I grew up in India and hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology, English Literature, and Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. After gaining several years of work experience in the corporate world, I moved to the United States to pursue further education in Psychology. I gained another Masters degree in Professional Counseling and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University.
Since 2008, I have worked with adults who have experienced trauma, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. I have worked in community mental health/not-for-profit hospital settings as well as university counseling centers. I collaborated to establish a Stress/Biofeedback Clinic at one counseling center and ran stress and biofeedback sessions at the Stress Clinic of another counseling center. I have been a part of the Alcohol and Drug Evaluation and Eating Disorder treatment teams catering to college age students.
In therapy, I’m grounded in the multicultural feminist framework, attending to clients’ cultural identities as well as how gender norms and socialization impact them. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to intervene. Mindfulness is woven into both my personal life and professional practice. I’m also influenced by attachment theories and emotion-focused work. I enjoy helping couples reconnect and find their way back to each other emotionally. I have facilitated several groups over the years, particularly interpersonal process groups. I collaborated to co-create and co-run ACT for change groups.
In research, my focus has been primarily on psychological markers of trauma and psychotherapy outcomes for trauma survivors in underprivileged populations, the role of resilience and mindfulness in moderating trauma and depression, and experiences of international students and workers in the United States.
In my practice, I am intentional about creating a supportive safe space for clients to explore their whole selves, learn about their strengths and find ways to bolster their resilience in the face of life’s challenges. I am active, engaged, and collaborative. My clients describe me as warm, supportive and straightforward while also willing to challenge them to grow. I am multilingual and offer therapy in four languages - English, Hindi, Kannada, and Telugu.
Education
PhD in Counseling Psychology, Georgia State University 2015
MS in Professional Counseling, Georgia State University 2008
MA in Counseling Psychology, Osmania University 2000
BA in Psychology, Literature, and Political Science, St Francis College for Women 1997
Pre-doctoral Internship, Georgia Institute of Technology
Post-doctoral Fellowship, Emory University
Psychology License: PY.60940981 Washington
Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association (APA)
Washington State Psychological Association (WSPA)
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)