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Niki Zekri

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Instructor

  • Founder, Board Member, and Faculty Member of Khishtan Psychoanalysis Association
  • Professional Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
  • Former Member of the International Association for Self Psychology (IAPSP)
  • Former Faculty Member of the Tehran Psychoanalytic Institute
  • Holder of an Analytical Psychotherapy Certificate from the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (EFPP)
  • Resident of Vancouver, Canada

Education and Specialized Training:

  • Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Psychology – Tehran
  • Specialized Certificates in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (Domestic and International)
  • Specialized Certificate in Psychoanalytic Couples Therapy
  • Specialized Training in Child and Adolescent
  • Psychotherapy
    Course in Maternal and Infant Mental Health

Areas of Expertise:

  • Adult and couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy

  • Child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy

  • Clinical supervision and psychoanalytic psychotherapy training

  • Parent counseling and education

  • Maternal and infant mental health

  • Facilitator of workshops and group sessions on diverse mental health topics for both the public and professionals

  • Counseling on immigration and related psychological challenges, individually and in groups

  • Psychoanalytic film analysis for the public to enhance psychological awareness

  • Active participation in cultural projects and mental health initiatives for the Iranian immigrant community

Languages:

  • Persian (Native)

  • English (Fluent)

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Introduction

Psychoanalytic therapy is an inner, human, and restorative journey—a space for rebuilding self-awareness, being truly seen, and forming genuine connections. Nearly two decades of working with adults, couples, and children, both in the therapy room and as a supervisor and instructor, have made this path not just a profession but a living, ongoing life experience.

Clinical work, teaching, and accompanying the psychological growth of others have been a dynamic and evolving journey for me—a journey toward deeper understanding, richer connections, and the rebirth of the psyche.

My perspective, inspired by Self Psychology and Object Relations theory, holds that the therapeutic space serves as a ground to revisit wounded experiences, develop a living relationship with oneself, and build authentic and meaningful connections with others.

I believe that empathetic presence and genuine relational engagement are the foundation of therapy. This space is alive and intersubjective—a place where the psyche can be heard, understood, and recreated. Within such a space, the individual has the opportunity to experience life in a deeper, richer, and more human way.

Personal Therapy and Supervision

Professional growth of a therapist is closely linked to their personal journey. Personal therapy and receiving specialized supervision from reputable international psychoanalysts, along with consistent participation in clinical training, provide the fundamental basis for developing deep insight and clinical competencies. I believe that the significance of these two elements in the training and development of a therapist is crucial, as they go beyond theoretical learning and pave the way for better self-understanding and continuous improvement in the quality of therapy.

Choosing the type of psychotherapy and psychotherapist

At KhishTan Online, we believe psychotherapy is a space for understanding — not for judgment or quick answers.
Here, you can explore, reflect, and choose the therapist and approach that feel right for you.
Every step is taken with care, awareness, and respect for your pace.

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Individual Psychotherapy / Psycho- Immigration

• Each session lasts 45 minutes.
• Sessions are held regularly and weekly at a pre-scheduled time. If rescheduling is necessary, prior coordination with the therapist is required, and a new time will be arranged if possible.
• If needed, more than one session per week can be scheduled.
• Sessions are mainly conducted online via Skype or Google Meet.
• The session begins at the scheduled time, and the video call must be initiated by the client. If the client is late, the lost time will not be compensated. However, if the therapist starts late, the time will be made up.
• Sessions canceled by the client are subject to full payment. Please note that each therapist may have a slightly different working framework, which will be explained during the first session.
• If a session is canceled due to internet issues or any other reason on the therapist’s side, a replacement session will be arranged.
• After the first session (booked online), payment must be made before each session begins, and the payment receipt must be sent to the therapist.
• Holiday policies may vary depending on the therapist and will be discussed in the initial sessions.

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Couples and Family Therapy

• Each session lasts 75 minutes.
• The number and frequency of monthly sessions vary depending on therapeutic needs and will be discussed in the first session.
• Sessions are mainly conducted online via Skype or Google Meet.
• The session begins at the scheduled time, and the video call must be initiated by the couple or family members. If clients are late, the lost time will not be compensated. However, if the therapist starts late, the session will be extended accordingly.
• Sessions canceled by clients are subject to full payment. Each therapist may have a slightly different working framework, which will be explained during the first session.
• After the first session (booked online), payment must be made before each session begins, and the payment receipt must be sent to the therapist.
• If a session is canceled due to internet issues or any other reason on the therapist’s side, a replacement session will be arranged. However, if the issue is on the clients’ side, the session will not be rescheduled.
• Holiday policies may vary depending on the therapist and will be discussed in the initial sessions.

