Discover Healing
Professional Clinical Counselor, P.C.
Counseling at Discover Healing
Hi there and welcome! Do you feel overwhelmed by anxiety or despair? Are you navigating a life transition and struggling to cope? Do you feel low and unmotivated, or have a tendency to be self-critical and doubt yourself? Do you wonder if life should somehow feel better, and you -- happier? I'm here to help you. I treat depression, anxiety, and trauma, and help you navigate cultural challenges, relationship issues, and other stressors that arise in your personal and professional life. In our work together, you will experience a reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater insight, and increased skills for resolving specific problems, leading you to experience a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
My counseling style is rooted in patience, empathy, and compassion, empowering you to navigate life's challenges, discover your inner strengths, and find meaning in your life's experiences. Utilizing a warm and collaborative approach, I guide you through deep reflection, support you in confronting your challenges, and guide you in tapping into your own insights to facilitate change. I tailor my methods to suit your unique needs and circumstances and teach you the tools necessary for healing.
My commitment to you is unwavering— I create a safe, non-judgmental space where our relationship is paramount. I genuinely care about getting to know you and supporting you. Clients often describe me as warm and empathetic. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation, so I extend a warm invitation for you to reach out to me. Let's take the first step towards a brighter and more fulfilling future.
"Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it."
Tori Amos
About Me
Originally from India, I embarked on a life-changing journey when I immigrated to the United States. With two Master’s degrees - the first in Clinical Psychology and the second in Mental Health Counseling - I have dedicated my career to guiding individuals like yourself on your path to self-discovery and healing.
As an immigrant, I bring a profound sense of empathy and a culturally-attuned approach to counseling. My journey across different cultures has not only deepened my appreciation for diverse perspectives but also enhanced my ability to offer compassionate and inclusive care to individuals from various social and cultural backgrounds. This global perspective allows me to understand and respect the unique challenges and strengths that my clients bring, fostering a therapeutic environment that honors their individual experiences and identities.
Additionally, my personal experiences as a mother and navigating an interracial relationship have equipped me with a nuanced understanding of family dynamics and the complexities of relationships. These experiences provide me with valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of family interactions, identity formation, and the impact of cultural and racial intersections on personal and relational well-being. This understanding enables me to support my clients in exploring and addressing issues related to family roles, relationship dynamics, and cultural identity with sensitivity and depth, and to achieve their goals with compassion and respect for their diverse experiences.
When I'm not at work, you'll often find me exploring new recipes in the kitchen, showering affection on my beloved dogs, or reconnecting with the serenity of nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is therapy? Who is it for? And what does therapy with you look like?
There are many reasons why one might seek therapy:
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Maybe you are experiencing intense feelings of sadness or helplessness.
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Perhaps you are trying to cope with significant life transitions such as a career change, moving, or starting a family.
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Maybe you are dealing with the loss of someone special.
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Maybe you are are struggling with unresolved grief and loss.
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Perhaps you are battling low self-esteem, self-doubt, or are having difficulty feeling good about yourself.
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Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed by stress and day-to-day responsibilities.
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Maybe you are facing challenges in relationships with family members or significant others.
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Perhaps you are trying to navigate cultural differences as an immigrant or a child of immigrants.
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Maybe you are seeking to explore your identity.
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Or perhaps you are feeling lost and seeking to uncover your personal purpose and find fulfillment in your life.
Individual therapy or talk therapy, provides you with a safe space to enhance your emotional well-being through deep exploration and sharing of your thoughts, feelings and experiences. In this judgment-free environment, you will uncover and understand how your life experiences shape your current functioning. Here, you will learn to embrace vulnerability, empowering you to open up about your struggles and their impact on your life.
Psychotherapy involves establishing a safe and trusting relationship with your therapist, collaboratively working towards improving your mental health and overall well-being. It is a journey that may lead you through discomfort and pain, essential for true healing. Neale Donald Walsch reminds us that "life begins at the end of your comfort zone," highlighting the transformative potential of therapeutic exploration.
As your therapist, I am dedicated to helping you navigate a wide range of challenges you might enter into therapy with, including life transitions, cultural adjustments, relationship issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, and low moods. I am committed to assisting you in discovering meaning and purpose in your life experiences, guiding you towards a path of greater fulfillment and personal growth. Together, we will develop practical tools to effectively manage your stressors, cultivate self-compassion, and harness your strengths in the face of adversity. One of my goals is to empower you to move beyond self-judgment and criticism, fostering self-acceptance and self-love. Often, this can seem insurmountable, yet in my experience, it is merely an obstacle that hinders you from living a life of quality you truly deserve to be living. Together, we will identify your core values and explore how to live authentically, aligning your life with what truly matters to you. As Lori Gottlieb insightfully states, 'the only way to get to the other side of the tunnel is to go through it, not around it.' Together, we will embark on this transformative journey towards healing and living a more meaningful and fulfilling life.”
How do I know if therapy is the right course of action for me? Or if I am ready for it?
How long does therapy last?
The duration of treatment varies based on your needs and goals. During your initial sessions, we can discuss and estimate the length of treatment. Some folks require fewer sessions for shorter-term issues, while others with more complex situations or long-standing patterns may need more sessions to achieve understanding and make meaningful changes.
I am here to assist you in reaching your goals efficiently, while also ensuring realistic expectations for your therapy journey. Some factors that may expedite the process are consistent attendance, high motivation for change, and an openness and willingness to explore new approaches to navigating life.
Wondering if therapy is right for you, or if you are ready to begin? It is not uncommon for folks to put off asking for help for months, years, or until a tragic life event takes place before taking this step. Starting therapy requires courage and a willingness to embark on the journey of healing.
Reflect on this for a moment:
Are you experiencing emotional pain, feeling overwhelmed, or feeling like the quality of the life you are living is not up to par with your desires or expectations? And do you want to feel differently — better?
Are you willing to meet regularly?
Are you open to accessing your vulnerabilities?
Would you be willing to explore new ways of navigating life?
And are you willing to work on things we discuss outside of therapy sessions?
You are probably ready if you answered yes to most of these questions.
How often will we meet?
Central to effective therapy is our therapeutic relationship—it is crucial that you feel comfortable, safe, and understood. Equally important is my understanding of you, your circumstances, and your goals. For this reason, I recommend weekly sessions for the first few months to establish a solid foundation. Afterward, we can reassess the frequency based on the pace at which we are moving. If we agree that progress is evident and you feel comfortable with it, we can consider biweekly sessions. As you begin to feel noticeably better, sessions can eventually transition to once a month.
Improving your mental and emotional well-being takes commitment, and staying consistent is really important.
Fees and Insurance
In California:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross California
- Cigna
- Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (Commercial)
- United Healthcare
In Massachusetts:
- Aetna
If I am out of network with your insurance provider (that is, if I do not accept your insurance), my fee is $165. Not everyone is aware of this, but you may have out-of-network (OON) benefits associated with your insurance. What this means is, you could have sessions with me even though I am out of network with your insurance provider, and you may be eligible to receive partial or full reimbursement for what you pay out of pocket depending on your insurance provider, your plan, whether or not you have met your deductible, etc.
Additionally, I offer sliding scale fees on a limited basis