Meet the founder
Dr. Yacob Tekie
Dr. Yacob Tekie is a licensed psychologist, educator, speaker, and mental health advocate dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, culturally responsive mental health care. Throughout his career, he has worked in university counseling centers, community mental health settings, and private practice, helping adolescents, adults, and couples navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, identity development, life transitions, and personal growth.
Dr. Tekie currently serves as a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, where he provides psychotherapy, clinical consultation, outreach, supervision, and program development. In addition to his work at the university, he is the founder of Tesfa-House Psychotherapy & Consulting LLC, where he provides evidence-based therapy and consultation services. His clinical approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and trauma-informed care, while tailoring treatment to each person’s unique strengths, culture, values, and goals.
As an educator and trainer, Dr. Tekie has presented workshops, consulted with organizations, mentored emerging clinicians, and collaborated with universities, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations to promote mental health awareness and improve access to care. His professional interests include college mental health, multicultural counseling, trauma recovery, relationship wellness, suicide prevention, and reducing disparities in mental health services.
Dr. Tekie earned his Doctor of Psychology (PHD) in Counseling Psychology and has dedicated his career to helping individuals and communities thrive through compassionate, evidence-based, and culturally responsive care. He believes that meaningful healing begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, respect, and collaboration.
Vision for Tesfa House
Throughout his career, Dr. Tekie recognized that many individuals struggle to find mental health professionals who truly align with their unique needs, culture, language, identity, insurance, and therapeutic goals. At the same time, he saw many exceptional clinicians searching for meaningful ways to reach the communities they are passionate about serving.
These experiences inspired his vision for Tesfa House.
The word Tesfa (ተስፋ) means “Hope.” Dr. Tekie envisions Tesfa House as more than a provider directory—it is a trusted mental health community dedicated to making quality care easier to find, more accessible, and more inclusive. Through a growing network of mental health professionals, educational resources, professional development opportunities, and community partnerships, Tesfa House strives to connect individuals with the right support while empowering providers to expand their impact.
His vision is simple: to create a place where people can confidently find compassionate, qualified mental health professionals and where every individual feels seen, supported, and empowered to take the next step toward healing, growth, and wellbeing.
Professional Highlights
- Licensed Psychologist
- Psychologist, University of Pennsylvania
- Founder, Tesfa House
- Owner, Tesfa-House Psychotherapy & Consulting LLC
- University Educator and Clinical Supervisor
- Trainer, Consultant, and Mental Health Speaker
- Special Interests: Access to Mental Health Care, College Mental Health, Trauma, Relationships, Multicultural Mental Health, Community Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention