Hi, I’m Merraf Abel—a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, speaker, and founder of Abel Minds, a therapy and mediation practice dedicated to helping individuals heal, lead, and thrive.

I’m licensed in the state of California (LMFT #80515) and Washington, DC (LMFT200001184). I provide counseling services for clients located in California and Washington, D.C.

At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to helping people navigate the complexities of self-doubt, anxiety, depression, identity, and leadership. I specialize in supporting high-achieving adults, second-generation immigrants, young professionals, and emerging leaders who are ready to move beyond burnout, imposter syndrome, and cultural pressure—and into a space of healing, clarity, and confidence.

I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. to Ethiopian-born parents, and my cultural roots deeply inform my therapeutic lens. I earned my Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, followed by a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Promotion and Education and a Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy (MFT) from Loma Linda University in California.

My clinical experience spans community mental health, crisis response, and clinical supervision. In addition to clinical work, I’m a passionate speaker and educator. I speak at corporate events, workshops, and webinars on the mental and emotional realities many professionals face—topics like burnout, imposter syndrome, workplace anxiety, cultural identity, self-doubt in leadership, and team unity. Whether on stage or in session, I aim to spark honest conversations and sustainable change.