MEET OUR THERAPIST
Tushi Patel, LSW
Therapy for Identity, Anxiety & Life Transitions in Illinois & Michigan
Relational, culturally attuned therapy for adults navigating identity, anxiety, belonging, and life transitions.
Adults
Illinois & Michigan · Virtual Sessions
Aetna Illinois · Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois · Private Pay Available
Accepting New Clients
Areas of Focus
Cultural & Intergenerational Trauma
Identity, Belonging & Life Transitions
Relationship Dynamics & Communication
Family Expectations & Cultural Pressures
Approach
I believe meaningful therapy begins with the relationship we build together. My goal is to walk alongside you as a fellow traveler, creating a space that allows for honest exploration and growth.
My style is relational, trauma-responsive, and person-centered.
We build trust and safety together; healing happens in connection
You are the expert of your own story, and our work is tailored to you
Our work honors both insight and practicality, guided by your pace and values
I don't believe you have to relive every painful experience to heal, nor will I push you before you're ready. At the same time, I won't sugarcoat difficult truths or underestimate your ability to face them. My goal is to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, recognize patterns, and feel more able to ask for what you need.
I integrate mindfulness, narrative therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment theory, Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). These approaches are tools I draw from based on your needs rather than a formula I apply to everyone.
Culturally Grounded Care
As a first-generation South Asian American and eldest daughter of immigrants, I understand the tension of family expectations, responsibility, belonging, and figuring out how to honor where you come from while becoming who you want to be.
These lived experiences shape how I show up in therapy. I believe culture and context matter, and that therapy does not happen in a vacuum. Our families, cultures, communities, identities, and broader social and political realities can shape how we experience stress, safety, belonging, the choices available to us, and even what we believe is possible for our lives. These things deserve space in the therapy room rather than being treated as separate from the work.
And sometimes, that context matters most when we're trying to understand the relationships that matter to us. For many of us, relationships are complicated. You can love your family and still feel hurt by them. You can understand where someone's behavior comes from and still acknowledge its impact on you. You can want greater independence without wanting to lose connection. Therapy does not have to force you to choose one truth over another.
My work makes space for these complexities while honoring your values, lived experiences, and intersecting identities. I won't assume there is one “right” way to heal, set boundaries, navigate family, or move through a life transition. Together, we can explore what is happening within you and the systems and relationships around you.
I especially enjoy working with South Asian, BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and first- or second-generation clients, including teens, adults, and couples seeking connection, balance, support navigating the everyday experiences that come with being human.
Who I Work With
I work with individuals 16+ and couples navigating:
Relationships, dating, and communication
Family dynamics and cultural expectations
Identity and belonging
People-pleasing, boundaries, and self-advocacy
Grief and life transitions
Career uncertainty and identity shifts
Anxiety, depression, ADHD, burnout, and feeling stuck
Recurring patterns and questions about what they actually want from their lives
Whether you're working through something specific or simply trying to better understand yourself, therapy can be a space to slow down, notice what is happening, and consider what comes next.
RELATIONAL THERAPY, ROOTED IN YOU
Ready To Begin?
Whether you're navigating identity questions, cultural expectations, anxiety, grief, burnout, or a season of transition, therapy can offer a space for reflection, healing, and growth.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about working with a therapist at Sohail Counseling & Care.