Licensed to practice in California and accepts 26 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Racism, Trauma and PTSD and 8 more.
Pooja S. Parashar
(she/her)
About me
Hi! I’m Pooja Parashar, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California with a Master’s from USC. I’m passionate about making therapy accessible & breaking the stigma of seeking help, especially with clients of color. My approach centers on building an empathic connection & meeting you where you are. I offer virtual & in-person services, specializing in trauma, communication issues, & anxiety, viewing clients holistically within their broader life context. I strive to create a healing environment by tailoring therapy to your needs. I am deeply committed to offering a supportive space where you can truly feel safe and heard.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, I start by checking in with you to meet you where you are in the moment and approach you with empathy to make you feel comfortable and safe in our therapeutic space. We'll dive into what's bringing you into therapy, and explore what you want to gain from therapy. This will help create a plan for us to work together in our sessions moving forward. Being able to share your story allows me to get to know who you are, how you see yourself currently, and how you want to see yourself in the future 😊
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I show up unapologetically as myself with my clients, just as I do with friends and family. I want my clients to feel comfortable in showing up genuinely as themselves. My identity as a South Asian woman helps clients feel heard, seen, and accepted for who they are, so they can share their stories and learn useful coping skills as they work toward their goals. With my warm, open-minded approach, clients often experience increased self-awareness, resilience, & a deeper connection to their true potential. With compassion & care, I create a space where you can go from surviving to thriving!
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I love working with adults, couples, and teens who have a genuine interest in wanting to create change in their lives. My approach is grounded in empathy and I want to help you heal from within by understanding yourself better. I care about helping my clients help themselves by setting realistic goals that allow them to thrive. I love to plant therapeutic seeds with my clients & hope that my clients blossom. Healing starts from within, which allows clients to build a strong foundation of self-care in their sessions.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Racism
Trauma and PTSD
Other specialties
Coping Skills
Depression
Family Conflict
Parenting
Perinatal Mental Health
Self Esteem
Sexual Abuse
Women's Issues
Identifies as
Asian / Asian American
Hindu
Person of Color (POC)
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
AvMed
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Sutter Health Plan
IHSS Healthy Workers
Cash - $200 per session
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients recognize and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to their trauma, anxiety, and/or other mental health struggles. By incorporating culturally sensitive and personalized approaches, I guide clients in developing healthier coping mechanisms and building a stronger sense of self.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I incorporate culturally sensitive therapy by honoring each client's unique cultural background, values, and experiences, creating a safe and inclusive space for exploration and growth. Through active listening and culturally attuned interventions, I help teens, adults, and couples navigate challenges while fostering understanding and connection within their personal and relational contexts.
Trauma Informed Care
I incorporate trauma-informed care by prioritizing safety, trust, and empowerment in my work with teens, adults, and couples, recognizing the impact of trauma on their thoughts, emotions, and relationships. Using a compassionate and collaborative approach, I tailor interventions to promote healing and resilience while avoiding re-traumatization.
Gottman method
I incorporate the Gottman Method in couples work by helping partners strengthen their connection through improved communication, conflict resolution, and fostering deeper emotional intimacy. In individual sessions, I adapt these principles to help clients explore their relational patterns, develop healthier ways to manage conflict, and enhance their overall relationship skills.
Compassion Focused
I incorporate compassion into my work by helping teens, adults, and couples cultivate self-compassion and kindness as a foundation for healing and personal growth. Through this approach, I guide clients in reducing self-criticism, building emotional resilience, and fostering deeper empathy within themselves and their relationships.
1 rating with written reviews
June 10, 2025
Pooja is a compassionate and attentive listener who creates a warm, nonjudgmental space that makes it easy to open up. From the very first session, I felt heard, supported, and genuinely understood. Although I’m still early in my journey with her, I already feel more hopeful and grounded. She’s helped me start connecting the dots between my thoughts, emotions, and patterns, and I look forward to continuing the work together!