I draw my inspiration, therapeutic skills and consultation style from my upbringing, work experiences and the places I have resided. I am British Indian born in London, England and currently reside in San Francisco, USA. I am a therapist, professor, consultant, writer and curious about life.
Education and Work
My academic background is rich and diverse including business, education, sociology and counseling. My undergraduate major was Business and Sociology in London, United Kingdom. In graduate school, I attained a teaching credential in the United Kingdom and California, USA. I am also a trained school counselor (PPSc), hold a Masters in Counseling and licensed Marriage Family Therapist in California, United States.
Currently I am Assistant Professor in the MA Counseling Psychology Program at The Wright Institute, Berkeley. I also teach classes in the MS Counseling Program at San Francisco State University. In addition I provide counseling, therapy, clinical supervision and consultation services at my private practice in San Francisco, and I am Founder at Understand My Mind (UMM).
I have extensive experience of providing community mental health and school based mental health services. 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.
I currently serve as:
- Co-Chair and Board Member, the Mental Health Board of San Francisco, advising the Behavioral Health Director and Board of Supervisors about mental health funding, policy and services.
- Board of Directors, the Asian American Psychological Assocation (AAPA), and Chair Elect for the Division on Practice.
- Board of Directors, San Francisco Mental Health Education Funds.
- Board Member, MySahana.
- Advisory Board Member, 3rdi, San Francisco South Asian International Film Festival.
- Past leadership roles include Communications Officer for the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA), past Chair (2011-2012) for the Division on South Asian Americans (DoSAA) part of the AAPA, and I am on the Senior Advisory Council for the DoSAA and past professional member on the International Committee of the American Counseling Association.
Awards and Recognitions
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. In 2010, I received an award from the Division on Women, part of the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) for my presentation on Post-Partum Depression Among Asian American Women: Cultural Considerations and Treatment.
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 Psychological Association (APA)
- Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA)
- Division on South Asian Americans (DoSAA) part of AAPA
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- American School Counseling Association (ASCA)
- American Association for Marriage Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Photographer, Ken Lee