Priya Badhwar, PsyD

Many of us have spent a lot of time alone with our thoughts and feelings, often believing it is our responsibility to quietly push them aside or manage them on our own. Part of doing the work in therapy is undoing this aloneness and letting others in. Therapy can be a space to process life transitions, stressors, relationships, and joys, and sort through them with someone you can rely on. I strive to be that person for you. I value creating a collaborative relationship that fosters trust and safety by infusing warmth, curiosity, humor, and authenticity into how I relate to others. I listen for patterns to help you draw connections between current and past life events and how they are impacting you in the present. As I learn more about your experiences, we will work together to explore your concerns and identify techniques to better manage them. I hope to create a space for you to bravely reflect on changes you want to make in your life that will lead to a more fulfilling present and future.

As a South Asian American and child of immigrants, I have seen in my community and in my clinical work how various cultural identities (gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity, immigration status, and many others) interact with our mental health. I am passionate about working with individuals exploring, negotiating, and balancing various cultural values and navigating several identities. My experiences providing, individual, group, and couples psychotherapy in community mental health centers, hospitals, and university counseling centers (University of Chicago and University of Illinois Chicago) have prepared me to work with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and with a broad range of concerns.

While making the first step to start therapy can be intimidating, the process of improving your self-awareness and emotional well-being is rewarding. It would be my privilege to cheer for you, challenge you, and support you through this journey. I am accepting clients in person and virtually. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are interested in connecting or have further questions about my approach.