Padma Sonti Desai

I am a psychoanalytic psychotherapist with 20 years of clinical experience working with adults. My practice draws on rigorous training in Object Relations theory and contemporary psychoanalytic approaches, combined with evidence-based methods to address a wide range of psychological concerns.

I have worked across intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and private practice settings, bringing both depth of training and breadth of clinical experience to my work. I am formally trained at The Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in New York, and I regularly present at national and international psychoanalytic conferences.

I work with adults who are serious about understanding themselves more deeply and making meaningful, lasting change — not just symptom relief.

Sessions are conducted via a HIPAA-compliant video platform, accessible from any device. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to determine whether we are a good fit before beginning treatment.

My approach is rooted in contemporary psychoanalytic and Object Relations theory — a depth-oriented framework that explores the underlying patterns and early relational experiences that shape how we think, feel, and relate to others today.

Within this framework, I draw pragmatically on evidence-based methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Family Systems Theory when clinically indicated. This allows for both insight-oriented work and concrete, practical strategies tailored to your specific needs.

With 20 years of clinical experience across intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and private practice settings, I bring both theoretical depth and practical skill to every session.

The first session is a structured clinical consultation. I will conduct a thorough assessment of your presenting concerns, relevant history, and goals for treatment. By the end of our first meeting, you will have a clear sense of what we are working toward and an initial framework for how we will get there.

I provide a professional, confidential, and nonjudgmental space where you can speak openly. For clients who need immediate support, I integrate practical strategies early in the treatment process while building toward deeper, more lasting change.