Exploring Life & Business with Dr. Mona Kumar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Mona Kumar.

Hi Dr. Kumar, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My journey to becoming a therapist began as an undergraduate. I entered college with plans to pursue one of several subject areas that had been interests of mine in high school. However, I quickly discovered that they no longer felt like a good fit. The realization was both disorienting and confusing. If not biology or chemistry, then what? Maybe something in mathematics or the languages? But these too failed to arouse my passion. Meanwhile, I had begun to enroll in psychology electives. At first, these classes offered little in the way of direction. That was until I found myself in higher-level courses with smaller class sizes, more individual attention, and opportunities to pursue research topics that were of personal interest. That was when it started to click. Connecting with my classmates, getting personalized feedback from my TAs and professors, and being encouraged to delve deeper into phenomena that I was drawn to all combined to bring forth a sense of belonging. I had found my path. Coincidentally, these are some of the very qualities that make therapy what it is, discovering who you are through your connection with others.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
A difficult part of my professional journey was making the switch from research to clinical psychology. Having attended a college that prized itself on being research-oriented, psychology was largely relegated to the realm of scientific study and observation. Developing research questions, formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, and collecting data formed the bulk of what we were taught to do and value. When it came time to apply to graduate school, I was torn. I knew I liked psychology but not the kind that was conducted in a lab. I wanted something else but diverging from what I knew would take a leap of faith as there were very few mentors to guide me in a direction they themselves had not gone. I went ahead anyway and pursued my doctorate in clinical psychology which ultimately proved to be one of the best decisions of my professional life.

As you know, we’re big fans of Dr. Mona Kumar. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
There are many therapists out there and finding one that you fit with will help to get the experience off to a good start. One criterion to consider when looking for a therapist is their clinical orientation. There are several therapeutic orientations that a therapist might utilize in their work with clients. My approach is psychoanalytic which means that I work with the unconscious. While we all have a narrative about who we are and how we got that way, there are often underlying beliefs that we are not fully aware of and that interfere with the ability to live life on our terms. We develop patterns of relating with others, approaching life’s challenges, and viewing ourselves that are familiar but often limiting. Through the deep exploration and understanding that psychoanalytic therapy offers, clients are given the opportunity to discover more of who they are, embrace themselves fully, and engage in novel and rewarding ways with the world around them.

What matters most to you?
While I identify strongly with my professional role, in my personal life my priority is being a mother. Being a parent is both awe-inspiring and laden with responsibility. Children need their parents for everything. No part of their lives is untouched by the choices parents make on their behalf. Sometimes these choices require being more involved, sometimes less. Sometimes the best course of action is obvious, other times more nuanced. Self-monitoring, listening for feedback, and responding to cues are just a few of the myriad of skills parents must apply in their child-rearing practices. Given the lasting repercussions of early caregiving experiences, these choices must be made very carefully. As a therapist, I feel fortunate to have both my parenting instincts and professional expertise to reference. Of course, being a psychologist does not ensure that all decisions are good ones, but it certainly gives ample material to draw from.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drmonakumar.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DoctorMonaKumar
• Twitter: @DoctorMonakumar