Abhinav Kotaru, Clinical Intern

(He/Him)

Therapy for teens and young adults navigating identity, purpose, cultural stress, and life transitions

I work with adolescents and young adults—particularly BIPOC clients—who are navigating questions of identity, belonging, purpose, and personal growth. Many of the people I support are managing cultural stressors, perfectionism, neurodivergence, compulsive behaviors, or the challenges that come with feeling different, disconnected, or unsure of where they fit in the world.

Specialties:

Cultural and racial identities
First generation American
Anxiety and overthinking
Mood disorders

What to Expect

In our first session, you can expect an empathic welcome and genuine curiosity about who you are. Whether you’d like to talk about your current struggles, your life story, or what matters most to you, we’ll begin building a foundation that feels safe, collaborative, and meaningful.

My approach is flexible. Some clients benefit from a more open-ended space for exploration, while others prefer more structure and guidance. As therapy progresses, we’ll adapt based on your needs, goals, and where you are in the process. Between sessions, I may encourage journaling, self-reflection, or other practices that help you stay connected to your growth.

We Might Be a Good Fit If You Feel:

“I feel aimless or without purpose.”

“I don’t feel welcome in this world.”

“Stuck between who I’ve been, who others expect me to be, and who I want to become.”

A Little About Me

I believe people aren’t broken—the ways we think, feel, and respond to the world are shaped by our experiences, relationships, and environments. My role is to help you better understand those influences so you can move through life with greater clarity, self-compassion, and purpose.

My work draws from psychodynamic, behavioral, and anti-oppressive approaches. I have experience supporting neurodivergent youth and adolescents as a former Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), and I am currently completing my Master’s in Counseling at Northwestern University. As a South Asian child of immigrants, I bring personal and professional understanding to conversations around identity, culture, belonging, and systemic barriers.

Outside of therapy, I enjoy discovering new music, trying different foods, and reading philosophy. One book I often recommend is The Autobiography of Malcolm X for its powerful exploration of meaning, transformation, and self-discovery.

If you’re ready to explore who you are, reconnect with what matters most, and create a life that feels more meaningful and authentic, I’d be honored to work with you.

Schedule a Session