Lavanya Madhusudan, LGSW
About
I seek to co-create healing relationships with Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrant and South Asian adults as well as individuals involved in changemaking and social justice work.
As an immigrant and woman of color, I am passionate about supporting BIPOC, immigrant and South Asian adults in their journey towards healing, authenticity, and growth. My years of experience as a client in therapy have shown me the importance of finding a therapist who is a good fit. For many people, finding a therapist who can relate to their cultural background and life experiences can make all the difference. I hope to support clients in navigating multiple cultural identities, breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma, and healing and thriving in the face of injustice and oppression.
As a social worker involved in movement, organizing and advocacy spaces for over a decade, I am also dedicated to supporting folks involved in changemaking work. I hope to support movement leaders, organizers, and activists who are seeking to do their own healing work so as not to embody and replicate the harmful and oppressive systems that they are working to change. I also seek to support individuals who are working to create institutional change within government, academia, and other institutional settings in their efforts to care for and resource themselves while working within these often challenging environments.
I work to customize my approach to each client based on their needs. I find that most clients benefit from mindfulness and somatic practices to build self-awareness and connection. However, I believe that the relationship between the client and therapist matters more than any specific approach. I strive to bring an anti-oppression and social justice lens to my work. As we are deeply shaped by our experiences and environments, I assist clients in making meaning of their experiences in ways that center on their strengths and inner wisdom.
Experience
I am an Indian American immigrant woman. I am a social worker who has worked in public health, social justice and systems change work for over a decade in community, healthcare, government and nonprofit settings in the United States and abroad. Throughout, my goal has been to understand and address the many structural and systemic barriers that prevent immigrants and communities of color from having equitable access to opportunities to thrive.
As a therapist, I bring a strong understanding of these barriers and seek to offer a safe, non-judgmental and supportive space in which clients can heal, reconnect with their deepest knowing and create the life they long for.
Education & Licensure
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University of Maryland, MSW, 2015
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Johns Hopkins University, MPH, 2015
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MD LMSW License Number: 28793
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DC LGSW License Number: LG200002321
Specialties
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Adults
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Individuals
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BIPOC
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Immigrants
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South Asians
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Changemakers
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Women
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Life transitions
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Trauma
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Mindfulness
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Self-care