Prathma Sharma, Ph.D

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

My work is shaped by a deep respect for clients’ lived experiences. I believe therapy is a space where you should feel heard, understood, and accepted for who you are. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. I aim to create a space where clients can reconnect with themselves, and make intentional choices for healing and growth. Together, we will work to understand what you are experiencing, explore patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop tools that support meaningful and lasting change.

I have trained in both India and the U.S., and have provided individual and group therapy in hospitals, university counseling centers, and community-based settings. With a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Duquesne University, my work is grounded in relational, psychodynamic, humanistic, and trauma-informed therapies, along with evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). I take a holistic and culturally responsive approach to mental health. I also pay attention to the ways our bodies can hold and communicate experiences that may be difficult to put into words. I especially enjoy working with intersectionally diverse clients who are navigating complex trauma, identity and cultural experiences, difficult or conflicting emotions, major life transitions, intergenerational stress, and the effects of discrimination or systemic oppression.

In addition to therapy, I offer collaborative psychological assessments. I see assessment not simply as a process of identifying diagnoses, but as an opportunity to better understand yourself, your strengths, and the experiences that have shaped you.

Wherever you are in your journey, I would be honored to work alongside you as you make sense of your experiences, build on your strengths, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, and Punjabi

Specialties

• Anxiety
• OCD, phobias
• Depression and mood disturbances
• Cultural and identity exploration (BIPOC, immigrant, and international student populations)
• Trauma — intergenerational stress, complex trauma, PTSD
• Interpersonal and relationship issues
• Childhood concerns/experiences
• Self-knowledge and self-awareness
• Cultural transitions/adjustment

Can Also Work With

• Personality disorders
• Neurodiversity — autism and ADHD
• Education and career difficulties
• Emotion regulation
• Grief and loss

Insurances Covered:

• Optum
• Aetna
• Cigna
• United Healthcare

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