Lakshmi Kalluri, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
MFT#127372 | lakshmi@mcaft.com | 650-297-3400 ext: 17
Locations: Teletherapy | Fee: Sliding Scale, $180 – $250
Languages: English, Hindi, Telugu
Modalities: Trauma Informed, CBT, Mindfulness, DBT
Adults: Trauma, Complex Trauma, Anxiety (performance anxiety / perfectionism, separation anxiety, social anxiety, postpartum anxiety), Depression, Life Transitions, Career Path, Identity & Acculturation
Teens: Trauma, Complex Trauma, Emotion Regulation, Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Performance Anxiety / Perfectionism, Academic Stress, Peer Challenges, Self Esteem, Depression, Identity & Acculturation Issues
Introduction and therapeutic Philosophy:
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about supporting teens, adults and families. I work well with clients seeking help with depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, relationship issues, and self-esteem. Having lived and worked in multiple continents has been instrumental in understanding the diverse Silicon Valley clientele.
My clients describe me as warm, nurturing, and non-judgmental. I create a safe space where you can take your time to share your story and not feel rushed.
When life throws curveballs (and it does!), it becomes difficult to navigate through the ordeal alone. During these moments, it is difficult to hold faith, remember our resolve and our inner strength. I can remind you and help you remember your true potential. Through the darkness, we can work toward finding light and meaning. I have been told by my clients that sharing painful life events with me has been validating and liberating.
Positive change is possible and together we will strive to achieve it by changing thoughts, and behaviors that no longer serve you. My primary goal in therapy is to ensure you feel fully seen, heard and understood. I will listen to your stories through your lens and perspective instead of mine. I utilize a strength-based approach – focusing on your inner strengths, and the inherent resources you already possess.
I can assist you in accomplishing your goals, creating a more joyful life, and obtaining new skills to help you become self-sufficient. My ultimate goal as your therapist will be to promote your self-agency and empower you, so you are in charge of your life and your journey.
Taking the first step to asking for support takes courage. We all need support and are on this journey for healing collectively. My intention as a therapist is to remove the stigma around mental health and to normalize asking for support.
Therapy Session:
This is how a typical session with me would look like:
Each session you will be greeted with “How would you like to spend your time today?” This is to ensure YOU will be deciding the focus of the session and set the pace that’s right for you. I invite you to express your needs freely in the session with me, so I can provide (i.e., exploring different ways to look at a situation, learning new skills, guidance, etc) what you are looking for.
You will be invited to regularly share feedback of the session with me. This will provide me valuable information and enable me to change track (if need be) to ensure your needs are met. I am flexible in my approach and will adjust and adapt accordingly to ensure your therapeutic needs and goals are fulfilled.
Through our dialogue, we will collaboratively develop a custom-tailored treatment plan for your unique needs and goals. These therapeutic goals will be reviewed throughout therapy.
You are in charge of your life’s journey and so I will present a combination of evidence-based treatment modalities for you to choose the one you resonate most with. I typically employ different theoretical orientations/ interventions seamlessly depending on your needs during the session.
Theoretical orientation:
We will choose the therapy approach together from the following modalities: client-centered, strength-based approach, cognitive-behavioral framework, mindfulness, solution-focused, and emotion-focused therapy. I also ensure practicing therapy utilizes a culturally sensitive perspective and takes unique factors that are important to you into consideration, for example your religious or spiritual beliefs.
Self-compassion and forgiveness are important concepts I include in my work with my clients. The following quote resonates deeply with me.
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete” – Jack Kornfield
Education: