Honoring Every Story: Why Connection Matters Most in Therapy
For much of my life, I followed a path that seemed familiar. As a first-generation South Asian American growing up on the East Coast, I understood the expectations that often come with that experience. There is a strong emphasis on hard work, achievement, and building a stable future. For a long time, I believed that success meant continuing along the corporate path that had been laid out in front of me.
Yet, somewhere along the way, I realized that I wanted something different. I wanted to do work that allowed me to connect with people in a deeper and more meaningful way. I wanted to understand the stories people carry, the relationships that shape them, and the challenges they face every day. That desire ultimately led me to make a significant career change and pursue a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
In 2020, I moved to Seattle and quickly fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. The mountains, the water, and the sense of possibility here offered me a fresh perspective during an important season of change in my life. Not long after arriving, I began my journey toward becoming a therapist, guided by a belief that every person deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported.
Coming to therapy can feel intimidating. Many people are unsure where to begin, and some topics are painful to discuss. My goal is to create a space where clients feel warmth from the moment they walk through the door. I want therapy to feel like a place where people can slowly unfold their stories, at their own pace, knowing that they will be met with compassion and curiosity.
As a marriage and family therapist, I work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigating life's many transitions. I am particularly passionate about supporting people of color, the South Asian LGBTQ+ community, and members of the South Asian community. There remains a significant need for culturally responsive mental health care, and there are still too few South Asian therapists in the field. Because I grew up balancing the expectations and values of both Eastern and Western cultures, I understand many of the unique tensions my clients experience.
“Coming to therapy can feel intimidating. Many people are unsure where to begin, and some topics are painful to discuss. My goal is to create a space where clients feel warmth from the moment they walk through the door.”
My own relationship with anxiety has also shaped the therapist I have become. Having lived with anxiety from a young age, I deeply empathize with clients who carry those feelings every day. I know how isolating anxiety, self-doubt, and relational struggles can be, and I believe healing begins when people feel safe enough to share those experiences with someone who truly understands.
One of the things I value most about therapy is that there is no universal formula for healing. Every person exists within a larger system of relationships, communities, and experiences that influence who they are. Together, we work to identify the tools and approaches that best fit each individual's needs because meaningful growth is never one-size-fits-all.
Outside of the therapy room, I find joy in the simple things. I love watching football games (since I'm from the east coast. It's an east coast team). My husband and I love being with our two dogs, and our cat keeps life entertaining at home. I enjoy cooking, hosting dinner parties, discovering new restaurants, and spending time outdoors, going to breweries and wineries or simply being near the water. Daily meditation and prayer help me stay grounded and connected to what matters most.
I also started my own podcast, Let's Chai and Chat is a passion project, to talk about the things that I was not allowed to say out loud growing up. Let’s Chai and Chat is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, and you can follow on Instagram @Let’sChaiandChat.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to helping people feel seen. Whether I am working with clients, families, clinicians, or organizations, I hope to create spaces that honor each person's story and the many worlds they carry within them.