Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Neha Darji. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Neha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

As a daughter of Indian Immigrant parents, early on the message was given to me to create a life of success, stability and success. In our culture, the careers that are valued are prestigious, provide financial lucrative and lead to living the “American dream” painting the picture of success. The hard work and sacrifice to create a life in this country was something that many children of immigrants feel responsible for giving back. Following the expected path feels safe and accepting. When I realized in college that I didn’t want to become an eye doctor, I felt lost and confused on how I would pick a path that would make my community feel proud. During college, I struggled with my mental health trying to find where I fit in, what I was interested in and where I belonged. I realized that due to mental health stigma, I had not talked to anyone about it but just continued to push through and focus on what I needed to do, but I struggled with my courses in science and did not enjoy them. I had been drawn towards community and social work with at-risk youth in Chicago during college that when I realized I wanted to study counseling and psychology. I wanted to help break mental health stigma and help them see the power of prioritizing our relationship with ourselves, our identities and our values. Fast forward, I took a big risk by forming a mental health and wellness practice entirely for South/East Asian and minority women. My goal is to break mental health stigma in the marginalized communities and provide safe places where women can be seen for their unique identities.

Neha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a second generation South Asian growing up in the United States, I saw first hand the mental health stigma that existed in our community. I tried very hard to fit in the American culture but also was very exposed to the Indian culture. Education was a main focus growing up and the messages in the community was to work hard to be educated to obtain a financially lucrative and prestigious career as a doctor, lawyer or engineer. I tried to fit into many boxes but found myself not fitting into any. It wasn’t until my junior year of college where through my community work in parts of inner city Chicago as a student at Loyola University, that I found a passion for psychology, counseling and social services. I was able to connect my experiences and relate to them as well. Thereafter, navigating various life transitions my passion became to open up a practice that fully focused on breaking stigma in minority commutes, healing intergarnational trauma and raising awareness on mental health stigma in the community I grew up in (South Asian Community). That’s when I founded We Rise Therapy and Wellness. I’m proud to say that our practice entirely consists of clinicians identifying as a person of color or as 1st or 2nd generation. Our practice is able to first hand help out clients navigate cultural pressures, challenges and differences, the duality of identity and ways to help advocate for themselves. We provide individual telehealth therapy as well as group therapy, workshops and in person community events. We are also a strong advocate in the community and have sponsored and supported various local organizations who also are working towards a shared vision and goal. At this time, we provide services to individuals residing in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and hope to expand to other states at some time. We value evidence based care through a highly trauma informed and cultural lens. Recently, I was also able to launch my speaking and consulting practice where I work with organizations and corporations on the topics of cultural humility, working with the 1st and 2nd generation BIPOC population as well as developing a trauma informed workplace. I am passionate about women’s leadership skills and how women can navigate balancing cultural expectations and leadership and how imposter syndrome may hold them back in leadership.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I hired my first clinician in my practice a few weeks before I delivered my first baby, my son. I remember at that time thinking it would be too much, too overwhelming and too much newness for me to navigate. With the support and encouragement from my partner, and taking risks, I was then able to expand my practice to a team of 6 clinicians all while having 2 babies, navigating a big move, experiencing the mental health challenges of the perinatal and postpartum journey. I had to pivot a lot, change processes, implement new strategies and operations and everything in my life felt completely unstable and out of control at some points. The juggle at times became unmanageable. I didn’t have a business or marketing background and I felt I was carrying too much weight and pressure. On top of being an effective and sound therapist for my clients I was managing a business, kids and a home. I learned to let go of my need to “do it all” and prove to myself and others that I was strong and independent. This was my perfectionism and unhealed parts of myself that were getting in the way. With the help of coaching and support I leaned on delegating more tasks personally and professionally, hiring admin and virtual assistants, implementing SEO and marketing strategies and taking the support of family and friends. That was the only way I was able to grow my business and I hope to continue to learn and grow. I would say it’s important to seek out support and community. No business owner is able to do this alone.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I feel it’s important to find your therapist identity. Authenticity shines more than ever when you are building therapist and client relationships. It’s important to find a niche and topic that you are passionate about because ive learned that if you’re speaking to everybody, you’re speaking to nobody. What clinical issues have you experienced or are drawn to? What types of clients drain you versus feeling a sense of reward and impact? Burnout rates are high in the mental health field, especially after COVID. It’s important to feel passionate about the work. Something else I’ve learned is to diversity your income. Relying on therapy sessions only can lead to burnout and managing a group practice can feel more like a passion project at times due to the ongoing challenges and varying profit margins. Mental Health experts are needed more than ever as a we deal with a mental health crisis as a nation. I’ve been lucky to have a lot of professional support to help me seek more opportunities for speaking and consulting. Getting out of your comfort zone can feel risky but it’s worth it. A lot of therapists are comfortable staying in the therapy room doing 1:1 work but there is so much more opportunity for impact if you’re willing to go for it!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://werisetherapyandwellness.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/werisetherapy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/werisetherapy/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nehadarji
• Other: thrivewithneha.com