Mental health stigma in our South Asian community can create an isolating, shaming, and defeating environment for anyone who is already battling mental, emotional, relational, or spiritual struggles. As a child of Indian immigrants growing up in American culture, I too have faced the exhaustion of trying hard to be okay on the outside when I wasn’t okay on the inside. The truth is, we’re all struggling – and we don’t have to struggle alone.
I believe in a holistic approach to understanding each of my counseling clients, which I define in two ways: (1) You are composed of body, mind, and soul; and (2) You are one part of a larger, relational, family, and cultural system. This means we will enter into our work in a way that addresses, integrates, and supports all facets of who you are so you can successfully work towards your goals for therapy. While you and I may both identify as South Asian children of immigrants, I recognize that my South Indian American and Orthodox Christian background may differ from yours — I warmly welcome your unique background with respect, equality, and curiosity.
When working with me in therapy, you can expect compassion, acceptance, collaboration, and humor as we journey side-by-side through the discomfort and complexities of human life. Life can be challenging—and asking for help often feels twice as challenging. I aim to help make your therapeutic experience a lot less shameful and a lot more hopeful.