Meet Ria Sarkar

Therapy, as I practice it, is more than a path toward addressing challenges—it is an invitation to discover the depths of your being and reclaim your wholeness. For those seeking transformation, therapy can be a journey of integration, a harmonization of mind, body, and spirit that reveals your innate capacity for healing. Drawing on techniques like Internal Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy, I help clients uncover the stories they hold within and gently guide them toward self-discovery and empowerment.

In addition to my work with trauma, identity, and healing, I bring experience supporting individuals involved in the justice system. As a forensic social worker, I have worked with court-involved individuals navigating complex legal and systemic challenges. Whether addressing the emotional impact of incarceration, supporting clients in processing trauma, or helping them reclaim agency within oppressive systems, I offer a compassionate and nonjudgmental space to foster healing and resilience.

As someone with a deep personal connection to the South Asian and LGBTQ+ communities, I am especially passionate about working with individuals from these backgrounds. I understand the layered complexities of navigating cultural expectations, identity, and belonging, and I bring a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed lens to support clients as they work through these intersections. Creating safe, affirming spaces for clients to explore their identities and address the unique challenges they face is central to my practice.

My therapeutic style is warm, direct, and intuitive. I weave education into the process, offering metaphors, analogies, and creative tools to make complex concepts accessible and relatable. Whether through a grounding visualization, a reframing of your narrative, or a playful reference to media, my work is designed to meet you where you are and empower you to step into where you want to be. At the heart of this practice is a belief: transformation is not just possible—it is already within you, waiting to unfold.

I’ve lived all across the United States, but Upstate New York is where I call home. As a workout enthusiast, I’m drawn to activities that enhance the mind-body connection, especially Pilates. Outside of work, I love spending time with my dogs, doing pottery, and diving into astrology—activities that keep me balanced and grounded.