Psychotherapy and Counseling in Boulder
DR NISHA FERNANDES-SESHADRI, LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
Offering Psychological Services to residents of Colorado (PSY 0005742) and California (PSY 27003)
Hello! I'm a psychologist with over 20 years of experience in the field. I understand that life doesn't always go the way we want or planned for. This has happened to me, my loved ones and clients. How we react says a lot about not only who we are, but who we can be. Sometimes we need another perspective or feedback from a neutral person to help us get unstuck. Challenges and adversity truly can help us become better people.
I've helped numerous individuals over the years, including those with relationship problems, anxiety, depression, trauma, loss & grief, ADHD/executive functioning challenges, parenting struggles, cultural/racial issues, and health problems.
I know it is huge to take the first step and make a call. I'm happy to be a listening ear but I also provide a great deal of feedback when you are ready. I love my job - it brings a great deal of meaning to help others. I'm looking forward to helping you find your path in life, too.
About Me
I obtained my BA in Psychology from Michigan State University and my Doctorate in Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at San Francisco.
For the last 10 years, I’ve found my calling and joy in private practice. However, I’ve been in the field since 2003 where I started out at child and family practicum sites through the city and county of Contra Costa. I learned about how adverse experiences and trauma impacts individuals and families in the short- and long-term.
The following two years, I practiced at La Familia Counseling in Hayward, CA and at Psychological Services where I met with a variety of individuals from a diverse array of backgrounds. I practiced culturally sensitive and humanistic therapy, as well as conducted psychological assessments.
Towards the end of my doctoral education, I came to focus on the mind-body connection and did my internship at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. I participated in three rotations: Psychological Consultation on the medical floors, Psychiatric Emergency Services and inpatient Psychiatric treatment. I learned how powerful the mind is and how it can (un)consciously impact the body in numerous ways. Even for chronic health and mental health conditions, I was witness and helper with bringing relief to individuals. Sometimes the relief came about in unexpected but beautiful ways.
I recognized that substance use is so prevalent in today's society. I wondered what causes this, how I can help and how this is often linked with economic, social and employment problems. To gain more experience with adults and young adults who felt like substances took over their lives, I worked at a non-profit called Progress Foundation located in San Francisco, CA. I was a counselor there and eventually became an Assistant Director at an Acute Diversion Unit (which diverted individuals who might normally need hospitalization to a residential program instead).
However, I completed my post-doctoral hours at RAMS, Inc, a non-profit known in the Bay Area for helping Asian American families and individuals. My location was at the Human Services Agency where I was a clinician for the welfare-to-work program. I conducted employability and disability assessments and provided short-term treatment to individuals returning to work. I ran harm reduction substance use groups there as well. Because I had a great deal of experience working with people with chronic pain/illness, I was asked to lead groups focused on managing pain/illness. The clients I worked with there never seized to stop amazing me with their dedication to bettering their lives and ongoing hope for a better future. I was only one person aiding this journey for them, but happy to do what I could.
In my practice I enjoy helping individuals in short and long-term therapies. I have taken my aforementioned experiences to inform my treatment focuses, including:
Anxiety
Depression
Cultural/Racial identity issues
Trauma
Relationship difficulties
Loss & Grief
ADHD/executive functioning challenges
Substance Use
Employment & Career problems
Chronic Health conditions
Treatment
Therapy starts with an initial, free phone consultation with me. We decide if we are a good fit to begin, and if so then I email you a couple of consent forms to review. During the intake I like to collect information about your relevant history, what you are coming to treatment for and what goals you would like to work on (as well as when you are hoping to end treatment). Psychotherapy and counseling are not a one-size fits all treatment. Thus, I pull from a variety of modalities to serve you as an individual, rather than prescribing a generic form of treatment. Some of the approaches I use include EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Psychodynamic therapy, Polyvagal Therapy and the list goes on... We will develop a treatment plan together and check-in about it regularly.
Fees
I am in-network with Aetna health insurance and accept Modern Health EAP benefits. I am comparable to other psychologists in the area for private pay options. I can provide you with what is called a ‘superbill’ so that you can seek reimbursement from your insurance company through your out-of-network benefits. Please check with your insurance company for further information. Generally, it takes 1-2 months to get reimbursed by most insurance companies.