About Me

My work is multifaceted. Over the years I have enjoyed the opportunity to teach, practice, coach, mentor, train, administer, conduct research and publish extensively in the fields of mental health and coaching. 

​

It has been my privilege to teach and supervise hundreds of psychology doctoral students over 20+ years of working as a Professor of Clinical Psychology. Additionally, I have enjoyed practicing at Aspire Consulting and Therapy as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as both a Certified Executive Coach and a Certified Career Development Coach. My educational background includes a PhD from Texas Tech University, a Master's degree in Psychology from University of Bombay, and BA (Honors) in Psychology from University of Delhi. I am a Clinical Fellow and AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and have over twenty years of clinical experience in both India and the United States with a highly diverse client population. 

As a dually certified Executive Coach and a Career Development Coach, I work with my clients to align their personal goals with those of their organization, and work towards measurable success. Another one of my areas of focus has been leadership development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. During coaching, the conversation might begin with questioning what success means to the individual. I facilitate deeper self-reflection and use a systemic lens to help people examine their own behavior patterns and assumptions. I often use a diversity lens to frame these conversations. My style is active and interactive. Sometimes a client might feel uncomfortable to stretch themselves but as a coach I am there with you every step of the way. 

​

My clinical work is focused on improving couple communication, helping clients improve their relationships, function better, and live more meaningfully. I rely on current effectiveness research to find the best treatment fit for my clients. Many folks seek me out for help with areas like depression and anxiety, parenting concerns, couple conflict, work and life challenges, as well as cultural questions. I am passionate about diversity and feel privileged to have worked with clients from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds and well as those that identify as LGBTQ+. All of my interventions include a systemic, multicultural understanding of individuals, families and community. 

​

I have published widely in the areas of family and couple therapy, cross-cultural and gender issues and South Asian families, served as Associate Editor for the Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy (Springer), as well as Associate Editor for the Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy (In press, Wiley). I have edited the books Multicultural Couple Therapy (2009) and Voices of Color (2005), both of which were published by Sage. I've also served as Program Director for the SAMHSA funded Minority Fellowship Program at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). From 2005 to 2011, I worked as Associate Editor for the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy and served as a member of the Board and reviewer for several other professional journals. While most of my publications are for professional audiences, I have also authored numerous articles for the general public. 

​

While I love my work, I equally enjoy getting away to appreciate nature, or experience other countries and cultures. When I am in town, my weekends are spent watching movies or trying out new cuisines with my husband, sons, and friends.