South Asian Therapists in Downtown, Washington, DC
My clients are adults and couples who have arrived at a threshold — a moment where something has to shift, even when the path forward isn't clear. They may be navigating a major life transition, sitting with depression or anxiety, recovering from trauma, integrating psychedelic experiences, managing ADHD, or working through the weight of divorce. Others are exploring non-traditional relationship structures or identities and want a space that is affirming, inviting, and nonjudgemental. What they share is a readiness — not necessarily to figure it all out, but to meet the moments of uncertainty and find their center again.
My clients are adults and couples who have arrived at a threshold — a moment where something has to shift, even when the path forward isn't clear. They may be navigating a major life transition, sitting with depression or anxiety, recovering from trauma, integrating psychedelic experiences, managing ADHD, or working through the weight of divorce. Others are exploring non-traditional relationship structures or identities and want a space that is affirming, inviting, and nonjudgemental. What they share is a readiness — not necessarily to figure it all out, but to meet the moments of uncertainty and find their center again.
Moksha Living
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LGPC, LGSW
1 Endorsed
Downtown, Washington, DC 20036
Whether you’re stuck in a job that drains your energy or in relationships that feel lonely on an existential level, deep down you want to live with more authenticity, direction, and purpose. You are ready to break free from patterns of unworthiness, anxiety, and (often subconscious) self-sabotage.
If you want to wake up feeling more energized by your daily life, fulfilled by the work you do and surrounded by supportive communities, our specialized and holistic approach to psychotherapy, will equip you with a toolbox to turn emotional obstacles into powerful opportunities for growth and deeper connection.
Whether you’re stuck in a job that drains your energy or in relationships that feel lonely on an existential level, deep down you want to live with more authenticity, direction, and purpose. You are ready to break free from patterns of unworthiness, anxiety, and (often subconscious) self-sabotage.
If you want to wake up feeling more energized by your daily life, fulfilled by the work you do and surrounded by supportive communities, our specialized and holistic approach to psychotherapy, will equip you with a toolbox to turn emotional obstacles into powerful opportunities for growth and deeper connection.
As a South Asian American clinical psychologist, I know it is important to acknowledge and balance a person's life history and identity.
Welcome! As a clinical psychologist, I help people make meaningful changes to their lives through psychological testing and therapy. I use a direct style, coupled with warmth and humor to deliver services from an evidence-based background in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I particularly specialize in trauma (i.e., cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure) and mood disorders I also treat ADHD (i.e., executive function coaching), anxiety disorders, and grief for adolescents, young adults, and adults.
As a South Asian American clinical psychologist, I know it is important to acknowledge and balance a person's life history and identity.
Welcome! As a clinical psychologist, I help people make meaningful changes to their lives through psychological testing and therapy. I use a direct style, coupled with warmth and humor to deliver services from an evidence-based background in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I particularly specialize in trauma (i.e., cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure) and mood disorders I also treat ADHD (i.e., executive function coaching), anxiety disorders, and grief for adolescents, young adults, and adults.
Michell Kothari Stanley
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, CLC, RYT
3 Endorsed
Downtown, Washington, DC 20036
Life can change in ways you didn’t plan for. Whether it's health concerns, a relationship ending, or navigating a workplace that makes you feel drained, overworked, and far from the life you imagined. I work with women to navigate these turning points and external pressures, by creating space for what truly matters. In our work: you will feel more aligned, peaceful, and empowered within yourself, relationships, and work. I work with clients to trust themselves and love themselves (and others) better so that they can nurture thriving families, build strong communities and fulfill their legacy .
Life can change in ways you didn’t plan for. Whether it's health concerns, a relationship ending, or navigating a workplace that makes you feel drained, overworked, and far from the life you imagined. I work with women to navigate these turning points and external pressures, by creating space for what truly matters. In our work: you will feel more aligned, peaceful, and empowered within yourself, relationships, and work. I work with clients to trust themselves and love themselves (and others) better so that they can nurture thriving families, build strong communities and fulfill their legacy .
I will work hard to make sure you wholeheartedly believe that your mental health diagnosis does not have to define who you are. While I can’t promise that therapy will always be fun and something you look forward to week after week, I do believe therapy has the potential to be transformative for you if you allow it to be. My number one goal is to provide you with a safe space for you to be authentically and unapologetically you, without any filters or judgment. I will always be there to trust you, support you, and gently nudge you (when you need it, and trust me, we all need a little nudge once in a while).
I will work hard to make sure you wholeheartedly believe that your mental health diagnosis does not have to define who you are. While I can’t promise that therapy will always be fun and something you look forward to week after week, I do believe therapy has the potential to be transformative for you if you allow it to be. My number one goal is to provide you with a safe space for you to be authentically and unapologetically you, without any filters or judgment. I will always be there to trust you, support you, and gently nudge you (when you need it, and trust me, we all need a little nudge once in a while).
