We were lucky to catch up with Surbhi Vyas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Surbhi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Starting my own virtual mental health practice was a decision rooted in both personal experience and a deep desire to make a meaningful impact in a community that has long been underserved in mental health care. As a South Asian woman and daughter of immigrants, I experienced firsthand the stigma surrounding mental health in our community. Growing up, mental health was not discussed openly, and seeking therapy was often seen as a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of. This reality was one of the driving forces behind my decision to start a practice that focuses on providing culturally responsive therapy to South Asians, especially children of immigrants, who often face similar challenges but may lack the resources to navigate mental health support in a way that resonates with their cultural experiences.

Key Steps:
Identifying the Need: From my own experiences and those of others in my community, I realized how crucial it was to create a space where individuals could receive mental health care that respected and understood their cultural background. Immigrants and children of immigrants often carry unique burdens, from intergenerational trauma to the struggle of balancing traditional family values with the pressures of assimilating into a new culture. I knew that creating a practice that specialized in addressing these challenges was something I was deeply passionate about.

Building a Virtual Practice: In the beginning, setting up a virtual practice was both a challenge and an opportunity. The pandemic had already pushed many services online, and I realized that a virtual practice would allow me to reach clients in different regions and provide the flexibility many individuals, especially those with tight schedules or in underserved areas, needed. I quickly became familiar with telehealth platforms, insurance processes, and the nuances of virtual care, all while ensuring the practice maintained a personal, welcoming atmosphere.

Overcoming Self-Doubt and Betting on Myself: Becoming a new mom of two children under two at the time was both a beautiful and intense chapter in my life. I won’t lie—it was scary to start my own practice while navigating the demands of motherhood. But, in many ways, becoming a mother gave me the confidence to believe in myself. I learned to trust my intuition, juggle competing priorities, and handle pressure in ways I hadn’t before. My family, especially my parents, who were immigrants themselves, provided the unwavering support and belief I needed to pursue this dream. Their sacrifices and their own stories of resilience gave me the courage to bet on myself, even when the road seemed uncertain.

Creating a Culturally Responsive Practice: The next step was creating a practice that would not only offer quality care but also be truly reflective of my clients’ lived experiences. Being the eldest daughter of three, I always felt a responsibility to be a voice for others—whether it was advocating for my siblings or standing up for what was right within my community. I wanted to take that same advocacy and translate it into therapy, ensuring my clients felt seen, heard, and understood in a way that honored their cultural identities.

Networking and Building Trust: As a new private practice owner, gaining trust in a field where people were often hesitant to seek help in the first place was no small feat. Building relationships with other mental health professionals who shared similar values was critical. Word of mouth, online presence, and establishing strong community connections helped get the practice off the ground. I focused on showing up authentically and sharing my own story, which helped break down some of the barriers to starting the conversation about mental health in our community.

Key Challenges:
Navigating the Stigma Around Mental Health: One of the biggest challenges I faced was pushing against the stigma in my own community. It was hard to convince people to consider therapy when they had grown up with the belief that mental health struggles should be kept private. But as I built my practice, I realized that providing culturally sensitive care made a huge difference. The more clients I worked with, the more I saw the healing that happened when they felt they were in a space where their cultural values were respected and understood.

Balancing Motherhood and Building a Business: Being a new mom while simultaneously trying to establish a business was an overwhelming experience. It required me to be more organized and disciplined with my time than I had ever been before. It was a constant balancing act, and there were many days where I felt like I was stretched thin. But with support from my family and the determination to make this practice successful, I learned to make time for what mattered most and found a rhythm that worked.

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Like many entrepreneurs, there were moments of doubt. I questioned whether I was doing the right thing, especially when I faced setbacks or when growth felt slow. But having faith in my mission—helping immigrants and children of immigrants receive the mental health support they deserved—kept me going. I had to remind myself that this work was bigger than my fears.

