Sita-Marie Pillay
I’m a clinical psychologist who works with people carrying too much on their shoulders and pretending they’re fine. My style is straightforward, culturally aware, and grounded in real-life resilience—the messy kind, not the Pinterest kind. I’ve spent years supporting trauma-impacted youth, adults, and families, and I believe healing happens when we stop performing and start telling the truth about what hurts. I bring a mix of clinical training, geek therapy, and practical compassion. I work with neurodivergent folks, high-stress professionals, caregivers, and anyone who feels like they’re constantly holding it together with duct tape and a good sense of humor. Therapy with me is collaborative, honest, and sometimes even a little creative—because you’re allowed to be a whole human here.
If you’re looking for a clinician who gets the chaos, respects your culture, and won’t judge you for coping the best way you know how, I’ve got you.
If you’re looking for a clinician who gets the chaos, respects your culture, and won’t judge you for coping the best way you know how, I’ve got you.
First session
In our first session, we’ll keep things simple and human. We’ll start with introductions, talk about what’s been weighing on you, and get clear on why you’re seeking support right now. I’ll ask questions to understand your story, your stressors, your strengths, and the patterns that keep showing up. From there, we’ll map out what therapy could look like for you—your goals, your pace, and the approaches that fit your personality and culture. No pressure to spill everything at once, no clinical interrogation. Just a real conversation so we can figure out what you need and how I can help you get there.
Strengths
My biggest strength as a therapist is showing up as a real human—no performative empathy, no sugar-coating. I’m direct, culturally aware, and I pay attention to the things people usually hide or downplay. I’m good at naming patterns, cutting through the noise, and helping clients see themselves clearly without shame. I blend multiple therapeutic approaches, but the core of my work is helping you build confidence, boundaries, and a version of yourself that feels honest—not borrowed, not masked, not “what everyone expects.” Clients often tell me they feel understood, challenged in a good way, and finally able to say things they’ve never said out loud. If you want authenticity, clarity, and a therapist who won’t BS you, that’s where I shine.
Ideal clients
I work best with teens and adults (14+) who are in the middle of a transition, identity shift, or life plot twist they didn’t exactly ask for. My ideal clients are people who want a space to think, vent, regroup, and make sense of the chaos without being judged for it. They’re willing to participate, be honest, and lean into the work—even when the work is uncomfortable. I’m especially a good fit for neurodivergent folks, culturally mixed or marginalized clients, helpers who never get helped, and anyone who uses humor as both a shield and a survival tool. If you appreciate a therapist who can hold heavy stories, call out patterns gently but clearly, and laugh with you when that’s the only thing keeping you from crying—then we’ll get along just fine.
Treatment methods
Humanistic
I was trained in humanistic approaches across multiple clinical settings, and it remains one of the core foundations of my work. I use a person-centered style that honors your individuality, your story, and your pace. My goal is to help you understand your own path—not the one others expect from you—and support you in building a life that feels authentic and aligned.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Cultural humility is non-negotiable in my practice. I never assume I know a client’s lived experience—I ask, I listen, and I make space for the ways culture, identity, and community shape how you move through the world. I integrate culturally responsive care into every session, because who you are matters just as much as what you’ve been through.
Gender-affirming therapy
Gender-affirming care is one of my areas of specialty. I’m trained in LGBTQIA+ trauma-focused CBT (LGBT-CBT) and have provided training to other clinicians on affirming practices. I support clients across the spectrum of gender identity and expression, offering a safe, knowledgeable, and validating space for exploration, transition journeys, and healing.
Interpersonal
Interpersonal Therapy helps us understand how our symptoms show up within our relationships—family, friendships, partners, work, community. I use IPT to help clients notice patterns, clarify boundaries, and strengthen communication so their connections become healthier, more grounded, and less draining.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma work is at the heart of my practice. When clients want to “work through something,” I draw from Trauma-Informed Care principles and my experience treating PTSD and complex trauma. I focus on safety, pacing, and empowerment, helping clients make sense of their trauma without feeling overwhelmed or re-triggered. Post-traumatic growth is possible, and we work toward it together.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 34840