Today we’d like to introduce you to Shreya Bhandari.
Hi Shreya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Bombay (Mumbai), India in a middle-class family. Education and its importance was instilled in me and my older sister from a very young age. I was, however, always looking for doing something unique and exciting that did not fit in the ‘box’. During my undergraduate education, while my peers were preparing for their chartered accountant exams (similar to CPA in the US), I started volunteering for a street kids’ organization. That exposed and finally opened up the doors to the world of social work. I was told by my uncle about an entrance exam to study social work in Mumbai. I jumped at that information and fortunately cracked the entrance exam and therefore got the opportunity to do my master’s in social work after my undergraduate education in commerce. While I struggled initially since this was a big change for me (from commerce to social work), I had an innate liking for the profession of social work. My first job as a counselor in a hospital-based crisis center for women facing domestic violence in Mumbai introduced me to the world of research along with practice. I, therefore, decided to pursue doctoral education in the US in social work with researchers working in the area of domestic violence.
It was 2005, but not yet widely acceptable for a single woman to go to the US for further studies. However, my parents supported my decision and encouraged me to pursue this endeavor. Here I am, 17 years later, a social work educator, researcher, and practitioner, continuously trying to grow and learn in my journey.
Other than directing the social work program at Purdue University Northwest and teaching, I am also an avid researcher. My work for the past decade has primarily been in the area of domestic violence in the South Asian community in the US.
My most recent work is a book on South Asians in the US: A guide for social workers and other helping professionals with NASW press (https://naswpress.org/product/53670/south-asians-in-the-united-states).
I also see clients for mental health therapy and have my own private practice Tasalli (pronounced as thu-su-ll-ee) Counseling.
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?
In my journey as a single woman pursuing doctorate education in the US, I did face homesickness, lack of connection, and social support for some time. However, as time passed, I built my own community of friends and colleagues that participated with me in my beautiful journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Tasalli Counseling offers culturally sensitive mental health therapy to individuals 16 and older in the state of Ohio. I recognize that each individual has had unique life experiences and is on their own healing journey. I am here to hold a positive and non-judgmental space to provide you with reassurance and comfort to help you process your feelings and emotions.
Contact Info:
- Website: tasalli.us
- Instagram: tasalli2100
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KEzyAqy3g4&t=1036s
