Aparna Leena, MA

Specialty Areas - Individual therapy, EMDR, Anger Management, Anxiety, Peer Relationships, Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Trauma

About Aparna - I strive to create a warm, supportive space where you feel seen, understood, and comfortable sharing your experiences and story. As an immigrant from India, I understand how navigating mental health can feel complicated in cultures where there may be limited space to talk openly about emotions, as well as the challenges of feeling misunderstood when your experiences are viewed solely through a Western lens. I hope to offer a space where you can explore your experiences without feeling the need to explain or justify your identity.

I work with individuals ages 16 and older navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and the effects of social and systemic injustices. I am particularly passionate about making therapy more accessible to people of color and underrepresented communities. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, feel more connected to your experiences, and move toward a life that feels more authentic to who you are.

Therapeutic Approach - I draw from person-centered, multicultural, and narrative approaches to therapy, recognizing that our experiences, relationships, and identities are shaped by both our personal histories and the worlds we live in. I am particularly interested in exploring intergenerational trauma and how patterns passed down through generations can influence the way we understand ourselves, navigate relationships, and respond to the challenges we face.

Together, we can explore the patterns that may have developed as ways of navigating your early environment and consider how they continue to show up in your life today. My approach is collaborative and grounded in curiosity, compassion, and cultural humility. Rather than viewing these patterns as something that needs to be fixed, I hope to help you understand them with greater self-awareness and less judgment, creating space for new ways of relating to yourself and others that feel more aligned with your values, needs, and sense of identity.

Availability: In person in Edina and Virtual throughout Minnesota