What I Would Do Differently:
Looking back, I would have probably invested more time in connecting with mentors earlier on—individuals who could offer guidance specific to the mental health field and running a private practice. There were some bumps along the way that could have been avoided with the right advice or resources. Additionally, while I was driven by passion, I think I could have been a bit more strategic in terms of scaling the practice and managing client flow as it grew. Establishing more clear systems and processes early on would have made that growth smoother.

Advice for Young Professionals:
Trust Your Journey: If you’re considering starting your own practice, know that it won’t be easy, but if you’re driven by a strong sense of purpose, it will be incredibly rewarding. Trust your unique experience—whether it’s your background, cultural identity, or life journey—because these are the things that will set you apart and allow you to make a real impact.

Lean Into Your Community: The immigrant community often lacks access to culturally competent mental health care, but it’s also a community that is incredibly resilient. Building relationships, showing up authentically, and speaking to the unique struggles of this community will help you establish a practice that resonates with those you want to help.

Embrace the Fear: Starting something on your own will always come with a healthy dose of fear and self-doubt. But, as I learned, that fear is often a sign that you’re on the right path. Embrace it, learn from it, and use it as fuel to push forward.

Seek Support: Whether it’s from family, friends, or mentors, surrounding yourself with people who believe in you is essential. As the eldest daughter of immigrant parents, I saw firsthand the power of family support, and it’s something that helped me stay grounded through the difficult moments.

Starting my practice was a leap of faith, but it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. It’s been a journey of growth, resilience, and, above all, the belief that when we show up as our authentic selves—especially as children of immigrants—there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As the eldest daughter in an immigrant family, I grew up watching my parents work tirelessly, saving every penny and instilling in me a deep understanding of the value of a dollar. Despite their strong educational backgrounds, financial security always felt fragile, and a scarcity mindset shaped much of our upbringing. My parents had an arranged marriage, and I often observed moments of disagreement—small but impactful—that were never truly addressed. One day, tensions would be high, and the next, it was as if nothing had happened. This emotional dissonance confused me and sparked my lifelong curiosity: Why do people behave the way they do? Why do we struggle to understand one another? And why is it so hard to truly communicate and connect, even with those we love most?

After earning my undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and Sports Studies with a minor in Psychology, I found myself at a crossroads. I had originally planned to go to dental school but realized it wouldn’t bring me happiness. I also knew I didn’t want to pursue physical therapy or athletic training, leaving me unsure of my next steps. In the meantime, I took a job as a secretary at my old high school, where I was clearly overqualified, but the experience unexpectedly changed my life. I formed deep connections with the students and staff, particularly the school counselors—a career path I hadn’t even realized existed. Inspired by their work, I pursued a graduate degree in school counseling, which set me on a path I truly loved.

During grad school, one of my professors mentioned that by taking about 60 additional credits, I could earn a Master’s in Clinical Counseling or Counseling Psychology, ultimately allowing me to become a licensed psychotherapist. That idea resonated with me even more, and I knew I had found my calling. For years, I worked as a school counselor by day (7 AM – 3 PM) and as a therapist in a group practice by night (4 PM – 9 PM), often not getting home until 10:30 PM. That was my reality for years—until I became a mother.

Motherhood shifted my perspective on work, balance, and what I wanted for my future. I grappled with intense mom guilt while also trying to establish myself in the mental health field. Eventually, I realized that starting my own private practice might be the silver lining I had been searching for—a space where I could achieve financial independence, career fulfillment, and the flexibility to be the mother I wanted to be.

Now, as the founder of Healing Lotus Mental Health, I specialize in working with South Asian clients navigating bicultural identity, intergenerational expectations, and the weight of societal norms. I help my clients break free from externally imposed narratives—whether from family, culture, or society—so they can define what truly matters to them. Many struggle with guilt and shame when prioritizing their own needs, having been conditioned to always put others first. I help them reframe self-care as essential rather than selfish, so they can show up as their best selves for those they love.

Beyond my private practice, I am deeply committed to community work, education, and advocacy in the mental health field:
    •    Vice President of the New Jersey Association of Women Therapists, where I help lead peer consultation groups, networking events, presentations, and workshops to support fellow therapists in their professional growth.
    •    Education Committee Member for South Asian Americans for Change, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that uses the arts to destigmatize mental health in the South Asian community.
    •    Advisor for Healthy Body Healthy Mind, a New Jersey nonprofit focused on making mental health resources more accessible to the community.
    •    Mentor to virtual interns interested in pursuing careers in mental health counseling, offering them exposure to case consultation, therapeutic theories, and private practice operations.
    •    Presenter for group practices and organizations, providing training on cultural competency and clinical considerations when working with South Asian clients.
    •    Panelist and speaker on South Asian mental health, regularly participating in panels, workshops, and Instagram Lives to make mental health knowledge more accessible and provide quality referrals to those seeking culturally competent care.
    •    Co-founder of BIPOC Therapist Networking Events in New York and New Jersey, aimed at fostering collaboration, resource-sharing, and better referral networks for marginalized communities.

What sets my work apart is my deep understanding of the push and pull between collectivism and individuality, especially for daughters of immigrants who have been raised to be the “good daughter” yet yearn for self-identity. I am most proud of creating a safe, culturally affirming space for South Asians to explore their identity, heal from past wounds, and redefine their lives—not based on what “looks good” to society, but based on what genuinely fulfills them.

Through therapy, workshops, advocacy, and community-building, my mission is to normalize conversations about mental health, challenge stigma, and help people reclaim their narratives. For anyone seeking therapy that acknowledges both cultural nuances and personal struggles, my work is here to support that journey.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Growing up, I was taught that you keep things to yourself. There was no reason to share personal struggles with others—because what would they think? What would they say? Vulnerability was seen as a sign of weakness, something that could be used against you. I internalized the belief that strength meant endurance, silence, and self-reliance, even when things felt heavy.

But over time, I realized that this mindset wasn’t serving me—it was isolating me. I saw how unspoken pain lingered in my family, how unresolved tensions were swept under the rug, only to resurface in other ways. I began to understand that vulnerability is not a weakness—it is a profound strength. When we allow ourselves to acknowledge and express what’s truly on our minds, we give ourselves the opportunity to heal.

This is why I do the work that I do today. Whether someone’s trauma is big or small, if it weighs on them, it matters. We are allowed to be curious about our experiences, to seek understanding, and to process the things that don’t sit well with us. There is nothing wrong with being vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with going to therapy. It doesn’t mean you are broken. It means you are willing to understand yourself better, to make sense of your interactions, your emotions, and your past.

Unlearning the idea that vulnerability is a weakness has been one of the most liberating lessons of my life. It has allowed me to show up more authentically—for myself, for my loved ones, and for my clients.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

One of the most important qualities for a therapist—beyond training and knowledge—is curiosity. It’s essential to recognize that you don’t and won’t know everything. Staying curious not only keeps you engaged and invigorated but also fuels your ability to learn from others—your clients, colleagues, and the ever-evolving field of mental health. Curiosity recharges your battery, allowing you to actively listen, absorb new perspectives, and practice empathy without imposing your own values onto clients.

Success in this field also requires a strong professional network. No therapist works in isolation—having quality referrals is key to ensuring clients receive the best possible care, whether that means connecting them with another provider who specializes in their needs or collaborating with peers to enhance your own clinical approach. Building relationships with professionals who work with different populations and those who share your niche allows for growth, learning, and support.

In 2025, succeeding as a therapist also means adapting to the changing landscape of mental health care. The rise of virtual therapy, increased focus on culturally competent care, and the destigmatization of mental health in various communities all require therapists to stay informed, flexible, and open-minded. Additionally, prioritizing self-care and boundaries is essential—we can’t show up fully for our clients if we’re constantly running on empty.

Ultimately, being an effective therapist isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you show up, how you continue to learn, and how you cultivate a community that fosters growth for both you and your clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.healinglotusmentalhealth.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healing_lotus_mental_health?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/surbhi-alaigh-vyas-ma-lpc-ncc-acs-7648482a