Pavani Khera, Psy.D.

Dr. Pavani Khera (she/her) does individual and group therapy and has worked with diverse clients in the US and India.  Alongside her extensive experience and training in relational psychodynamic therapy, Dr. Khera also integrates somatic approaches to strengthen the mind-body connection. Her relational approach aims to help her clients identify and develop more adaptive patterns of relating to themselves and others. Dr. Khera’s work heavily draws from the idea that the therapeutic relationship plays an essential role in facilitating the healing process, which drives her to build deep, authentic connections with her clients.

Dr. Khera enjoys working with young and middle-aged adults from all backgrounds and identities. Previously, she has worked in varied settings including community mental health clinic, college counseling center, high schools, and psychiatric hospitals. As an immigrant in the US, she is especially passionate about empowering clients from marginalized backgrounds on challenges related to immigrants’ mental health, women’s issues, depressive and anxiety disorders, relational difficulties and trauma, stage of life transitions, and grief and loss. Dr. Khera’s approach across these areas is neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ affirming.

Dr. Khera holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from The George Washington University, as well as a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Christ University, India. She completed her doctoral internship in health service psychology at University of Virginia Counseling Center.

Outside of work, Dr. Khera enjoys yoga & meditation, dancing, and spending time in nature and with her pet cat. She is bilingual and fluent in English and Hindi.

Dr. Khera is an approved Psychology Associate in the District of Columbia and provides services under the supervision of Andrea Fisher, Psy.D., and Maria Zimmitti, Ph.D., and is independently licensed in VA and under PSYPACT.