About Me

Hello and welcome! Embarking on a healing journey takes courage, but you’ve already done the hardest part by making the decision to start therapy. I want you to know that I’m honored to be a part of this process with you. I know firsthand how difficult it is to share the most vulnerable parts of yourself , both from my personal and professional experiences. But I also know that it’s totally worth it to learn how to be your most genuine self

Sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings can feel intimidating enough, so I want to make it as comfortable for my clients as possible.  That’s why I take a warm, casual approach to therapy. I see us as equals throughout this process, and I want you to know that I get it on a deeper level. My own life experiences have given me context to help me understand and empathize with my clients.  

I have an intimate understanding of how intergenerational trauma can affect your mental health, relationships, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. As a South Asian woman and typical oldest daughter, I know how the patterns of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and trouble with setting boundaries can get in the way of you truly being authentic yourself. I also know that it’s possible to shift these patterns and embrace all parts of yourself–even the messy ones.

About me

I earned my Master’s in Counseling and hold a credential as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. I also hold a national credential as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). 

Prior to my years of experience as a therapist, I worked as a teacher and school counselor over a total of 8 years. This experience in the education system has allowed me a unique perspective, which can be especially useful for teachers seeking therapy. I’ve also worked in the hospital system with patients struggling with psychosis, as well as suicide and homicide attempts, so I’m familiar with the challenges these individuals face as well.  

As a South Asian woman, I also have an intimate understanding of expectations and family dynamics at play in our culture. I’m also in an interfaith relationship, which gives me additional insight to bring into the therapy space. My hope is that other South Asian individuals who are seeking therapy can feel validated and understood knowing that our shared ethnicity provides unique context and opportunities for support.

Note that my practice is open to people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities. Whether you share my personal experiences or simply resonate with my counseling approach, I would love to work together.

My approach to therapy

I primarily use a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) lens during my work with clients. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 

The main idea behind CBT is that negative thoughts and beliefs can lead to difficult emotions and unhelpful behavior patterns. CBT can help you identify and challenge these negative thoughts and beliefs and replace them with more balanced and realistic ones. 

We’ll create a customized treatment plan that’s specific to your unique needs, values, and goals. With that being said, the key components of CBT include:

• Identifying negative thought patterns and beliefs. This involves becoming aware of automatic thoughts, irrational beliefs, & thought distortions.

• Challenging negative thoughts. This involves evaluating the evidence for & against negative thoughts & beliefs, & questioning their validity.

• Reframing thoughts. This involves replacing negative thoughts & beliefs with more balanced & realistic ones.

• Changing behaviors. This involves addressing problematic behaviors and teaching new, more effective coping skills & problem-solving strategies.

In addition to CBT, I also use an attachment-based lens. This approach helps us understand how your early experiences with attachment figures (i.e. parents) shape how you show up in relationships. 

Interpersonal therapy is another central component of my therapeutic approach. In this method, we’ll explore how to use effective communication skills, and learn how to resolve conflict in a healthy, constructive way.    

Who I help

I specialize in helping people who struggle with the trifold of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and boundary-setting. I find that my clients are often high achievers who, though they have great intentions, deal with significant stressors and pressures which affect their quality of life.

Not sure if this is you? Below are several common indications that you may struggle with these challenges.

Signs you have poor boundaries:

• Feeling guilty or ashamed when setting boundaries

• Being overly passive and accommodating, even in situations that warrant assertiveness.

• Taking on too much responsibility for others' feelings & actions.

• Difficulty saying no to unreasonable requests or demands.

• Constantly trying to please others, even at the expense of one's own well-being.

Signs you may struggle with people pleasing:

• Avoiding conflict & trying to keep the peace at all times.

• Putting one's own goals and aspirations on hold for the sake of others.

• Prioritizing others' needs & feelings over one's own.

• Feeling unfulfilled and resentful in personal relationships and other areas of life.

• Going out of one's way to please others, often to the point of exhaustion.

Signs you may have perfectionistic tendencies:

• Constantly setting high, often unrealistic, standards for oneself & others.

• Extreme self-criticism & a fear of making mistakes.

• Difficulty completing tasks due to excessive procrastination or overthinking.

• An all-or-nothing thinking pattern, where things are either perfect or a failure.

• Difficulty delegating tasks or asking for help.

I also have an emerging specialty area of adult women with undiagnosed ADHD. Some common challenges these individuals face include:

• Jumping from task to task

• Poor time management skills

• Hyperfocusing on certain tasks or activities

• Day-dreaming

• Trouble staying organized

• Poor memory

• Trouble completing projects

If any of the signs above resonate with you, I can help. Reach out today to start the conversation and get an even better feel of whether we might be the right fit for each other. I look forward to connecting with you!