Vaishnavi Paudel (they/she)

I’m a pre-licensed therapist, editorial makeup artist, and eldest child of Indian immigrants committed to supporting healing from systemic oppression and trauma. As a queer, non-binary, and neurodivergent person of color, my intersecting identities and experiences inform who I am and how I approach therapy. My primary focus is therapeutic work with LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and first-generation adults looking to process complex trauma, navigate life transitions, and embrace personal growth. Informed by the therapeutic approaches like internal family systems (IFS), I take a stance grounded in non-judgmental curiosity and collaboration, with the hope of co-creating a space where you feel safe to witness, understand, and accept all parts of yourself. I strive to meet you wherever you are at in your journey and support your growth in ways that feel right for you.

I graduated from Northwestern University with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling and am currently working to obtain licensure as a professional counselor.

Questions? vaishnavi@forrealtherapy.com

INTERVIEW BIO WITH Vaishnavi Paudel

How would you describe the way that you approach therapy?

My therapeutic approach is rooted in the belief that we are born whole, expansive, and capable of healing. Guided by warmth, compassion, and authenticity, I hope to create a space where you feel witnessed and affirmed as your whole self — individual experiences, cultural context, and all. My goal is to support your process of exploring and connecting with every part of you — even the difficult parts that hold shame, pain, and vulnerability. I integrate elements of somatic, psychodynamic, and relational interventions to meet your unique needs, and frequently ask for feedback so that you feel empowered to guide the course of therapy every step of the way. 

What communities do you feel like you would have the most impact working with?

I think I have the most impact working with QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) who share aspects of my identities and experiences. It can be healing and corrective for clients to share a therapeutic relationship with a clinician who shares a similar cultural background, so I hope to generate more of these spaces in the future. As a South Asian child of immigrants, I am especially interested in working with South Asians and first/second generation immigrants.

How do your identities of being an editorial makeup artist and therapist merge?

It’s funny you ask this question because I think a lot of people assume that my work as a makeup artist and therapist are completely unrelated. I personally see these aspects of my identity as being deeply interconnected. With both makeup and therapy, I’m able to channel creativity to  support my clients’ journeys of self-discovery and radical self-expression. Both allow clients to explore who they are and how they feel in a moment, so that they can show up as the most authentic versions of themselves. I also view makeup and therapy as acts of resistance against societal norms, binaries, and expectations. 

How do you show up for yourself?

I show up for myself by making time and space for things that restore my energy and bring me joy. At times, that means scheduling time off from work or dedicating a weekend to rest. Other times, it might look like rock climbing, going to therapy, reading tarot, writing, doing makeup, treating myself to takeout, or cuddling with my cat. I’ve also advocated for myself by setting boundaries that support a (somewhat) healthy work-school-life balance. 

What’s your universal piece of advice?

Give yourself permission to do exactly what you need, in this moment and in every moment.