Hi! My name is Nui (she/her). I am a psychotherapist, and at my core, I am a curious and empathic lover of stories. I believe everyone has their own story and deserves a space where their experiences are truly understood. I believe this especially for our south asian community, because our stories are often misrepresented or underrepresented. My practice is especially focused on supporting women of color, adult children of immigrant parents, individuals working to manage their anxiety/overthinking, and individuals exploring their spirituality, cultural identity, self-worth, and relationship attachments. I am dedicated to supporting not just individuals but also couples, as I believe that our connections with others are fundamental to our healing processes. In the therapy space, I gravitate towards using attachment work, polyvagal theory, somatic/body work, and parts/inner-child work.

I am an adult child of immigrants and a Bengali American, Muslim woman who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Growing up, I didn’t know how to navigate my bicultural American and Bengali Muslim identities in predominantly white communities. Through my lived experiences, I’ve also noticed that bringing my full, authentic self into the different communities I’m a part of can be difficult– leaving a feeling of separation or division within myself.

My brown traditions and visibly Muslim appearance made me feel alone and othered. When I’m in spaces that are secular and social justice oriented, I have hidden my spiritual beliefs and religious practices (e.g., believing in a God and prophets or choosing not to drink alcohol) fearing that my practice or belief may be interpreted as “out of the norm”, “too religious”, or “not accepting.” There are parts of us that are unwelcomed in secular, western spaces – the parts of ourselves that hold deep spiritual and cultural beliefs or practice traditions that ground us and provide a sense of direction. It may not feel safe to share these parts of yourself within communities where those beliefs and practices could be misunderstood or not accepted. To those parts of you, I see you and affirm the importance it holds in your life.

When I’m in spaces that are Islamically religious or spiritual, I have been rejected and criticized because of my beliefs of affirming and accepting everyone as they are. For those of us who belong to religious, cultural, or spiritual communities, there can be parts of ourselves that fall outside of traditional practices and beliefs. These parts may have been shamed, outcasted, or rejected. To those parts of you, I see you and am here to affirm your right to exist and choose who you want to be. You deserve community and support as you are.

I wonder if I’m not alone in these experiences, and that maybe you resonate with them too. The expectations of coming from a collectivist culture while living in the pressure cooker of a highly individualistic country can often create a stark divide between our “American” and “South Asian” selves. Navigating mental health in these two distinct cultures can feel like twice the burden and having to explain yourself to two worlds can be isolating.  If you do resonate with this, I want to let you know that you’re not alone. All the different parts of us and each of us as individuals have the right to choose our own paths. In therapy, we can process these dynamics and support you in finding a version of you that is authentic and a harmonious balance of your cultural identities.

I also practice with an understanding of the oppressive, capitalist structures that shape our lives. Often, the challenges we encounter stem not from personal failings but from western, societal expectations that emphasize relentless productivity and individualism with little focus on attuning to and caring for ourselves. This may also be emphasized by our south asian families and communities where “achievement” can be held in high regard. This might bleed into how we view ourselves, looking to achieve in different realms of our lives including “achieving” healing. Slowing down, taking a breath, being in the present, being in our bodies/souls, and being accepting of the person we are right now can feel new and foreign. At the same time, this way of living is ancestral for most of us and we have a special connection to practices of mindful, peaceful living. Whether this is new for you or you’re far in your journey of exploration, I’m here to walk alongside you as you explore the slower, more deeply rooted parts of yourself. Additionally, as an able-bodied, cis-gendered, heterosexual, middle-class individual, I am conscious of the privileges I hold and this awareness drives me to practice cultural humility. I am committed to striving continuously to understand and respect the diverse lived experiences even within the South Asian diaspora.

While all these beliefs guide my therapy style and they have been paths that worked for myself and other clients, I am, first and foremost, a companion who will walk alongside you, listen to you with warmth, and be a holder of your unique story. You are the priority and we will work together to unravel your story and continue to write it with you holding the pen.