About Me
While I could tell you who I am, I first want to show you who I am to those that know me best. Thus, I asked my daughter to draw me and I think the result is rather profound. Like you, I am a mix of colors, shapes, and squiggly lines still trying to figure themselves out and allowing the result to be wonderfully imperfect. As a first generation Malayali Indian American woman, I value the intersection of ethnicity, religion, gender and the other nuances of my lived experience which cultivates a richness in my life.
However, it can get messy. I understand the difficulty of constantly traveling amongst different worlds. Ultimately, I have always been amazed at how mental health is at the crossroads of identity and have dedicated my life towards supporting others on their journey.
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Questions I Hope To Support You With:
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How can I stop my thoughts from getting in my way?
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Can I learn to accept myself more fully and trust my decisions?
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How do I navigate parenting, caregiving, or aging?
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How can I manage family dynamics in a healthy way?
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Who am I really-outside of what others expect from me?
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How do I know if I could benefit from medication for my mental health condition?
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How do I work on mood and anxiety related symptoms that are interfering with my life?
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Can you help me manage ADHD, anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder with medication?
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What are the risks and benefits of starting/being maintained on psychiatric medication?
My Philosophy
I tend to approach my work with three general assumptions: (1) People are generally doing their best with the tools that they have, (2) Recognizing patterns in our behavior help us understand the roots and how to make sustainable change, (3) People can and will change when they understand their own behavior, are seen, heard, and empowered.
I like to approach mental health holistically which can include both psychotherapy and medication management. Therapy can be vital in understanding and taking responsibility for our choices and areas of growth, making appropriate changes to live more engaged and meaningful lives, and reflecting on values. My main modality is psychodynamic psychotherapy though I also utilize CBT, DBT, interpersonal therapy, and IFS modalities as well. In addition, I value medication management as a powerful tool in treatment that can help in symptom reduction, optimize well being, and live a more balanced life. This can be especially important when individuals are dealing with mood or anxiety disorders.
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I support adults across all backgrounds and have experience working with emerging adults making choices about next steps, individuals struggling to find balance between work and family life, and older folks thinking of next steps. I welcome working with individuals with salient religious identities. I understand that each individual brings their own unique life story and that mental health treatment should be tailored to those needs.
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Education/Work Experience
Attending, Outpatient Psychiatrist
St. Vincent’s Hospital, Harrison
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Psychoanalytic Fellowship
New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute
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Chief Resident
Bronx Psychiatric Center
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Adult Psychiatric Residency
Montefiore Medical Center
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Doctor of Medicine
Albany Medical College
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Bachelor of Science
Siena College, emphasis in humanities, ethics, and social service
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New Rochelle High School (Go Huguenots!)
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Awards
Award for Excellence in Family Oriented Care on behalf of the Association of Family Psychiatrists
Leo M Davidoff Society Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Medical Students
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James M. Bell Award in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on behalf of Albany Medical College
Publications & Presentations
2. Ali Kalam, Marlee Madora, Michelle Prakash, Meghana Medavaram. ““I’m giving birth!” The neuropsychiatric presentation of a patient with Bartonella infection”. Poster presentation at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, May 22nd, 2022 New Orleans, LA.