About Minal (Therapy in Austin and Online Across TX & CA)
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"Minal is a smart, sensitive woman who cares deeply for her clients. I had the pleasure of supervising her work as a student therapist, and found her to be both wise and kind, the kind of counselor who listened with great empathy and also helped her clients to find opportunities to create the change they wanted in their lives." - Shiela Addison, PhD, LMFT.
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Whether you're new to therapy or a seasoned pro, we’re a team united by one goal: your well-being. Each session is uniquely crafted for you because I believe in personalized care— not a one size fits all approach.
What Therapy with Minal is Like:
My therapy approach is collaborative, active, and nonjudgmental. Together, we'll create a personalized toolbox filled with effective tips, tricks, and strategies to help you achieve your goals quickly and confidently.
I don’t adhere to a single theoretical model like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or Psychodynamic. Instead, I select techniques from various modalities tailored to your needs, wants, and goals. One constant in my practice is mindfulness. We can’t change our patterns without recognizing them, and that recognition often requires slowing down from our busy lives. As a result, in session we do a lot of slowing down, breathing and being present. While this practice can be challenging, the rewards are profound: enhanced self-awareness, self-compassion, inner peace, resilience, empowerment, and so much more.
My role as your therapist is to provide a safe, nurturing space where you can be your authentic self—free from judgment, retaliation, or fear of retribution. I take an engaging approach rather than the traditional "blank slate" style and may assign homework when it's helpful to your growth.
No matter what you're working on or how you choose to show up, we’re in this journey together, and you get to define what works best for you. I value transparency and actively encourage open, direct feedback to ensure our work aligns with your needs.
You can find answers to some common questions about therapy with me on my FAQs page, and I’m always happy to discuss my approach when we meet.
Click here or on the button below to schedule your first session today!
About Minal: Best Therapist in Austin
I am first generation Southeast Asian American female who was born and raised in New York City. After having lived and worked around the world (Lagos, Dubai, Jakarta, Mumbai and Madrid), I landed on attending graduate school in San Francisco, CA. During the pandemic, my family and I moved to Austin, TX.
Before becoming a therapist, I tried my hand at a lot of different jobs but I never had a career. I worked in services, education, advertising, entertainment, journalism and tech. I can relate to high stress, intense pressure, unyielding expectations and endless workloads.
I’ve experienced the desire for work-life balance and the not knowing how to get there;
The want for peace and quiet and the pull to constantly be busy;
The clash between Eastern and Western cultures and values and not feeling like I belonged anywhere;
And the need to appear like I had it all together meanwhile feeling like I was just hanging on by a thread.
I also know how hard it can be and how long it can take to transition from one’s hometown to a new place for a relationship, a job or simply for a change. I moved around a lot. I get it. I’ve been there. And now I want to help.
In graduate school I worked with clients around the Bay Area to overcome whatever was standing between them and their best selves. In session, we practiced mindfulness and created balance. We laughed, we cried, we explored and we connected all to help them be the people they wanted to be. Now I want to take you on a similar journey, but one tailor made for you.
Education and Experience:
I received my BA in Psychology and Communications from Boston College and my Masters Degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Francisco.
I started working with clients while in graduate school and have continued since, training at: City Arts & Technology High School, Project Pride (EBCRP), City College of San Francisco, Haight Ashbury Psychological Services and The TALK Line.
Hobbies:
When I'm not with my clients, I'm usually chasing my three young kids around Austin, being in nature (hiking, kayaking, sailing, swimming), doing yoga or spending time with family and friends.
I look forward to getting to know more about you!
