About Me
Training & Background
EDUCATION
I am a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC) in Maryland and a registered psychology associate (LPA) in Washington, DC practicing psychotherapy under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychological Science from the University of Maryland and a post-master’s certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.
BACKGROUND
I have over 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, teens, young adults, and families in clinical, research, school, and community-based settings. I integrate socio-cultural perspectives to my clinical work focusing on the use of anti-capitalist and anti-racist frameworks along with minority stress theory to treat mental health symptoms in individuals belonging to marginalized racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. I aim to practice from a culturally affirming stance such that clients’ identities and experiences are supported & validated and a sense of satisfaction & harmony can be attained through exploring the past and present while moving towards a desired future.
TRAINING
I am a psychotherapist trained to utilize psychodynamic psychotherapy through The New Washington School of Psychiatry and a certified clinical trauma professional trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) through the Institute for Creative Mindfulness. I am also trained in third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapy modalities and trauma-focused interventions including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (MB-CBT).
APPROACH
I specialize in working with high-functioning young adults and working professionals with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma. My work centers on utilizing psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral interventions while incorporating a relational-cultural collaboration. Through ongoing open-ended exploration and engagement with a keen listening presence, a strong therapeutic alliance can grow such that the sustained benefit of self-discovery through awareness, acceptance, and empowerment is cultivated.
Who Am I?
In my free time, I love to cook and I especially love to eat! Trying new cuisines is always fun and exciting for me and as a vegetarian, I love the challenge of incorporating new flavors into my meals. I greatly enjoy traveling and visiting new places and sights in order to learn about cultures around the world. I’ve lived in four different states and two different countries and look forward to taking in a lot more of what the world has to offer.
Being raised as a South Asian woman in both America and India, I’ve been exposed to holistic ways of living since I was young. This has contributed to my interest in learning about a variety of whole-health practices and techniques. Along with that, I am on a personal journey of finding ways to live more sustainably. When the pandemic first hit, I bought several grow kits to learn how to grow my own herbs, fruits, and vegetables and now consider myself a novice gardener. As a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance (RYT-200), I enjoy expanding upon my yoga practice and sharing the ancient traditions of yoga and ayurveda. Tying this all together, I believe change and growth are core facets of being and often refer to myself as a lifelong learner, hoping to expand and develop over time through lived experience.