Keri Gnanashanmugam, LSW
(Telehealth only)
I whole-heartedly believe that the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives. The scientific literature backs that up too. Strong human connection has been found to increase lifespan, strengthen the immune system, lower anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem, enhance empathy, and improve emotion regulation.
Take a second and ask yourself – is what I’m struggling with in one form or another related to someone else in my life? Am I struggling with my partner, dating life, friendships, family relationships, or work? If the answer is yes, we may be a good fit. I commonly work with individuals and couples on issues related to insecure attachment styles, codependency, managing conflict, self-containment and emotion regulation, communication, boundaries, self-esteem, trauma responses or toxic patterns, power and control, and getting on the same page with finances, in-laws, sex, division of labor, parenting or rekindling connection.
Relationships are complex. There are many factors that influence the dynamic beyond you and whoever else is involved. There are social, cultural, biological, psychological, and spiritual factors at play too. We will break it all down to identify what is yours – what you are bringing to the table – why you do it, where it came from, discern if it’s helpful or unhelpful, then work to change the unhelpful patterns/responses and align your actions, or your way of being, with your values, goals, and priorities.
I receive clinical supervision from Melanie Sivley, LCSW
“ We are all just walking each other home”
- Ram Dass
I’m a Louisiana-born, Texas-raised transplant who received a B.S. in Biology and Psychology and a M.S. in Microbiology from Sam Houston State University; and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston.
I work with both individuals and couples with complex trauma, relationships issues, and life adjustments. I have advanced training in EMDR, Gottman Method Couples Therapy (level 3), Relational Life Therapy (level 2), DBT, and I am IFS-informed.
My diverse educational background, professional experience and training, and previous career as a personal trainer and yoga instructor permit me to understand the interconnectedness of biological, psychological, and social determinants of mental health (and health), as well as the mind-body and food-mood influence. I am a social justice advocate, with a particular affinity for women’s rights and dismantling racism. Some of my intersecting identities include white, cis-hetero, mother to a human baby and furbaby in an interracial marriage who experienced 5 ACEs and was a first-generation, nontraditional college student.
