I draw my inspiration, therapeutic skills and consultation style from my upbringing, work experiences and the places I have resided. I identify as an Asian Indian woman. I was born in London, England and currently reside in San Francisco, United States. I am a therapist, educator, coach, consultant, writer, mother, embrace diversity and curious about life.
Education and Work
I enjoy providing counseling, therapy, mental health coaching and clinical supervision in my private practice in California. Other services include national and international consultation and training services.
I am assistant professor at California State University, East Bay in the MS Counseling Program. I have also taught graduate courses and trained counselors and therapists in the MA Counseling Psychology Program at The Wright Institute, and in the MS Counseling Program at San Francisco State University.
My academic background is rich and diverse including business, education, sociology and counseling. I have attained a Masters in Counseling and am a licensed Marriage Family Therapist in California, United States. I have a doctorate in Educational Leadership (EdD). I also hold a teaching credential in the United Kingdom and California, United States. I am also a trained school counselor in California (PPSc). In addition I have a Certificate in Leadership with the American Association for Marriage and Therapy (AAMFT).
I have extensive experience in providing clinical work, teaching, clinical supervision, trainings, writings and more. For further information about my work, please visit my LinkedIn profile.
My Passion: Advocating and Giving Back to the Community
In my free time, I help to create change by holding various positions on non-profit boards, volunteering my services in the community, presenting at counseling conferences, and writing articles on the subject of mental health.
Examples of Current Board and Committee Positions Held:
- Advisory Board Member, 3rdi, San Francisco South Asian International Film Festival.
- Board member, AsAmNews.
- California Judges Association, on the Mental Health Committee.
Examples of Past Board and Committee Positions Held:
- Board Member and Past Co-Chair, the Mental Health Board of San Francisco, advising the Behavioral Health Director and Board of Supervisors about mental health funding, policy and services.
- Training Advisory Committee Member, The American Psychological Association (APA) Minority Fellowship Program
- Board of directors, the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA).
Awards and Recognitions
In 2018, I won the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Certificate in Leadership Scholarship. This competitive scholarship is offered to AAMFT members with high potential to develop as leaders in the profession. I have completed the leadership certificate and have used my experience and knowledge to create support for emerging leaders and presenting on this topic. In addition, I have been invited across the country to discuss ways to support leaders, and I am working with my colleagues to write an inclusive leadership model, more to follow!
During graduate school, I was awarded the Virginia Lee Block Scholarship and the “Graduate Student Award for Distinguished Achievement, 2006” for outstanding scholarship, professional activity, and service to the community. In 2009, I was awarded a financial award by the State of California for my work in serving underrepresented communities in San Francisco.
Professional Organizations
Being connected and involved with numerous professional counseling and psychological associations allows me to network with other professionals in the field, stay informed on the current trends in mental health and learn ways I can better serve my clients and the community. I have presented at the majority of the professional organizations that I belong to. My professional affiliations include:
- American Association for Marriage Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA)
- Division on South Asian Americans (DoSAA) and Division on Practice, part of AAPA
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- American School Counseling Association (ASCA)