Mahesh Balan
I am an Asian Indian who works with young people who grew up in the States and struggle with cultural conflicts with their parents. I also specialize in working with teenagers, young adults and families of all cultures who struggle with communication by providing a safe and supportive environment to uncover and address the root causes of their challenges. With over 30 years of experience as a Juvenile Probation Officer, High School Dean of Students, School Adjustment Counselor, and now as a Therapist, I bring a wealth of expertise to help you navigate these difficulties. Whether you're struggling with cultural issues growing up in the States or are struggling with depression, anxiety, anger management or are a parent seeking guidance to support your child, I’m here to help you develop effective coping strategies and regain control over your life and manage life’s challenges with confidence. By understanding why the root issues of our problems exist, we can address those problems to minimize their impact on your life.
With over 30 years of experience as a Juvenile Probation Officer, High School Dean of Students, School Adjustment Counselor, and now as a Therapist, I bring a wealth of expertise to help you navigate these difficulties.
First session
My goal is to help my clients feel that they are in a safe place to discuss whatever it is they are struggling with and to work as partners in identifying the appropriate coping strategies, interventions and solutions they problems they are facing.
Strengths
My greatest strengths are to objectively listen to my clients, help them to take ownership of their behavior and to empower them to communicate their needs or implement strategies to manage their problems.
Ideal clients
I work alongside my clients to identify and address the underlying issues causing stress, anger, depression, or any other challenges. Often this issues are based on family conflicts, social conflicts or self perception. A large part of my client group are those who struggle with cultural issues if they are immigrants.. Families with cultural clashes are supported to communicate safely and feel that they are heard and understood. Together, we’ll set goals to move you away from pain and toward a life that feels supported and within your control. Growing up today is challenging not only for teenagers but also for their families.
Origin story
As an immigrant I struggled with fitting into a culture foreign to me and I was conflicted with my Indian heritage trying to grow up as a young man in the United States. My professional journey has always focused on young people struggling with their self worth and a sense of belonging. This included a lot of work with the families of those young people and I developed an understanding of Family Systems and how important communication skills were in solving most conflicts. I focused on explaining how one’s perception of a situation becomes their “ truth” and understanding the perception of those we have conflicts with helps us understand their point of view. This leads to healthy conversations and solutions. I apply this strategy of perception to analyze the issues my clients struggle with and help them look at their issues a problem to be solved through challenging their perception of a problem, identifying the root issues and developing a strategy or skill to manage or remove those root issues causing them emotional pain.
Ongoing work together
Each session will be focused on getting insight on the issues that are causing conflict and emotional harm to my client. Each session will end with strategies on how to start addressing those issues we identified so the client can start regaining control over their lives.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
How we perceive a problem is crucial in how we address it. I have used this method with clients of all ages to help them identify the root of their problems and to help them manage those problems. Primarily used to help clients overwhelmed by their anxiety and depression to see that they “have” a problem to address not that “they are” the problem.
Family Therapy
Over the years in working with families my focus has been to help each family member learn how to communicate their feelings to each other and to be heard and understood.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- MassachusettsLicense LMHC10002547