Hi, I’m Jahnavi Polumahanti, a psychotherapist (MHC-LP) in New York City. I work with adults navigating anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, relationship challenges and cultural and family expectations. My goal is to create a compassionate, collaborative space where you can begin to meet yourself with greater honesty, care, and self-acceptance.
Specialties & Who I Work With
I specialize in supporting people who are:
- Coping with anxiety, shame, or self-criticism
- Healing from trauma, abuse, or intergenerational stress
- Navigating cultural identity, family expectations and belonging
- Working through relationship patterns and attachment wounds
- Managing depression, bipolar disorder, substance use and life transitions
Anxiety, Shame & Self-Criticism
Many of my clients struggle with anxiety that shows up as overthinking, rumination, or self-criticism. These patterns can feel exhausting and isolating, often reinforced by perfectionism or the pressure to meet others’ expectations. In therapy, we slow down together to trace the roots of these cycles and challenge unhelpful narratives. I integrate practical tools such as grounding exercises, emotion regulation skills and cognitive reframing, helping clients move from constant self-monitoring toward greater calm, resilience and self-compassion.
Trauma & Intergenerational Stress
I work with people carrying the impact of trauma both from lived experiences and from intergenerational or cultural dynamics. These histories often shape how clients view themselves, their bodies and their relationships. My approach integrates somatic awareness, relational processing, and Narrative Therapy, creating space to name and release what has been carried for too long. Together, we work toward healing that honors both individual resilience and the broader cultural context of your story.
Relationships, Attachment & Boundaries
So many of my clients feel stuck in repeating relational patterns, whether that’s difficulty setting boundaries, fear of abandonment, or getting caught between closeness and distance. These dynamics often trace back to early attachment experiences and cultural or familial narratives. In our work, I help clients identify and shift these patterns through relational exploration, boundary-setting practice, and communication skills. This process allows them to cultivate relationships that feel healthier, safer, and more aligned with their needs, while still honoring cultural values.
Identity, Culture & Belonging
As a South Asian immigrant, I deeply understand the complexities of navigating multiple identities and cultural expectations. I often work with clients who feel caught between honoring family traditions and pursuing their own path, or who are grappling with shame tied to cultural narratives around gender roles, mental health, or achievement. Therapy becomes a space to unpack these pressures, affirm the parts of your identity that feel true to you, and cultivate a stronger sense of belonging, both within yourself and in your relationships through the use of narrative and strength-based approaches.
Therapy Approach
My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and culturally affirming. I integrate psychodynamic and attachment-based frameworks with CBT, DBT, and Narrative Therapy. A central focus of my work is helping clients process emotions, not just talking about feelings, but slowing down enough to notice, name, and experience them safely. I also draw on somatic awareness, exploring how emotions and trauma are held in the body, so that healing can happen both cognitively and experientially.
Alongside insight-building, I emphasize practical skills such as emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and boundary-setting, supporting you in feeling more grounded and resourced in daily life. Above all, I view therapy as a collaborative process. We’ll move at your pace, creating a space of trust where you can deconstruct unhelpful narratives, explore relational patterns, and cultivate new, compassionate ways of being with yourself and others.
Background & Training
I earned my Ed.M. in Mental Health Counseling and M.A. in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. I have worked in a community clinic supporting survivors of trauma and abuse, immigrants, BIPOC communities and individuals navigating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, co-occurring substance use and relational challenges. These experiences have shaped my deep commitment to providing inclusive and culturally affirming care.
Location & Availability
I see clients in person at our Midtown Manhattan office near Grand Central, and virtually across New York State. I accept Aetna insurance, offer sliding scale options, and provide superbills for other plans. Sessions are available on Mondays and Wednesdays.