SJ Puthigai

Areas of Specialization

Certifications + Training

• Trauma-informed
• DBT [Dialectical Behavior Therapy] skills
• ACT [Acceptance Commitment Therapy] skills
• CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy] skills
• Psychodynamic Approaches

SJ is a counselor dedicated to creating a space where clients feel safe showing up honestly – even with the parts of themselves they may usually keep hidden. She is passionate about helping clients better understand themselves and recognizes that many people come to therapy carrying shame, self-criticism or pressure to “have it all together”. She values therapy that is both reflective and practical, creating space for insight and deeper understanding while also helping clients build tools they can use outside of sessions.

SJ has experience supporting individuals navigating anxiety, grief, relationship issues, identity exploration, life transitions, emotional overwhelm/uncertainty, and existential distress. SJ has worked in both higher levels of care and school-based settings, where she supported adolescents and adults through academic stress, interpersonal challenges, identity development, mood & personality disorders, and major life transitions.

Her approach is relational, trauma-informed, and rooted in the belief that our struggles don’t happen in a vacuum. She works with clients to better understand how their experiences, relationships, environments, and identities have shaped the ways they move through the world. SJ’s style is thoughtful, warm, and grounded in curiosity and compassion. She enjoys collaborating with clients in ways that feel supportive, empowering, and tailored to each individual.

She brings a strong commitment to culturally responsive and systems-aware care, recognizing how larger societal contexts shape personal experiences, beliefs, and identity development. She also incorporates psychoeducation and nervous system-informed approaches to help clients make sense of their emotional and cognitive experiences, particularly when they’ve spent years minimizing, questioning, or overlooking their own needs.

SJ earned her B.A. in Psychology from Indiana University Bloomington and her Master’s in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University, with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling.

Outside of therapy, SJ enjoys reading thriller novels, traveling with her family and friends, fashion, writing, and diving into creative projects—whether that’s organizing a space, working on a DIY project, or building a LEGO set (bonus points if it’s Harry Potter themed)!!

Supervised by Julie Burke LPC-S (Texas #76792)

*Please note: my licenses are filed under my legal name Sanjana Puthigai