About
Zahra Dashtaki is a licensed professional counselor and certified reciprocal advanced alcohol and drug abuse counselor (CRAADC) with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals navigate a wide range of mental health and substance use concerns. She works with people experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, life transitions and the challenges that come with aging, as well as those seeking support for substance use disorders. Before joining MU Health Care, Zahra spent 10 years working in the violent sex offender program at Fulton State Hospital.
Zahra takes a client-centered approach to care, focusing on each person’s role as the expert in their life. She incorporates motivational interview and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help clients better understand their values, beliefs and behaviors. Zahra is fluent in English and Persian and is committed to bringing the progress and change that people experience through self-actualizing to diverse populations.
In her spare time, Zahra enjoys gardening, traveling, visiting with friends, learning about nature and watching space programs. She is widowed and has adopted two stray cats, Zardeh and Chocolate.
Education & Training
Graduate Institution
Insurances
MU Health Care participates with most major managed care organizations. To find out whether MU Health Care is a participating provider in your insurance plan or network, or for information on co-payments and deductibles, please contact your insurance carrier directly.
Academic Information
Research Areas of Expertise
- Individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, including dual diagnosis-schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and anxiety
- Eating disorders, such as emotional eating
- Grief and loss
- Couples counseling (communication, division of labor, blending families, setting boundaries, infidelity)
- Aging and stressors of later life (dementia, cancer, loss of spouse, death and dying)
- Employment assistance (work conflict, work stress on family)