Payal Dalal

Hi, I'm Payal, an LCSW with over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families in a variety of settings. In my private practice, I specialize in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. This means my focus goes beyond just putting a band-aid on surface-level symptoms; instead, we work together to understand the deeper roots of your anxiety, depression, or feelings of being "stuck." My advanced clinical training in this modality allows us to safely explore and break the long-standing patterns that are holding you back.

There isn't always one approach when it comes to therapy. Everyone's story is unique and you deserve an individualized approach to care. In the beginning stages of our work, I will prioritize learning more about you, your history, relationships, and how you've navigated events in your life in the past. We'll then work together to best achieve your therapeutic goals. Over the years, I've specialized in working with individuals facing the following:

• The "Sandwich Generation": Adults balancing the heavy dual mental load of raising children while supporting aging relatives.
• Parents: Managing burnout, shifting identities, and the daily overwhelm of family life.
• Young Adults: Navigating early career pressures, independence, and relationship patterns.
• Complex Dynamics: Working through cultural family expectations, generational trauma, and unexpected health or medical transitions.

In our first session together, you can expect to go at your own pace in discussing what brought you in and share what you're comfortable with. We'll look at the bigger picture and gently touch on your history, relationships, and current stressors to understand the context of what you are carrying.

Our connection is very important and our first session will be an opportunity for you to see how I work and I will strive to ensure you feel truly heard.

And finally, we'll work together to map a path forward. We won't fix long standing patterns in one day, but we'll identify underlying themes holding you back and discuss how we can tackle them together. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling understood and supported.