Welcome! I’m the Bad Indian Therapist
And I help Brown women like you let go of toxic scripts and stop abandoning yourself—without the cultural guilt-trip!
About Me, The “Bad Indian” Therapist:
I’m a South Asian American woman and a licensed therapist who helps Brown women in New York, New Jersey, and California stop letting cultural guilt and shame dictate their lives and start putting themselves first—without the guilt-trip!
As an EMDR Certified™ therapist, I use trauma-informed therapy to help you let go of toxic cultural scripts and rediscover your voice!
Why You Should Trust Me:
Why did I become The Bad Indian Therapist? Because I’ve been the “bad” daughter, too. Here’s a list of all the ways I’ve been “bad”:
I ran away from home
I snuck out the house
I called relatives out for their racism and sexism
I fought back against religion and religious trauma
I pursued a “useless degree”
I traveled solo
If you’ve ever been made to feel “bad” about these things, I’ve been there too.
“Log Kya Kahenge?” doesn’t have to define you!
What Makes Me Different
You found me likely because of one of the following:
You’re looking for a Brown therapist who understands you
You met with a nice white therapist who didn’t get it
You met with a Brown therapist who made you feel ashamed for not meeting cultural expectations
You don’t have to choose between two worlds to belong here. I’m not here to be another adult telling you what to think or how to feel.
Your identity belongs to you.
What I Offer
Whether you’re struggling with cultural guilt and shame, bicultural identity, relationship and family anxiety, an eating disorder, or trauma, I’m here to help you:
Narrate your story: Here, we get a good, no-holds-back, nonjudgemental understanding of your life and perspective.
Get to the root: Then, we uncover what your diagnosis is really about, rather than focusing on a label.
Identify the toxic scripts: We highlight and challenge harmful beliefs and values you internalized from family, friends, and your cultural community.
Embrace the nuances: Here, we unpack the rigid cultural scripts you’ve inherited and rediscover who you are.
Gently confront, not avoid: This is where we do things differently, and learn the tools to approach a new relationship with yourself and your cultural identity!
FAQ:
Frequently asked questions I get about me:
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I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. I’m from the United States and I’m American.
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My nationality is American. My ethnicity is Indian. To be even more specific, I grew up in a Malayalee Catholic family as the eldest daughter. So much of my life experience being both Indian and American informs who I am today!
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I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2015. I received my Master of Education in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College Columbia University in 2017.
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I’ve been practicing as a therapist in New York City since 2017 and received my full independent license to practice in 2020.
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Before starting private practice, I worked as a family therapist for the New York Foundling. I worked with kids, teens, and their immigrant parents work through conflict right in their homes—so I know a thing or two about family conflict! I also used to work with incarcerated patients at Rikers Island during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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I’m a licensed therapist in New York, New Jersey, and California. I provide virtual sessions to anyone residing in these three states. I also provide in-person sessions at my Manhattan office in New York.
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I specialize in cultural guilt and shame, bicultural mental health, family and relationship anxiety, body image and eating disorders, and intergenerational trauma. I also specialize in CBT and EMDR, two types of therapy, and I am also trained in ACT.
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New York City has a special place in my heart. I enjoy going to Broadway shows and exploring the city with my dog, a mini-dachshund named Bugaboo. Like most millennials, I also enjoy getting dinner with friends, spending time with family, and spending time with myself reading and watching Real Housewives. I also love to travel. Give me your next travel recommendation!
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I’ve been the “whitewashed” kid and didn’t think therapy was for me! If I did what I wanted to do, I was “whitewashed” or “too Western”. If I didn’t, I was “unmotivated”. Part of my journey meant unpacking the negative belief, “If I honor my needs, I am disgracing my culture.” I wouldn’t judge you for something I’ve been through myself!
Stop trying to be Palatable
Start accepting the nuances of who you are. Let’s get to know each other.