My name is Dr. Yacob Tekie (Pronounced: Yakhoab Te-Ki-ē). He/Him/His pronouns.
I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania as well as in different states through Psypact. I received my doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and completed a clinical doctoral internship and Postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, Student Health and Counseling center, where I am a full-time Staff Psychologist.
I believe therapy is an opportunity to alleviate emotional pain and also a safe space to reflect and grow. When seeking therapy, many people might be unsure of what they want and afraid of the uncertainty. My hope is to help you walk through a healthy perspective to replenish a meaningful and rewarding life where you could see yourself more completely and inspire yourself to be the Calm Within the Storm.
With a compassionate, non-judgmental, and psychologically mindful space, I hope you will feel deeply understood and optimistic. I work from a genuine, authentic and collaboratively open style and my therapy is tailored to each client’s needs and presenting problems. During our sessions, we may focus on discovering new coping strategies to manage problems, widening your perspective, providing tools to overcome stressors, facilitate insight as well as promoting self-care and resiliency. Having an international background, I value diversity and I am deeply attuned to your unique social and cultural identity and its effect on your individuality, sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Furthermore, I am passionate about community engagement, relationships and organizational development and I work closely with different communities and organizations to provide mental health services, workshops, training, and private consultations on topics of racial assault and trauma, interpersonal violence and sexual assault, suicide prevention and intervention, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
I am part of a non-profit organization, The Lions Village, where I provide training to different professionals, educators and students to process racial assault and trauma through racial literacy, mindfulness and narrative therapy.
When I take off my counselor hat, I indulge in photography, painting and woodworking. My family, friends and colleagues are my main source of happiness.
Credentials and Professional Training
PhD. University of Tennessee Knoxville
MA – University of Tennessee Knoxville
BA – Asmara University
Postdoctoral Internship, University of Pennsylvania Counseling and Psychological Services
Predoctoral Internship, University of Pennsylvania Counseling and Psychological Services
Trained in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy – Externship
Completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Professional Affiliations
International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Philadelphia Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (PSPP)
Society for Refugee Healthcare Providers
Association for University and College Counseling Center Outreach
National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP)
