Akshita Vaidyanathan MSW, LICSW

I am trained in and pull from a variety of methods and treatment orientations depending on the needs and preferences of my client.

These theoretical orientations, modalities and methods include: attachment-based therapy, Brainspotting, Emotion Focused Therapy, DBT skills, harm reduction, parts work/IFS, systems theory and polyvagal theory.

I am also committed to ongoing learning and training and may add additional methods, or adjust my approach based on new learnings.

I’m not here to fix you or change you. Because you aren’t broken. None of us are. Our bodies have kept us safe, and many of the behaviors that you’ve been told are “maladaptive” or “pathological” are actually extremely wise ways in which your body has kept you alive in an extremely traumatic world.

All of us are the sum of all the experiences that came before us : we have been shaped by our homes, families, schools, workplaces as well as the sociopolitical, cultural, racial, geographical and economic backgrounds we come from and belong to.

The systems of oppression and violence that run our world – capitalism, white supremacy, caste supremacy, racism, gender-based violence, homophobia, transphobia are intrinsically connected to our mental, emotional and relational wellbeing. This way of being is not our natural state.

We have all inherited stories, traumas, beliefs, patterns from those who came before us, many of which may no longer serve us as individuals or as a collective.

By healing from our personal and collective traumas, we can begin to radically imagine what a world that is centered in love, reciprocity, community care and radical acceptance of difference looks like.

Our individual healing is interconnected with the collective healing of our societies and of our planet.

• LGBTQIA+ adults, Polyamorous & Non-Monogamous, Kinky & those who are questioning their gender, sexuality or relationship orientations
• Mixed/multiracial individuals, individuals with multicultural experiences
• Neurodivergent folks (e.g. Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, Highly Sensitive)
• Survivors of interpersonal, complex, state-sanctioned violence or trauma
• Spiritually sensitive individuals (i.e. those who have mystical experiences, identify as psychic/medium)
• Activists, mental health professionals, other kinds of healers

Brainspotting might be for you. It is a somatic (mind/body connection) based approach to therapy that uses points in the client’s visual field to help access, process and release core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challenging symptoms. Sounds strange right? Well it works really well for a variety of issues!

It can help with anxiety, depression, neurodivergent unmasking and more. If you have found that traditional talk therapy has not worked to help you make changes in your life, trying this somatic method might be the option for you.

Brainspotting is a beautifully expansive method that taps into our bodies’ innate wisdom and ability to heal itself.

I offer short-term Brainspotting intensives -- These healing intensives can be transformative for individuals who feel that talk therapy has not, or does not work for them. If you’re someone who wishes to dig deep into complex behaviors, issues and patterns to help resolve or lessen concerns that have been impacting you for many years - these intensives may be just right for you.

This short term intensive program is designed specifically for your needs and are an opportunity for you to address your issues at their root and be able to experience noticeable change in weeks rather than years. They will require dedicated focus, time, and commitment from both you & me and will be much more focused and structured than talk therapy sessions you may have engaged in previously.