Sudha Purihella, LPC, CCTP

Our professionally trained staff believe in offering sincere, safe, hopeful and professional guidance supported by research and experience.
Our mission is to provide quality psychotherapy services to late teens, adults, couples and families to assist them in reaching their fullest potential and personal growth. Our staff specializes in offering Individual, Couples, Substance Use and Recovery Therapy to Individuals suffering from Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Substance use issues, Life transitions and co-occurring disorders. Our treatment is individualized and delivered with sensitivity, respect for diversity and individual needs. We do not believe in a “one size fits” all type of treatment.

Our staff is licensed and certified with a distinctive approach in Cognitive Behavioral, Didactic, Client-Centered, Humanistic, Individualized Realistic, Systemic, Solution-Focused, Family Systems and Psycho-Dynamic therapy approaches.

Sudha Purihella has two MA degree’s majoring in Psychology and Mental Health Counseling. She speaks fluent Telugu-South Indian language and understands Hindi. She has over 30 years of clinical experience in the field.

She has worked in Clinical and Management positions in a wide variety of outpatient mental health settings and several levels of residential care at Woodley House, Inc in Washington, D.C. The Psychosocial model in the Residential Rehabilitation Programs attracted her the most. She primarily worked with adults of all ages for a range of psychiatric and psychological issues in various levels of care namely- Crisis, Group homes, Independent living, Permanent group homes, and Assisted Living Facilities for Mentally Challenged Individuals from 1988 to 2004.

Due to her continued interest and passion for direct clinical services, she has entered the area of clinical private practice in 2004. In 2004, She established her solo private practice, Sahaya Therapy- Sahaya meaning "to be of Assistance" and now since 2019 converted to a group practice. Sahaya Therapy is proud to serve clients from various backgrounds and ethnicities.

She approaches treatment from an Individualized Strength-Based, Psycho-social Evidence-based approach to treat Anxiety Disorders and Mood Disorders. I choose treatment modalities in collaboration with the client based on the symptomatology and primarily lean towards Eclectic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psycho-dynamic, Humanistic, Solution-Focused, Life Coaching, Existential and Reality Therapy. She is very intuitive, caring culturally sensitive and demonstrates a skilled ability to empathize and build a positive alliance with her clients. She works collaboratively with her clients’ inner chaotic nature and empowers growth as well as self-efficacy.