I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients to help meet their therapeutic goals. As a person of color with significant experience working with diverse populations, I am sensitive to individual differences and needs. I am also passionate about providing holistic care and seek to instill a sense of overall well-being with my clients.
I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients to help meet their therapeutic goals. As a person of color with significant experience working with diverse populations, I am sensitive to individual differences and needs. I am also passionate about providing holistic care and seek to instill a sense of overall well-being with my clients.
In virtual counseling, you will process your experiences, identify triggers, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, shift behaviors that no longer serve you, and strengthen effective communication skills. Our work may focus on concerns related to trauma, identity development, school and career stress, grief and loss, mood changes, impulsivity, life transitions, caretaking responsibilities, and stage-of-life challenges that impact mental health. I intentionally affirm and support clients who identify as BIPOC, AAPI, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent.
In virtual counseling, you will process your experiences, identify triggers, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, shift behaviors that no longer serve you, and strengthen effective communication skills. Our work may focus on concerns related to trauma, identity development, school and career stress, grief and loss, mood changes, impulsivity, life transitions, caretaking responsibilities, and stage-of-life challenges that impact mental health. I intentionally affirm and support clients who identify as BIPOC, AAPI, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent.
Do you long to move past circular fights with your partner about the dishes and who does more? Are you exhausted from pushing down your own feelings and needs due to feelings of guilt? Do you desire to move past the surface level conflict and get to the heart of your repeat arguments and feel deeply emotionally connected and best friends with your partner again? Welcome, you're in the right place. I offer traditional, weekly therapy for women as well as customized Intensive (Extended) Therapy options for Premarital Counseling and Couples Counseling for busy couples who want to skip the start/stop of weekly therapy and see change.
Do you long to move past circular fights with your partner about the dishes and who does more? Are you exhausted from pushing down your own feelings and needs due to feelings of guilt? Do you desire to move past the surface level conflict and get to the heart of your repeat arguments and feel deeply emotionally connected and best friends with your partner again? Welcome, you're in the right place. I offer traditional, weekly therapy for women as well as customized Intensive (Extended) Therapy options for Premarital Counseling and Couples Counseling for busy couples who want to skip the start/stop of weekly therapy and see change.
Congratulations on getting curious & taking a step towards wellness & fulfillment! Starting this process can be scary, whether this is your first time in therapy or your return. You may be searching for support in individual struggles, parenting, or relational conflict. I work with children, teens, families, & adults to address obstacles like anxiety, depression, life changes, racial trauma, behavioral concerns, family dynamics, and work/school related stress. Change does not happen in isolation; I hope to work with you (& your community) to learn/unlearn, heal, grow, & create the story that reflects your most authentic truths.
Congratulations on getting curious & taking a step towards wellness & fulfillment! Starting this process can be scary, whether this is your first time in therapy or your return. You may be searching for support in individual struggles, parenting, or relational conflict. I work with children, teens, families, & adults to address obstacles like anxiety, depression, life changes, racial trauma, behavioral concerns, family dynamics, and work/school related stress. Change does not happen in isolation; I hope to work with you (& your community) to learn/unlearn, heal, grow, & create the story that reflects your most authentic truths.
As a South Asian American growing up with immigrant parents, I understand the nuances of belonging, identity, overcoming stigma, and negotiating family and cultural expectations.
If you are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, therapy can be a safe, non-judgmental, space to process your emotions and gain clarity on what might be contributing to your distress. I would seek to understand your unique situation and perspective, and we would uncover thinking and behavior patterns getting in your way. Whether it's having the tools and skills to cope with daily stressors, managing anxiety, improving relationships, increasing your self-confidence, to living a more purpose-driven life, together, we would develop customized strategies to help meet your desired outcome.
As a South Asian American growing up with immigrant parents, I understand the nuances of belonging, identity, overcoming stigma, and negotiating family and cultural expectations.
If you are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, therapy can be a safe, non-judgmental, space to process your emotions and gain clarity on what might be contributing to your distress. I would seek to understand your unique situation and perspective, and we would uncover thinking and behavior patterns getting in your way. Whether it's having the tools and skills to cope with daily stressors, managing anxiety, improving relationships, increasing your self-confidence, to living a more purpose-driven life, together, we would develop customized strategies to help meet your desired outcome.
I am a first-generation Guyanese American and have my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I earned my undergraduate degree from Salisbury University (MD), where I double majored in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. I began my teaching career during the COVID-19 pandemic, where I became increasingly aware of the significant mental health needs of students during and following this period.
