Welcome. My name is Vikash, and I am a Clinical Social Worker licensed to practice in the state of Texas. My experiences range from embodying roles of advocacy, therapy, case management, outreach, and education. I have worked primarily with POC and other American Cultural Minority populations, including South Asian survivors of domestic and sexual violence, 2SLGBTQIA+, and many others. My approach to the therapy space is eclectic, borrowing from many different schools of psychology, each of which shares a common belief in the ultimate ability to empower the innate strength and goodness present in all of us. The schools that I most commonly pull from are Humanism, Gestalt Psychology, and Social Work Systems theories. I believe that therapy is meant to be a space of mutual collaboration, to help work towards and help understand those aspects of your life that motivated you to seek guidance. I embrace a client-centered approach of unconditional positive regard designed to empower your inner strength, all in the service of helping you achieve your desired clinical outcomes. As a first generation Tamil-American, I have extensive personal and professional experience with model minority stressors, cultural trauma, immigration abuse, religious abuse, and various other struggles common for those that identify as a minority in America. My goal is to help create a validating space that encourages self-exploration, understanding, self-love, and an innate ability to embrace all of who you are – even when that can be the hardest thing to do.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
An intake process - a lot questions just getting to know you and making sure that I am fully understanding what it is that you are walking in with, as well as what it is that you'd like the therapy space to be about. By the end of our first session I will always ask for feedback on comfort and safety from interacting with me.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
My treatment methodology is eclectic, pulling from multiple schools of therapeutic practice. I commonly engage in methodology associated with Humanistic and Gestalt psychology, along with some somatic work (breathing, body scans, meditation, etc.) as needed. I only use techniques and clinical tools that are culturally competent, clinically appropriate, and trauma-informed.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My clinical strengths lie in creating a safe space for the expression of minority and POC struggles - from systemic abuse/trauma to culturally specific traumas like financial and immigration abuse, along with the cultural influences in other high-trauma areas such as sexual violence, domestic violence, and abusive relationships (including romantic relationships, friendships, parental/caregiver abuse, workplace abuse, etc.). I also have significant experience with cultural and intersectional influences on common mental health diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, etc.