Therapy for immigrants, 1st and 2nd Gen Americans in California

THE HEART OF MY PRACTICE IS RELATIONSHIP

Relationships are essential to our mental health and well-being.

We develop our sense of self, heal, and change in relationship with someone who is available, empathic and attuned to us.

A positive and trusting relationship between therapist and client is crucial for successful therapy. Empirical research, i.e., actual observable evidence, shows that the therapeutic bond between the therapist and her client leads to better outcomes, more than specific techniques.1 Having consistent sessions with me helps you and me create a trusting and deep relationship, so you can feel safe sharing your inner experience and emotions, heal, and grow.

I work to establish a foundation of trust and collaboration in our therapeutic relationship. Within the context of a compassionate, kind, and trusting relationship, we will you explore how your past and current relationships shaped your identity, self-esteem, assumptions you hold about yourself, beliefs you hold about others, and patterns of relating. The experience of our relationship provides a path to understanding wounding that occurred in previous relationships and provides a source for a new healing experience of relationship.

Work with me

1 Opland C, Torrico TJ., Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Relationship, 2024 Oct

My Origin Story

People sometimes ask me what led me to become a therapist.

The story of how I became a therapist is rooted in my personal journey to understand my lived experiences — immigration, family dynamics, romantic partnerships, gender and ethnic identity, discrimination and microaggressions, loss and grief — and my desire to help others do the same.

I have always been curious about people's histories, behavior, motivations, and relationships. My interest developed as a child when my family immigrated to America. I had to learn to adapt and understand people of a new culture. I became an avid reader of character-driven novels about families and relationships, how people relate to others, legacies of and overcoming trauma, and how people come to know themselves.

As an adult, I had a growing awareness of unacknowledged loss and unprocessed grief. And I had a longing to fully embody both my Indian and American identities. Therapy helped me become whole.

Being a therapist is a natural and perfect fit for me and I love helping people in their own journeys towards self-discovery, healing and growth.

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About South Asian Therapy

Professional Bio

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Prior to establishing my private practice, my clinical experience was in community mental health working with socioeconomically diverse families, children, teens and couples with complex trauma, medical illness, abuse and neglect, and issues related to immigration and acculturation.

Therapist, Psychotherapy Private Practice, Alameda
Associate Therapist, Ashby Psychotherapy Associates, Berkeley
Staff Therapist, The Psychotherapy Institute, Berkeley
Associate Therapist, Oak Creek Counseling Center, Berkeley
Therapist Intern, Davis Street Family Resource Center, San Leandro
Therapist Trainee, Discovery Counseling Center, Danville

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Prior to establishing my therapy practice, I worked with non-profits and global professional services firms in corporate marketing and managing people, operations, and IT projects. I trained, mentored, and coached people nurturing personal and professional growth to maximize their performance, job satisfaction, and contribution to the organization's success.

CREDENTIALS + TRAINING

Licensed psychotherapist, 119728, California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Post-Graduate Advanced Clinical Training, The Psychotherapy Institute, CA
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, India Externship, Training and Research Institute for Emotionally Focused Therapy, CA
MA, Counseling Psychology, JFK University, CA
MBA, Univ. of California, Davis, CA
BA, Psychology, Univ. of California, Riverside, CA

LANGUAGES

English
Hindi/Urdu

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Questions about Therapy?

For answers to questions about therapy, such as fees, insurance, and length and frequency of therapy sessions, as well as other frequently asked questions about therapy, such as the therapeutic process and my approach, please visit the FAQs page.