My Approach
Many people believe that therapy can only help individuals with a diagnosed condition or couples on the verge of separating. In many cases, however, there isn’t a need for a full diagnosis or a crisis to benefit from counseling. You may not know why you feel off balance. Or, maybe you want to learn new skills to grow as an individual or couple. My passion is people, and I want to help you and your family foster a greater sense of hope, joy, and meaning in your life. With guidance and support, you can recognize what you need to feel happy, identify goals, and take a new direction.
I bring my extensive personal, multicultural and professional experience to every session. My goal is to help you feel comfortable exploring your needs and support you as you set goals and develop strategies to move from where you are to where you want to be. I believe that true health is achieved through life balance, and I work with you to develop effective skills and strategies you can use to address the sources of stress and imbalance in your own life. We may not be able to work through every issue in a single session, but I want you to leave my office every week feeling better about yourself and more empowered to affect positive change in your life.
I use research-based approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques, to help you understand how your thoughts affect your emotions and actions. Whether you have felt self-conscious for years, feel overwhelmed with stress, or you are struggling to cope with a recent trauma or significant life transition, there is a path to hope and healing. I can help you identify, explore, and address negative patterns of thought and core beliefs that leave you feeling stressed, frustrated, anxious, or depressed and take steps to find relief and foster sustainable change. Using mindfulness techniques that are tailored to best support your unique strengths, needs, and goals, you can learn how to stay present and work through difficult thoughts. When you incorporate meditation, journaling, focused breathing, or other mindfulness practices into your routine, you give yourself time and space to process your thoughts. You can determine what is causing distressing thoughts and make meaningful changes that are in alignment with your core beliefs and values.
In some cases, anxiety, depression, and other diagnosable conditions may be caused or worsened by relationship stress. Relationships can be difficult, especially if you, your partner, and/or your relatives have different opinions about what is best for you and your family. You want to honor your partner and family’s wishes, but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your own values, hopes, and needs. As an LMFT, Certified Premarital Counselor, and a psychotherapist using the Gottman Method Couples Therapy, I am well equipped to help. I serve a wide range of couples with unique backgrounds, cultures, and therapy goals.
If you are ready to work toward a more hopeful, joyful life and relationships, or if you have questions about how my approach can help you, I invite you to call (866) 478-3978 to speak with me and schedule our first session.
Darshana earned her Bachelors in Psychology and her Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Pune in Pune, India. She earned a subsequent Masters in Counseling Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Orange, CA. Darshana is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).
