A woman wearing a denim jacket and a colorful floral top stands in front of a rustic wooden background. She has medium-length dark hair pulled back, hoop earrings, and a necklace with interlocking circles.

Hi, I’m Rashmi Nayak

“Helping people find their way back to themselves is the greatest privilege of my work — and my life.”

Becoming a therapist wasn’t where I started — but it’s where I found myself.

I spent over a decade working as an engineer. It was challenging, it made sense on paper, but after a while, something inside me felt out of sync. I realized I was craving something deeper — real connection, real stories, real healing.

Psychology and the helping professions had always pulled at me, even when I wasn’t sure what to do with that pull. About ten years ago, I decided to listen to it. I took a leap, went back to school, and started a completely new chapter as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I did. Being able to hold space for people as they explore their inner worlds, find their footing, and take their own brave steps — it’s an incredible honor. And it’s work that feels like home to me.

My Approach

When we work together, we’ll start by getting curious about what’s brought you here — and what you’re hoping to find through therapy. I see every person as unique, which means there’s no fixed map we have to follow. Instead, I’ll tailor our work to what feels most helpful for you. Depending on your needs, I often weave together different approaches like CBT, solution-focused therapy, experiential work, mindfulness, emotionally focused therapy, and somatic practices like Somatic Experiencing.

As a South Asian American, I bring a multicultural, trauma-informed, and deeply empathetic lens to everything we do. My intention is always to meet you right where you are — with warmth, gentleness, and respect for your pace. Together, we’ll create space for healing, growth, and discovering what a more joyful and fulfilling life can look like for you.

If this feels like the kind of support you're looking for, I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey.

Education

  • Masters in Science (Electrical and Computer Engineering) - University of North Carolina (Charlotte)

  • Masters in Arts ( Marriage and Family Therapy) (Palo Alto University)

Credentials

  • EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship

  • Somatic Experiencing ( Beginner I, II, III)

  • Somatic Experiencing (Intermediate I, II, III)

Licensing

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist ( # 136705)

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor ( # 15859)

Affiliations

  • CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy)

  • SV-CAMFT ( Silicon Valley Chapter - California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy)