healing relationship.  It is both my commitment and responsibility as a counselor to provide a space that allows clients to build healthy life skills moving forward. I draw from multiple trauma- informed treatment modalities for my counseling approaches that include narrative therapy, cognitive processing therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnotherapy.

You can contact me directly at Hadidja@lotusflowermound.com