Indian marriage counseling and relationship therapy in Los Angeles
Culturally informed couples therapy for South Asian and Indian marriages in Pasadena, Los Angeles & virtually the rest of California.
You married with hope. But somewhere between family expectations, communication breakdowns, and the weight of two worlds colliding—you've ended up feeling more like roommates than partners. Maybe you're fighting the same fights in circles. Maybe you've stopped fighting altogether and the silence is worse. The cultural differences, unspoken resentments and in-law conflict, have created a distance between you two that neither of you knows how to cross. You love each other. But love alone doesn't always know how to bridge the gap between who you were raised to be and who the two of you are trying to become—together. Whether you're in an arranged marriage and still building trust, a love marriage your family didn't approve of, or a partnership straining under the weight of cultural expectations, in-law dynamics and intimacy issues—you deserve a space where both of you feel heard and understood.
As a South Asian psychologist with 26 years of experience working with Indian and intercultural couples, I understand the specific pressures that shape South Asian marriages—the joint family dynamics, the gendered expectations, the guilt of disappointing parents, and the tension between tradition and individual needs. I utilize evidence based Gottman and Hendrix methods and tailor the therapy to your specific context. We work on what's actually happening beneath the conflict—the patterns each of you brought from your families, the needs that are not being expressed, and the connection that got buried under obligations.
Therapy in English, Hindi & Marathi. In-person in Pasadena and virtual throughout California
I’ve helped couples move away from their repetitive arguments—to genuinely understand each other. From emotional distance—to reconnection and intimacy. From managing expectations for everyone else—to building a partnership that actually works for both of you.f you are done feeling stuck reliving the same argumen ts with each other and do not want to navigate this problems alone call now for a free 20-minute consultation: (626) 214-5366 email: drlele@mentalwealthinc.com or click here to see how I can help,
Common reasons Indian and South Asian couples seek counseling
In-law conflict – Navigating boundaries with parents, living in a joint family, or managing expectations about involvement in your marriage
Traditional vs. modern expectations – Tension around gender roles, career decisions, or how to raise children
Communication breakdown – Avoiding conflict to keep the peace, then resenting each other, or fighting without resolution
Arranged marriage adjustment – Building intimacy and trust when you didn't choose each other, or when family pressure shaped the decision
Cultural identity differences – One partner more traditional, the other more Western, and struggling to find common ground
Lack of emotional connection – Feeling like roommates, going through the motions, or losing the closeness you once had
Infidelity or betrayal – Navigating the aftermath of an affair and deciding whether to rebuild trust
Considering separation or divorce – Weighing the consequences, family shame, and what you actually want for your life
My approach to marriage counseling
My work is psychodynamic and relational. We don't just address surface-level conflicts. We look at the deeper patterns—what each of you learned about relationships growing up, how cultural expectations shaped those beliefs, and how those patterns play out now.
Together we explore:
What did each of you learn about marriage, gender roles, and family loyalty?
How do those beliefs show up in your conflicts?
What do you each need that isn't being said?
How can you build a partnership that honors both your cultural identity and your individual needs?
The goal is not just to reduce conflict. It's to help you build a relationship where both of you feel seen, valued, and connected.
When culture and family dynamics are part of the marital equation
Many of my clients are navigating:
Parents or in-laws who feel entitled to make decisions about your marriage, finances, or children
Pressure to stay married "for the family" even when the relationship feels damaging
Guilt about setting boundaries or disappointing parents
Conflict between what your family expects and what you actually want
The belief that asking for help means you've failed
Therapy is a place where you don't have to explain why these dynamics are hard. We can go straight to what's actually happening and what needs to change. Hindi-speaking marriage counseling in Pasadena and throughout California. I offer sessions in English, Hindi & Marathi. I see couples in-person in my Pasadena office and virtually throughout California. Virtual therapy to clients in New York State coming soon.
If you're wondering whether marriage counseling could help, I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation: Call (626) 214-5366 , email drlele@mentalwealthinc.com or click button to request your consultation.We'll briefly discuss what you're facing, I'll answer questions about my approach, and we'll decide on next steps in a collaborative way that suits both the partners needs. It’s just a conversation.