Culturally Sensitive Therapy

I welcome where you are from or whatever cultural background you have. I believe everyone has their own unique story and therapy sessions need to be customized based on individual backgrounds, cultures and needs

Culture plays a large role in how we express ourselves, how we are viewed by others, and how we experience our every day life.

I work with couples experiencing conflict due to cultural differences lean how to celebrate and enjoy these differences using a unique combination of psycho education and intimacy based communication skills that takes on average 6 months. Learning how to focus on the real cause of your conflict is liberating, and is based in learning how to be selfish by paying attention to your inner cues and identifying needs. I work to help you set healthy adult boundaries that create intimacy.

I don’t consider myself a very traditional therapist. I work very collaboratively with my clients, bringing my authentic self into the room while letting my clients take the lead in their lives. I work really actively with clients to facilitate a co-created healing space that allows for all aspects of a client’s identity and experience.

John has extensive education and clinical experience working with diverse populations.

Many of the clients who see me experience identity issues or trauma symptoms related to racially based or intergenerational traumas. My professional training and experience as an activist and advocate spanning decades underlies much of my focus on racial and social justice. I'm particularly attuned to issues of "difference" among those whose experiences do not reflect dominant thinking regardless of whether that experience reflects marginalization: Mixed-race, interracial and multicultural.

Our clinic prides itself on uplifting clients who come from under-served communities. We respect the intersectionality inherent in all of us and treat the whole client in context. In addition, we mindfully employ clinicians from multiple gender, cultural, and disability backgrounds.

My clinical training program has placed a significant emphasis on the importance of cultural sensitivity. I sincerely believe that every individual brings a unique and valuable part of their own culture into the therapeutic setting. This cultural influence greatly shapes their personality and often impacts their behavior in everyday life. I aim to provide valuable insight into a person's background, which allows them to evaluate how their own culture influences their thoughts and behaviors.

I received a great graduate and post graduate education where culturally sensitive therapy was emphasized and in addition through additional training annual training.

We are a diverse group of therapists, social workers, and counselors from various walks of life. Our collective experiences enable us to offer telemental health online therapy services and individualized treatment in a kind and compassionate manner.

We have a diverse staff with different backgrounds that help understand your unique experiences based on the intersectionality of your identities.

To be a culturally sensitive therapist, I do work on my own identities to help dismantle the power, privilege and oppression that each of them hold. I especially do work on my whiteness and on my owning-class upbringing. Then, rather than imposing my world view, I get super curious about your world view -- what cultural values do you hold? What aspects of your identities are you trying to get more in touch with? Which aspects of society have you internalized that you would like to see through?

Much of my graduate school training was in cross-cultural psychology, including understanding how culture is important in helping clients who struggle with various mental health problems. I use a cultural lens to view each of my clients and consider how culture has shaped them over time.

I think it will be most meaningful to include a real patient review: “Dr. Ambardar has tremendous insight into personal & collective trauma & the impact of ancestral trauma on a person's life. It is not often you come across a professional who has an in-depth understanding of collective trauma & its impact on an individual's life. Her work & her insights have been supportive in my own healing journey. I highly recommend anyone wanting to connect with their ancestral histories to work with Dr. A"

Identifying as BIPOC, AADPI, and/or Latine is a huge part of your life. We all wear our races on our faces. Understanding how your race, ethnicity, and culture effect your life is an inherent part of my role as your counselor. Together, we can explore what parts of your cultural identity feel like external expectations placed on you (like your parent's influences or stereotypes) and what parts create who you are as an individual. Going through my own cultural journey has taught me a lot!

As a Black gay male therapist, I feel I understand people's needs who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. As a person who endeavors to be culturally humble, I encourage exploration in the areas of Age, Developmental disabilities, Indigenous heritage, National origin, Racial identity, Ethnic identity, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, and sexual orientation.

It is important for me to be culturally sensitive in my work as I have worked and will continue to work with people from different cultural backgrounds, values and traditions. Learning, respecting and implementing this into the therapeutic relationship is most important for clients to receive the highest benefit of services and feel seen, heard and understood. I am not an expert on all cultures but I am sensitive to cultural differences that will be welcomed and discussed as needed.