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Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

• In child therapy, sessions with parents are held before starting the treatment. The child’s therapy begins once the parents are adequately prepared for collaboration. Additional sessions with parents may also take place during the course of therapy.
• For children, in-person sessions are preferred; however, if not possible, sessions will be conducted online.
• In adolescent therapy, separate sessions with parents may be arranged if necessary, and these may continue throughout the treatment.
• Each session lasts 45 minutes.
• Sessions are held regularly and weekly at a pre-scheduled time. If rescheduling is necessary, prior coordination with the therapist is required, and a new time will be arranged if possible.
• If needed, more than one session per week can be scheduled.
• Sessions are mainly conducted online via Skype or Google Meet.
• The session begins at the scheduled time, and the video call must be initiated by the client. If the client is late, the lost time will not be compensated. However, if the therapist starts late, the time will be made up.
• Sessions canceled by the client are subject to full payment. Please note that each therapist may have a slightly different working framework, which will be explained during the first session.
• After the first session (booked online), payment must be made before each session begins, and the payment receipt must be sent to the therapist.
• If a session is canceled due to internet issues or any other reason on the therapist’s side, a replacement session will be arranged.
• Holiday policies may vary depending on the therapist and will be discussed in the initial sessions.

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Parent Consultation

• Each session lasts 60 minutes.

The number and frequency of sessions per month depend on therapeutic needs and will be discussed in the first session. • Sessions are conducted online via Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. • The session starts at the scheduled time, and the video call must be initiated by the client. If the client starts late, the lost time will not be compensated. If the therapist starts late, the time will be made up. • Sessions canceled by the client are subject to full payment. Each therapist may have a slightly different working framework, which will be explained during the first session. • After the first session (booked online), payment must be made before each session begins, and the payment receipt must be sent to the therapist. • If a session is canceled due to internet issues or any other reason on the therapist’s side, a replacement session will be arranged. Sessions canceled due to internet issues on the client’s side will not be rescheduled. • Holiday policies may vary depending on the therapist and will be explained during the initial sessions.

1- Why Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a therapeutic dialogue — a deep, gradual, and meaningful conversation. This approach helps us understand how what happens in our unconscious influences our decisions, relationships, emotions, and everyday behaviors. Many issues that appear simple or repetitive on the surface often have roots in early experiences and hidden layers of the psyche. As long as these roots remain unaddressed, the cycle of repetition continues, and superficial solutions prove ineffective.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy provides an opportunity for profound self-exploration — to recognize the hidden patterns of feelings and thoughts, understand the complexities of the mind, and connect with what truly happens within us. Instead of focusing solely on symptoms, this approach seeks to uncover the underlying causes of psychological phenomena. It is this depth of understanding that makes psychoanalysis one of the most enduring and effective forms of therapy.

2- How Do I Know If I Need Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy?

At times, we encounter emotions in life whose origins are unclear: anxieties without an obvious reason, relationships that repeatedly fail, or recurring feelings such as emptiness, worthlessness, shame, guilt, fear, and anger that surface in different situations. When these emotions and patterns persist in a cyclical, confusing, or overwhelming way, they may signal the presence of overlooked aspects of our unconscious that need attention. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is an effort to understand these hidden layers of the psyche.

The goal is not merely to reduce symptoms but to help us cause less harm to ourselves and others, increase our capacity to tolerate difficult emotions and realities, and form more stable and secure connections with ourselves and others. This process draws on our inner potential and capacities — fostering awareness, discovering meaning, and deepening our lived experiences and human relationships.

3- Are Online Psychotherapy Sessions Effective?

Yes, online psychotherapy sessions can be effective. With advances in technology, it has become possible to conduct sessions that, in terms of communication quality, are not significantly different from in-person meetings. In the past — especially before the COVID-19 pandemic — many psychoanalytic institutions and professional therapists recognized only in-person sessions as valid. However, during the pandemic, the need for online services led to a widespread adoption of virtual therapy.

Research studies have also shown that online sessions can, in many cases, be as effective as in-person therapy. Of course, their effectiveness depends on the quality of the therapeutic relationship, the safety of the virtual space, and the client’s psychological readiness to engage online. Furthermore, successful online sessions require a quiet, distraction-free environment that respects privacy, allowing the client to participate in the conversation with focus and a sense of security.

Confidentiality is one of the fundamental principles of psychotherapy. For this reason, all online psychotherapy sessions are conducted in a completely private therapy room, and recording sessions — whether by the therapist or the client — is strictly prohibited.

The Self Psychoanalytic Association Clinic has established a code of ethics based on the revised and updated principles of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA), which includes a set of ethical standards and guidelines to direct the professional conduct of its members. These principles cover interactions with patients, minor patients and their parents or guardians (if applicable), supervisors, students, colleagues, and the general public.

The ethical framework is founded on respect for human dignity and emphasizes the protection of patients’ autonomy and rights. Key principles observed in all therapeutic activities include:

  • Respect for patient autonomy
  • Non-maleficence (avoiding harm)
  • Beneficence (acting in the patient’s best interest)
  • Honesty
  • Adherence to professional commitments

Additionally, therapists are required to establish relationships based on trust and safety in all therapeutic interactions and to avoid any misuse of the therapeutic relationship. They are expected to continuously engage in self-assessment, reflection, and supervision sessions to protect both the client and themselves as professionals.

<< Read Our Code of Ethics >>