Noopur Shah

For Real Therapy

When you're seeking a therapist, the first thing that can run through your mind is -- "What's wrong with me?"​; "I am broken"​; "If I can't help myself, how can I expect anyone else to?"​ This type of thinking shapes the action we take and influences how we present ourselves to the world. By the time you find the help you are looking for, you might not recognize yourself, let alone have a grasp on what you should do next. For the past decade, I have worked directly on the frontlines of mental health. Sadly, I have come away disappointed and at times frightened by what I have seen. Instead of compassion, I have seen labeling. Instead of awareness, I have observed fear. Instead of authenticity, I have seen posturing. Interventions that do not align with values can only increase a sense of distress within individuals and our society. Therapy has been everything but real. I believe therapy should be engaging, rewarding, and unique to each individual. If in the past you've found therapy to be too abstract or removed, then you will most likely find my approach to be a bit different. I am passionate about using creative approaches to foster realistic progress. If you want to get nerdy about it, I rely on incorporating evidence informed interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Therapy is a step towards an understanding of how you ripple within the waves of your own life. Therapy is a political act. It makes a statement that you are committed to undertaking a path towards how you relate to yourself in order to best relate to others. We will work to shape your actions to build a better world. Whether it's within your community, your family, or within your own creative endeavors.