Sandya Viswanathan, LCSW
Embodied Relational Psychotherapy
My approach:
You are the expert of your experience. What I offer is deep listening and curiosity that allows me to connect with the emotions, meanings, and beliefs beneath your words. Together, we build a relationship within which insight develops and healing takes place. I consider it a privilege to be allowed into your life and take your trust very seriously.
I was trained as a trauma therapist, and I practice in a way that is holistic and expansive. I recognize that our mind-body systems hold great wisdom and resilience, as do our ancestors and intergenerational communities. Healing takes many paths, and I seek to support your inherent inclination toward health, growth, and restoration. The goal is more ease and attunement with yourself and your world.
I work well with folks who crave authenticity in their relationships, as my style is actively engaged and direct. I also understand deeply that change is hard, and use warmth and humor to help ease the way. If you’ve felt that therapy was too formal, or that previous therapists were too quiet, we may be a good fit!
Specialties:
Shame and self-blame
Ambivalence and inner conflict
Disconnection from self, emotions, and desires
Discrimination, marginalization, and internalized bigotry
Managing Anger
Trauma patterns and physiological reactions
Difficulties in relationships
Ambivalence and Inner Conflict
Identity and issues around belonging
Why Therapy?
In my experience, most clients don’t know what therapy is when they enter a therapist’s office for the first time; indeed, I didn’t know what it was myself when I was in the same position. Add to that the cost of therapy, the stigma of “needing” it, the self-exposure required, and the seeming self-indulgence of sitting in a room talking about yourself when our communities are at risk…it can seem like a strange thing to try.
I acknowledge that these are valid reasons to feel ambivalence or hesitation.
And yet, I also understand that therapy addresses the fundamental internal issues that worsen things like financial stress, family judgment, disconnection in relationships, and shame. Therapy works to remove obstacles between you and a more authentic, fulfilled, self-aware life. It can make you happier, stronger, more flexible and resilient, and thereby better able to take care of you and yours in a stressful and unpredictable world.