POOJA MAMIDANNA, LMFT

LICENSED MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST

While collaborating with my clients, I always share with them the age-old saying from the one and only famous Master Oogway:

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift... that is why they call it the present”.

Some of you might smile to yourself and realize that it is from the movie Kung Fu Panda. I recommend watching the movie for those of you who do not know what I am talking about.

I believe life is a rollercoaster ride; some days are good, and some are more challenging. My role as your therapist is to collaborate with you to help you be more present in your life. Managing this rollercoaster ride with greater ease can be achieved through building resilience and identifying your strengths.

As you are the expert on your life, my role as your therapist is to help you be more present with regard to the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of your life’s journey. Each individual’s experience is subjective, and I adapt my theoretical approach and sessions to match your needs best. I draw from many family system theories, evidence-based practices, postmodern theories, and meditation and spiritual techniques.

My clinical experience includes substance use, crisis residential treatment facilities, and community mental health outpatient clinics (children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, and the elderly population). 

I collaborate with  my clients from a globally social justice and trauma-informed care lens. I am passioante  in discussing diversity issues such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, culture and disability. My clinical  research interests include multicultural psychology, decolonizing therapy, spirituality in clinical practice, BIPOC mental health, the intersectionality of BIPOC identities and neurodiversity, South Asian mental health, grief, loss, intergenerational, and complex trauma.

PERSONAL

I have had the wonderful opportunity to live in India and the United States. Cultural diversity has always been part of my upbringing, as I attended an international school from kindergarten to grade 12. I have always interacted with folks from different walks of life.

Through my life experiences and interactions with others, I have always been interested in learning more about an individual’s life journey. I enjoy meeting and getting to know new people from around the world.

When I am not passionately helping and caring for my clients, I can mostly be found at the gym. Meditation and lifting weights are my daily mantra, which allows me to be more present with the mind, body, and spiritual components of my life.

I look forward to collaborating with you and being part of your life’s journey.

EDUCATION

B.A. Psychology, Jai Hind College ( Mumbai, India)

M.S.C Counseling Psychology, Christ University (Bengaluru, India)

M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, California School of Professional Psychology (San Francisco, CA)

Currently a Doctoral Student (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology at California School of Professional Psychology (San Francisco, CA)