I am a first-generation Guyanese American and have my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I earned my undergraduate degree from Salisbury University (MD), where I double majored in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. I began my teaching career during the COVID-19 pandemic, where I became increasingly aware of the significant mental health needs of students during and following this period.
Many people who come for help are carrying the weight of traumatic experiences, complicated family or custody situations, or the overlapping challenges of mental health and substance use. You might be a parent worried about a child’s behavior after abuse, a young person struggling to feel safe and understood, a partner or co-parent trying to find a healthier way forward during a court-involved divorce, or someone juggling recovery while managing relationships, work, and daily life. Your goals may be to restore safety, regain trust, set clear boundaries, reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms, or simply find a steady path forward.
Many people who come for help are carrying the weight of traumatic experiences, complicated family or custody situations, or the overlapping challenges of mental health and substance use. You might be a parent worried about a child’s behavior after abuse, a young person struggling to feel safe and understood, a partner or co-parent trying to find a healthier way forward during a court-involved divorce, or someone juggling recovery while managing relationships, work, and daily life. Your goals may be to restore safety, regain trust, set clear boundaries, reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms, or simply find a steady path forward.
My adult and teen clients gain the ability to understand and use strategies to limit self-incrimination, break down overwhelming tasks into small, actionable steps; tolerate emotional discomfort without acting on compulsions or seeking reassurance; challenge negative beliefs that cause distress; interrupt rumination and replace it with productive thinking. These long-term and short term strategies have been helpful to diverse individuals, living with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, trauma related disorders, mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism, spectrum disorder, and OCD tendencies.
My adult and teen clients gain the ability to understand and use strategies to limit self-incrimination, break down overwhelming tasks into small, actionable steps; tolerate emotional discomfort without acting on compulsions or seeking reassurance; challenge negative beliefs that cause distress; interrupt rumination and replace it with productive thinking. These long-term and short term strategies have been helpful to diverse individuals, living with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, trauma related disorders, mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism, spectrum disorder, and OCD tendencies.
Currently only available for intercultural/interracial couples and adult family members/siblings. Stuck in the same patterns? Believe that no one can relate to your struggles? Feeling disconnected from loved ones? I work with adults on a variety of struggles, including anxiety, depression, work-related issues, racial trauma, acculturation issues, bicultural identity development, & communication issues. I specialize in working with people who straddle more than one culture & feel overwhelmed by differing expectations, or struggle to bridge cultural and generational conflict or experiential differences in all relationships.
Currently only available for intercultural/interracial couples and adult family members/siblings. Stuck in the same patterns? Believe that no one can relate to your struggles? Feeling disconnected from loved ones? I work with adults on a variety of struggles, including anxiety, depression, work-related issues, racial trauma, acculturation issues, bicultural identity development, & communication issues. I specialize in working with people who straddle more than one culture & feel overwhelmed by differing expectations, or struggle to bridge cultural and generational conflict or experiential differences in all relationships.
The most immediate benefit of one-on-one work is that it pulls you out of the automaticity of life. It is only when we choose to step out of our regular schedules, that we are able to reflect, assess, reorient, plan, and finally pivot. Whether you are experiencing a lack of motivation, crying spells, racing thoughts, and/or other symptoms of stress, depression, or anxiety - I will support you through this period. Although I am trained in a number of therapy modalities, my initial focus is to understand your experiences at the present moment.
The most immediate benefit of one-on-one work is that it pulls you out of the automaticity of life. It is only when we choose to step out of our regular schedules, that we are able to reflect, assess, reorient, plan, and finally pivot. Whether you are experiencing a lack of motivation, crying spells, racing thoughts, and/or other symptoms of stress, depression, or anxiety - I will support you through this period. Although I am trained in a number of therapy modalities, my initial focus is to understand your experiences at the present moment.
Online Therapists
I specialize in difficulties for second-generation immigrants, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, depression, pre and post-partum challenges, family conflict, identity challenges, grief/loss, insomnia, sleep issues, chronic pain, health changes, problems with focus or ADHD, substance abuse, military adjustment, and general adjustment difficulties.
I specialize in difficulties for second-generation immigrants, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, depression, pre and post-partum challenges, family conflict, identity challenges, grief/loss, insomnia, sleep issues, chronic pain, health changes, problems with focus or ADHD, substance abuse, military adjustment, and general adjustment difficulties.
Therapy is difficult. Each person has their own unique background, painful experience(s), mental health concerns, challenges, setbacks, and both internal and external barriers to living the life they most want to lead. People who tend to both enjoy and benefit most out of therapy with me are those who are motivated, open to exploring deeper parts of themselves to gain insight into how it contributes to their current functioning, are open to being challenged on their thinking and behavioral patterns, and are able to commit to reflecting and practicing strategies (if needed) between sessions.
