Sandhiya Baladhandapani
**Waitlist for new clients** Hello! I am Sandhiya(pronounced Sun-thee-ya) Baladhandapani. I'm a Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC) practicing in Pennsylvania. I completed my Master’s at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2019.
My clinical background includes work with children, teens, young adults, and adults in community mental health and school settings in Chicago and Pittsburgh.
My clinical background includes work with children, teens, young adults, and adults in community mental health and school settings in Chicago and Pittsburgh. I currently offer individual psychotherapy for teens(15-18), young adults and adults, with anxiety, low mood, self esteem concerns, grief and loss, chronic restlessness, cultural stressors, academic stress, career burnout/stress, parenting stress, life transitions, or stress that can come with change.
First session
We will begin by getting to know your history, background, and what brings you to therapy now. I will also walk you through my practice policies and answer any questions for you. Most importantly, I will listen closely so we can clarify your goals and determine whether we are the right fit to work together.
Strengths
My primary approach is psychodynamic, which is gradual and reflective. In our work together, we may identify recurring patterns in different areas of your life, understand narratives that shape them, and create space for adaptive ways of relating to yourself and your environment. Depending on fit and therapeutic needs, therapeutic play elements may be integrated into psychodynamic work through reflective storytelling, metaphors, and symbols that are meaningful to each individual. These approaches can support expression and meaning-making in therapy, particularly when experiences are difficult to access or articulate through traditional talk therapy alone. Change is realistic and gradual over time, through consistent and steady effort.
Ideal clients
Many of my clients come to therapy because they feel held back in cycles of self-doubt or difficulty moving through stress, loss or life transitions that limit their sense of personal agency and possibility. They are often people who want to take up agency and responsibility in their therapy, and who value a process that emphasize patience and steadiness. I refer people who want highly guided or structured interventions, those who are in mental health crisis, any form of addiction/substance use or those with cognitive impairment, to appropiate provider and treatment that best meets their goals or needs.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
Together, we will explore patterns that connect your past and present, and how they shape the way you experience yourself and others today. Over time, our work helps uncover insights and open space for lasting growth with more intentional ways of living.
Play Therapy
Depending on fit and therapeutic needs, therapeutic play elements may be integrated into psychodynamic work through reflective storytelling, metaphors, and symbols that are meaningful to each individual. These approaches can support creative expression and meaning-making, particularly when experiences are difficult to access or articulate through traditional talk therapy alone.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- PennsylvaniaLicense PC016945