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Hi, I'm Priya!

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I have lived in five countries. And in every single one, there has been a moment where someone asks "where are you from?" and I freeze.

Not because I do not know the answer — but because I have too many answers, and none of them feel complete.

I was born in India. I grew up across Lucknow, Dubai (very briefly), and Nairobi, studied and spent most of my late teens and 20s across Florida (Miami Lantana, West Palm Beach), and Vancouver. Now I have the privilege of living in Querétaro, Mexico as a permanent resident, teaching psychology at two universities, building a therapy practice, and finally setting down some roots.

Moving around that much forces you to become incredibly adaptable. You learn how to quickly read a room, pick up on the unspoken rules, and adapt yourself to fit into entirely new environments over and over again. You get used to the constant balancing act of adjusting to the space around you.

Before pivoting into counseling psychology, that capacity for flexibility allowed me to work across a massive spectrum of human experiences within the scope of music therapy. I spent years clinical training and working in children’s hospitals, cancer centers, and VA centers—navigating rooms with both neurotypical and neurodivergent kids, teens, and adults. Every single day required me to step into a completely different reality and adapt on the fly. But out of all those spaces, it was my work in hospice care that truly changed the trajectory of how I practice.

Standing in those quiet, heavy rooms at the end of life, I realized that you can't always fix a situation, change the medical outcome, or rely on words alone. What actually mattered was presence, drop any need for a perfect performance, and sit in the heavy stuff with someone so they didn't have to carry it alone.

That is why I became a therapist. Because whatever you are navigating, you do not have to go through it alone.

My Approach

Nobody knows your story, your history, or your lived experience better than you do—which means you are the expert in the room, and I’m here to learn your context directly from you without making assumptions. In my practice, I use an eclectic approach. I don’t believe in forcing anyone into a rigid, one-size-fits-all clinical box. Instead, I fluidly blend traditional talk therapy, creative arts, and a deep understanding of psychology to tailor our sessions to whatever you need right now. Some frameworks I draw commonly from include:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

This is my primary framework. Anxiety and tough seasons often trick us into believing we have to "fix" or completely eliminate our difficult thoughts and feelings before we can move forward or to be happy. ACT flips this script. It’s a highly practical, action-oriented approach that teaches you concrete skills so you can navigate life with your anxiety or discomfort, rather than letting it control your choices. We focus on clarifying what you actually value, so you can build a life based on what matters to you instead of trying to avoid pain.

Narrative Therapy

The stories we tell ourselves about who we are (often shaped by our families, our culture, or our past struggles) can make us feel trapped or like we don't fit in. Narrative therapy is built entirely on the idea that the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem. Together, we look at the old narratives you've been carrying, question the expectations that are draining your energy, and help you rewrite your own story on your own terms.

Attachment-Based Therapy

We don’t love, communicate, or protect ourselves by accident—we learn how to do it from our earliest relationships. This framework looks at the relational blueprints you developed growing up. If you notice patterns of constantly fearing abandonment, pushing people away when things get close, or over-functioning to keep the peace in your adult relationships, attachment work helps us understand why.

 

Adlerian Therapy

Humans are deeply social beings, and we don’t live in a vacuum. This approach looks at how your unique upbringing, early family dynamics, and background shape how you view the world today. It focuses heavily on your drive for belonging, significance, and connection.

 

Music Therapy & Creative Arts Therapies

Because of my background in music therapy, I honor non-verbal processing, creativity, and meeting people beyond just words. Sometimes the heavy stuff doesn't fit neatly into a sentence, and having a space that allows for creative expression (music, art, play) makes all the difference.

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CREDENTIALS & TRAINING

Master of Counselling Psychology — Adler University, Vancouver, Canada (2025)

Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy — University of Miami, Florida (2022)

Minor in Psychology

Certifications

Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC #11259994) issued by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)

Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC #17342) issued by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT)

Based on accredited degree, graduate-level education, supervised clinical hours, and ongoing continuing education. Members are held to ongoing professional and ethical standards.

Requires an accredited degree, supervised clinical internship, documented practicum hours, and passing a national board examination. Ongoing continuing education required to maintain certification. Credentialed therapists held to professional and ethical standards.

Additional Training

Gottman Method Couples Therapy — Level 1

ACT for Beginners — Psychwire

Integrative Trauma and Attachment Model (ITAM), Part 1: Foundations

Child Aware Practice — Emerging Minds Australia

Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C — Canadian Red Cross

Currently pursuing: Credential revalidation in Mexico as a Registered Psychologist

Outside of Sessions

When I’m not in the therapy room or lecturing at the university, here’s a few things that keep me busy:

  • I am in the process of learning Spanish, which mostly means I am learning to embrace making mistakes, and celebrating the small wins of daily communication.

  • I’ve recently gotten into gardening, which has turned out to be a beautiful exercise in patience and letting go of control.

  • I love a good TV show, but I am also completely unashamed of my love for reality TV. If you want to reference Love is Blind or The Summer I Turned Pretty, I’m your gal.

  • I enjoy playing video games (Animal crossing, Princess Peach, Sonic, Mario, Pokemon and much more). I’m always trying to carve out more time for this as a way to connect with my inner child.

  • I am currently working on earning the trust and friendship of my rescue Quaker parrot. 

  • I’m currently stepping outside my comfort zone and learning how to create content for social media.

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