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 are trying therapy for the first time, have been in therapy for as long as you can remember or are somewhere in between, I believe that we are a team working together with a common objective – helping you feel better. Every session is specifically tailored to you as I do not believe in a one size fits all approach.
What Therapy with Minal is Like:
My approach to therapy is collaborative, active, and nonjudgmental. Together, we will build you a unique toolbox of tips, tricks and strategies to help you achieve your desired outcomes quickly and confidently.
I don’t work from just one specific theoretical model (such as purely cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or Psychodynamic), but instead I pick and choose the most helpful techniques from a variety of modalities based on your wants, your needs and your goals. The one technique I use constantly and consistently is mindfulness. We can’t change our patterns if we’re can’t recognize them and we can’t recognize them if we’re constantly zooming through our days on autopilot. As a result, in session we do a lot of slowing down, breathing and noticing. While the practice is more challenging than it sounds, the results are limitless - self-awareness, self-compassion, self-acceptance, inner peace, intentionality, resilience, empowerment, choice and the list goes on and on and on.
My role as your therapist is to provide a safe and nurturing space for you to be able to be your authentic self without fear of judgment, retaliation, retribution or anything else. I prefer to be engaging rather than the traditional “blank slate” and do assign “homework” as applicable. No matter what you are working on or
how you choose to show up, we are on this journey together and you get to define what works for you. I value transparency and constantly encourage open and direct feedback from my clients. Some questions about therapy with me can be answered on my blog here and as always, feel free to ask me more about 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!
