OUR TEAM
ABOUT DR. KANWAR PAHWA, PH.D.
Dr. Pahwa is a licensed counseling psychologist with 7+ years of experience. Prior to that, she provided psychological services in India. Dr. Pahwa’s work is embedded in evidence-based interventions and interpersonal connection. She facilitates her client’s understanding of their concerns in the context of past experiences, attachment styles, and cognitive processes. Her therapeutic style is collaborative, with belief that clients own the inner resources to overcome their challenges, and with support in therapy they can implement ways to get unstuck from the cycle of negative thoughts and maladaptive behaviors.
Dr. Pahwa assists her clients in identifying unhealthy patterns, relationship dynamics and barriers to their goals. She helps find alternative ways of coping, identifying strengths and
developing skills that can be utilized lifelong. She believes in assisting her clients to function independently to cope with challenging emotions and relationship conflicts. Dr. Pahwa serves as an ally for her clients and provides gentle interpersonal feedback in the process of becoming their authentic selves. As an immigrant and a person of color, Dr. Pahwa is sensitive to the intersection of identities that contributes to client’s experiences and worldview. She conceptualizes her client’s problems from a multicultural and social justice lens. Dr. Pahwa is passionate to work with clients of diverse identities and immigration statuses.
Dr. Pahwa believes in having a work-life balance and loves to spend time with her husband, two children, family, and friends. She loves to learn about healthy lifestyle and making sustainable choices for the mother Earth. A recent passion of hers has been organic gardening and toxin-free living.
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Dr. Pahwa received her Bachelors of Arts from B.B.K. D.A.V. College for women, Masters of Psychology from Guru Nanak Dev University and Masters of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Clinical Psychology from Sri Ramachandra Medical College, in India. She then worked at Institute of Mental Health and Uppal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, with inpatient and outpatient psychiatric population ranging from toddlers to geriatrics. She received her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville followed by doctoral internship at the University of California, Irvine. She continued her work at the University of California, Irvine as a post-doctoral fellow and then as a senior staff psychologist.
Dr. Pahwa’s specializations include anxiety, depression, social anxiety, relationship concerns, stress management, adjustment problems, acculturation, self-esteem, life transitions, identity development, parenting and couples’ therapy. Dr. Pahwa’s has experience with children, adults and older adults in diverse clinical settings including, hospitals, residential treatment center and College Counseling Center. Dr. Pahwa thanks you for your interest and look forward to be a part of your life journey.
Dr. Pahwa is licensed by the Board of Psychology in the state of California and her license number is PSY28599.
EDUCATION
• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, India
• M.A. in Psychology, Guru Nanak Dev University, India
• B.A., B.B.K.D.A.V College for Women, India
SPECIALTIES
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Social Anxiety
• Relationship Difficulties
• Stress Management
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Anxiety
• Depression
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Emotion Regulation
• Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Relationship Difficulties
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
• Anxiety
• Depression
Exposure and Response Prevention
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Emotion Focused Therapy
• Couples
Motivational Interviewing
• Stages of Change and Goal Setting
CONTACT
Would you like to get in touch with Dr. Pahwa? Contact her at: admin@psychologicalhealing.net