Therapy is difficult. Each person has their own unique background, painful experience(s), mental health concerns, challenges, setbacks, and both internal and external barriers to living the life they most want to lead. People who tend to both enjoy and benefit most out of therapy with me are those who are motivated, open to exploring deeper parts of themselves to gain insight into how it contributes to their current functioning, are open to being challenged on their thinking and behavioral patterns, and are able to commit to reflecting and practicing strategies (if needed) between sessions.
Are you feeling stuck in the same trauma patterns, even though you’ve done everything “right”? Maybe you are constantly questioning yourself, wondering if you’re "enough," why relationships feel so hard, or why anxiety and sadness keep showing up no matter how much you achieve. Between family expectations, cultural pressure, and old traumatic wounds, it’s exhausting to keep pushing through. Maybe dating feels like déjà vu, or your relationships keep hitting the same walls. Therapy can be the space where you finally break the patterns, heal your attachment wounds, show up differently, in love and in life, and finally find peace.
Are you feeling stuck in the same trauma patterns, even though you’ve done everything “right”? Maybe you are constantly questioning yourself, wondering if you’re "enough," why relationships feel so hard, or why anxiety and sadness keep showing up no matter how much you achieve. Between family expectations, cultural pressure, and old traumatic wounds, it’s exhausting to keep pushing through. Maybe dating feels like déjà vu, or your relationships keep hitting the same walls. Therapy can be the space where you finally break the patterns, heal your attachment wounds, show up differently, in love and in life, and finally find peace.
If you are suffering from an eating disorder, weight related concerns, OCD, or navigating the physical and emotional toll of chronic pain, illness, or insomnia, you likely feel disconnected from your own life and body. These struggles often become even more complicated during reproductive milestones like infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. I specialize in helping clients reclaim their lives from these overlapping mental and physical burdens.
If you are suffering from an eating disorder, weight related concerns, OCD, or navigating the physical and emotional toll of chronic pain, illness, or insomnia, you likely feel disconnected from your own life and body. These struggles often become even more complicated during reproductive milestones like infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. I specialize in helping clients reclaim their lives from these overlapping mental and physical burdens.
I create an environment that helps clients explore both the internal and external barriers to their healing and growth. As a psychologist I pull from working with diverse groups of people and assist on issues of trauma, grief, loss, relationship difficulties, wellness and health. To me, therapy is best when it's a mix of approaches that are used strategically to create a nonjudgmental and empathic atmosphere. My style is both warm and thought-provoking, and I actively collaborate with and support those with whom I work.
I create an environment that helps clients explore both the internal and external barriers to their healing and growth. As a psychologist I pull from working with diverse groups of people and assist on issues of trauma, grief, loss, relationship difficulties, wellness and health. To me, therapy is best when it's a mix of approaches that are used strategically to create a nonjudgmental and empathic atmosphere. My style is both warm and thought-provoking, and I actively collaborate with and support those with whom I work.
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Nearby South Asian Therapists Searches for Downtown, Washington
See More South Asian TherapistsNearby Searches for Downtown, Washington
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South Asian Counseling
What can a South Asian therapist help with?
A South Asian therapist can help with the same concerns as any other therapist, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, stress, grief, and major life transitions. What may feel different, however, is the possibility of shared cultural understanding. If you identify with a South Asian background, such as Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, or Nepali, working with a therapist who shares or understands aspects of your culture may help you feel more comfortable discussing topics such as family expectations, identity, religion, language, stigma, or intergenerational conflict.
How can a South Asian therapist support couples counseling or family therapy?
A South Asian therapist can support couples counseling or family therapy by helping partners and family members explore how cultural background can shape roles, responsibilities, and expectations in a relationship. In some South Asian families, relationship dynamics may be influenced by expectations around marriage, gender roles, caregiving, religion, family involvement, or balancing individual needs with family obligations. These issues can affect mental health as well as relationship boundaries, parenting, communication, and major life decisions. A South Asian therapist can help you navigate these conversations with greater cultural understanding.
How might I inquire about a therapist’s experience with South Asian clients?
If cultural background is important to you in therapy, it can be helpful to ask a prospective therapist whether they have experience working with South Asian clients or clients from your specific cultural background. In initial conversations with potential therapists, you might ask whether they have worked with concerns related to cultural identity, family expectations, intergenerational conflict, or stigma around mental health. You can also ask whether they provide therapy in your preferred language.
Who is included in Psychology Today’s directory of South Asian therapists?
The directory of South Asian therapists includes professionals who have shared their ethnicity in their profiles. Psychology Today uses this information to assist clients in finding a therapist who can provide a cultural match. However, not all therapists choose to disclose their ethnicity in their profiles, and they may not appear in search results for this reason; also, when the number of therapists identified as South Asian is limited, the directory will also show therapists with comprehensive experience working with clients from relevant backgrounds.