Positive change often begins with an open heart
Rukhsar Chhipa, Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Life can become especially complicated when you are balancing your own needs with the expectations of family, culture, relationships, and the many roles you hold. You may be experiencing family conflict, anxiety, relationship difficulties, cultural pressures, or uncertainty during a major transition.
For clients navigating multicultural identities or complex family systems, it is not always easy to name what feels difficult. You may be wondering where you belong, how to honor your values while creating your own path, how to build healthier relationships without losing connection to the people you love or even yourself in the process, or how to hold onto your own identity while honoring the roles you carry.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, my approach is systemic at its core. I believe the
struggles we carry rarely exist in isolation, but are shaped by therelationships and patterns around us. I try to bring empathy and understanding to my work with women, having navigated many of the same roles myself as a mother, daughter, and wife, along with the societal, cultural, and external pressures that come with them. I also love working with families, because there is something beautiful about uncovering the connection that lives underneath the struggle and helping that connection surface in session. And I find deep meaning in working with couples: the highs and lows, the willingness two peopleshow when they choose to keep showing up for one another, and even the courage it takes to recognize when a relationship may need a different path, all of it moving toward contentment.
I enjoy working with couples, women, and families. I especially enjoy supporting clients with anxiety, trauma, relationship concerns, bicultural relationships, cultural adjustment, family conflict, self-esteem, life transitions, and premarital or marital concerns.
Who I Work With
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Couples
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Families with adolescents (13+)
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Individual adults
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Teens (13+)
What I Help With
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Anxiety and stress
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Depression and mood concerns
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Relationship issues
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Bicultural relationships
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Premarital counseling
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Marital counseling
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Family conflict
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Cultural adjustment issues
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Boundaries
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Self-esteem
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Life transitions
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Women's issues
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Spirituality and faith-related concerns
How I Work
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Systems-based therapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Strengths-based therapy
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Narrative therapy
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Structural family therapy
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Gottman Method interventions
As a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, I pay close attention to the relationships and environments that influence our lives. Together, we can explore family dynamics, communication patterns, and past experiences to better understand what is happening in your relationships and where you would like to see change.
I draw from several therapeutic approaches depending on your needs. Our work may include strengthening communication, uncovering the connection beneath conflict, developing coping strategies, establishing boundaries, or finding new ways to respond to longstanding patterns.
If spirituality is meaningful to you, I am also open to incorporating faith and personal beliefs into therapy in a way that supports your goals and values.
3 Reasons to Choose Therapy with Me
A Systems Perspective
Our relationships do not exist in isolation. I help clients consider how family dynamics, relationships, culture, and other parts of their environment may influence the challenges they are experiencing. This broader perspective can help make sense of patterns and identify opportunities for change.
Support for Relationships and Family Life
Whether you are preparing for marriage, working through difficulties in your relationship, or navigating challenges within your family, I can help you develop healthier ways to communicate and relate to one another. I especially enjoy working with couples and families with adolescents.
Culturally Responsive Care
My personal experience as a South Asian immigrant informs my appreciation for the complexities that can arise when cultural values, family expectations, and individual goals intersect. I strive to create a space where you can explore these experiences openly while determining what feels right for your own life.
My path toward becoming a therapist grew from my experiences in healthcare and my desire to help address gaps in mental health care. I became particularly interested in supporting communities where cultural experiences, family expectations, and stigma may create additional barriers to seeking help.
I studied Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University and am completing my clinical training under the supervision of Salma Abugideiri, LPC.
I provide therapy in English and am comfortable with conversational Hindi.
Languages
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English
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Conversational Hindi
Fees
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Individual Intake Session 90 minutes $165
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Individual Therapy Session 55 minutes $110
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Couples/Family Intake Session 90 minutes $165
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Couples/Family Therapy Session 90 minutes $165
I am a therapy intern providing services under the supervision of a licensed clinician. Intern services are private pay and are not eligible for reimbursement through insurance, including out-of-network benefits.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are looking for support with trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, cultural adjustment, or a major life transition, I invite you to take the first step.
Complete a brief online intake screener or request a complimentary 15-minute consultation with one of our Client Care Coordinators. They can answer questions, learn more about what you are looking for, and help guide you toward the next steps.