CPST (Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment), QMHS (Qualified Mental Health Specialist), QBHS (Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist), and TBS (Therapeutic Behavioral Services)
Nurah Abdulwahab, MSSA, MS in Human Services
(She/Her)
Your Core Approach & Areas of Focus
Notably, Nurah has demonstrated extraordinary humanitarian leadership by personally supporting over 150 refugees from diverse global backgrounds. Her work included helping them navigate the complexities of settling into life in a first-world country—offering guidance in housing, healthcare access, language support, and cultural orientation.
Nurah’s background uniquely blends academic rigor, clinical insight, and grassroots compassion. She is especially effective in addressing the nuanced needs of the aging population, bringing attention to issues like self-neglect, depression, grief, and elder abuse with both professional acumen and human empathy.
What Guides Your Work?
My background uniquely integrates academic rigor, clinical expertise, and grassroots compassion towards all people. I excels at addressing the complex needs of the aging population, shedding light on critical issues such as self-neglect, depression, grief, and elder abuse with both professional insight and heartfelt empathy.
What Makes Your Support Effective?
My support is effective because I approach each client with empathy, respect, and a commitment to building trust. I prioritize active listening to understand the unique challenges and strengths of each individual or family I work with. By creating a safe, non-judgmental space, I empower clients to share openly and take an active role in setting their goals. Being culturally sensitive and trauma-informed allows me to respond appropriately to diverse needs and experiences.
Your Journey to Providing Mental Wellness Services
My interest in mental health and wellness began when I was a young girl growing up in a family that deeply valued caring for others. We were taught to look after our elders helping them clean their homes, prepare meals, and make sure they had what they needed each day. That early experience of showing kindness and support sparked something in me. It taught me the importance of being present for others and planted the seed for my passion to help people feel seen, supported, and valued especially in times of need.
What You Find Most Rewarding
My interest in mental health and wellness began when I was a young girl growing up in a family that deeply valued caring for others. We were taught to look after our elders helping them clean their homes, prepare meals, and make sure they had what they needed each day. That early experience of showing kindness and support sparked something in me. It taught me the importance of being present for others and planted the seed for my passion to help people feel seen, supported, and valued especially in times of need.
Qualifications & Credentials
Nurah also holds two master’s degrees: one in Human Services with a concentration in Social and Community Services from Capella University, and another in Social Work Administration from Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, one of the leading social work institutions in the country. These advanced degrees are supported by a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Capital University and an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Cuyahoga Community College, both located in Cleveland, Ohio. This layered education reflects a progression of knowledge that bridges direct service, program development, and administrative practice.
Beyond Your Credentials
I have a gift for helping clients recognize their own resilience. Simply by listening, truly listening, to their life stories, I create space for them to see the strength they’ve already demonstrated. Through compassion, presence, and reflection, I help them reconnect with their own capacity to overcome. Laughter, consistency, and follow-through are key parts of my practice. I believe that moments of genuine connection, even through humor, help build trust and reduce barriers between myself and the people I support. I maintain open communication, check in regularly on progress, and adjust plans as needed. But most importantly, I aim to foster hope. When clients feel heard, supported, and empowered, that’s when meaningful and lasting change begins.
One simple joy that connects me with people is my love for traveling. I’ve had the privilege of meeting individuals from all walks of life — young and old, rich and poor, from many different cultures. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for people’s unique journeys and reminded me that everyone has a story worth hearing. This perspective helps me approach each client with curiosity, respect, and a genuine desire to understand their world.
Your Unique Strength
One of my greatest strengths is my genuine love for connecting with people from all backgrounds. No matter where someone is from or what language they speak, I believe we all share something in common our humanity and the fact that we were all created with value and purpose. This belief helps me approach each client with openness, humility, and deep respect. It allows me to build trust and create meaningful connections that support healing, growth, and mutual understanding.
Off-Duty Well-Being
Practicing my faith is a core part of my life. Reading spiritual books and seeking guidance through prayer helps me stay grounded, reflect on my actions, and strive to treat others with compassion and humility. It’s a source of strength that renews me both personally and professionally.