My name is Gitika Talwar (pronounced Ithaca with a G; she/they pronouns) and I am a settler from India who now rests, serves and plays on Duwamish land, commonly known as Seattle. If my personal background can offer some helpful insights, here’s a bit about me: I typically share that I am a Cisgender South Asian woman (Punjabi, Indian), first-generation immigrant / settler from India and I'm sensitive to the impact of caste, race, gender, sexuality, disability, and immigration status. I come from a family of freedom fighters who fought the British occupation of India. Questioning colonialism (and my own complicity in it) remains a lifelong practice. I'm fluent in English, Hindi, and Urdu, and I have a basic understanding of Marathi and Punjabi. I’d also like to add what the wise elder, Sister Clear Grace Dayananda once said about their identities, “I am all of this, I am none of this.”

My Approach to Therapy

My approach to therapy is rooted in connection, care, and respect for the fullness of who you are. I hold the values of being personalized, attentive, affirming, and passionate about mental health close to my heart, and they shape the way I sit with each person.

Personalized:
You can expect an experience as unique as you. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. Every client brings their own history, culture, and story into the room, and I see my role as creating a space that meets you where you are. I weave together a range of therapeutic approaches—CBT, Narrative, DBT, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Feedback-Informed Care, and more—as well as body-based and contemplative practices. I am learning more about the psychodynamic orientation and neurodivergence-affirming care so I can provide greater depth to my work with you. I strive to balance your needs and my understanding so I can provide the right amount of flexibility to honor your needs and adapt the work to what feels supportive for you.

Attentive:
You can expect to feel seen and heard. To me, therapy is not just about techniques—it’s about presence. I listen closely, not only to your words but to the unspoken feelings, silences, and body cues that hold meaning. My attention extends beyond sessions too: I reflect deeply on our work together and continuously seek to grow in my understanding. You can expect me to be fully with you in the room, grounded in care and curiosity. Outside the room you can expect that I continue to learn more so I continue to grow as a therapist.

Affirming:
You can expect a space where you feel safe, seen, and respected in your wholeness. My work is informed by a deep sensitivity to how caste, race, gender, sexuality, disability, immigration status, and spirituality shape our lived experiences. I approach therapy through a decolonial and liberatory lens, striving to honor both the psychological and spiritual dimensions of life. You don’t need to leave any part of yourself outside the therapy room—your story, your identity, and your truth are welcome.

Passionate about Mental Health:
You can expect to learn how to care about your mental health in ways that makes the hard times better and makes the good times last. Mental health is not just my profession—it is my calling. I’ve been on this path as a therapy client, a psychotherapist, and a community advocate. I am passionate about making therapy not only a space of healing but also of empowerment, where we can explore trauma, resilience, belonging, and purpose. For me, therapy is not about “fixing” but about reconnecting—with yourself, your values, your body, and your spirit.

Clients often tell me that they feel safe and seen in our work together. My role is not to define what mental health should mean for you, but to walk alongside you as your own truth emerges. Healing is deeply personal, and I believe it unfolds most powerfully when we honor both the pain and the possibility within you.

If you are looking for therapy that feels both grounded and expansive—one that respects the complexity of your identity and honors your inner wisdom—I welcome you to reach out. Together, we can create a path that feels alive, affirming, and deeply your own.

Contact me to schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call and see if we’re a good fit!