About
Dr. Darshana Lele
My Approach
I'm Dr. Darshana Lele, a South Asian clinical psychologist with 26 years of experience helping individuals and couples navigate trauma, anxiety, relationship patterns, and cultural identity across New York and California states.
I understand what it's like to live between two worlds—managing external expectations while trying to honor what's true internally. As a woman of color from a South Asian background, I know the specific challenges cultural minorities face in the US: imposter syndrome, family pressure, navigating identity, and the exhaustion of working twice as hard just to be seen as equal.
My work is rooted in psychodynamic and relational therapy. I help clients understand how past relationships shape current patterns and build healthier ways of connecting—to themselves and others. I provide insight into your underlying thoughts and feelings so that you have a clear understanding of why you act in ways that you do (i.e. your patterns) with the ultimate goal of creating positive changes in the areas in your life that cause you distress.
With couples, I center the work around Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) which is an evidence-based approach that uses the relationship between each client in the couple with the therapist, internal neurobiology, providing understanding of each partner’s defence mechanisms and teaching emotional regulation.
Who I work with
• South Asian and Asian American clients navigating cultural identity, family dynamics & arranged marriages
• LGBTQ+ individuals managing identity, relationships, cultural expectations & non-binary identities and intersectionality
• Adults healing from trauma, PTSD (acute or chronic), and childhood wounds
• High-functioning individuals struggling with anxiety, loneliness, or emptiness despite outward success
• Couples facing communication issues, intimacy challenges, parenting difficulties, cultural differences, or specific challenges rooted in Arranged marriages, Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM) or Queer relationships.
I'm bilingual in Hindi and work with clients in-person in Pasadena and virtually throughout California; with New York coming soon!
Credentials
Background and training
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California (PSY #24852); New York coming soon (#018132)
• 26 years of clinical experience in California and New York
• Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral & multicultural approach
• LGBTQ+ affirmative and sex-positive approach
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University in New York
• Certificate in training from Steven Mitchell Center for Relational Studies
Pasadena Office
Ready to Start?
If you are tired of repeating destructive patterns against your better judgment; or just going through the motions ultimately feeling unhappy and lonely. You don’t have to dread the constant anxiety anymore. Together we can get you to a safe, grounded, happy future where you are in control of actions. Call (626) 214-5366 for a FREE consultation or book your consult below.