Anupama Muralidharan (Intern Therapist)

Anupama Muralidharan (she/her) will be an intern therapist at The Center for Growth from May 11th, 2026, to May 10th, 2027. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University. She is available for therapy at Ocean City, NJ and at the Society Hill office in Philadelphia.

Approach to Therapy

I believe that the therapists office should be a place where clients feel genuinely heard. A space where they can voice their hopes, fears, and worries without judgment. At its core, the therapeutic relationship is built on the belief that every person possesses a unique set of strengths, flexibility, wisdom, and abilities that can be drawn upon during times of struggle. We navigate our lives based on what we have learned from our experiences and relationships, and we are shaped by many influences, including family, cultural norms, and socioeconomic realities.

My role as a counselor

Whether someone is working through a major life transition, struggling to navigate relationships, searching for meaning, or learning to cope with anxiety and stress, my intention is to be fully present with them. I aim to listen deeply, walk alongside them as they unpack their beliefs and perspectives, and support them in discovering the values that guide their lives. My hope is to help them move closer to living in alignment with their values. I see it as my responsibility to model calmness and to be as steady and dependable as possible. My role is to be patient and offer a safe space where my clients can work towards their goals at their own pace.

My philosophical approach to therapy aligns with existentialism, an approach that seeks to understand our experiences, our relationships, and our sense of self. It invites us to examine what it means to exist, to grapple with universal human concerns such as freedom, responsibility, meaning, death, and anxiety.

Interests and areas of focus

I am interested in working with clients who are undergoing life transitions including perinatal changes, parenting, divorce, ageing, menopausal changes, and with those experiencing grief and loss. When it comes to grief, my goal is to help individuals work through the feelings, thoughts, and memories associated with their loss in a way that is consistent with the individual’s personality, preferences, values, and goals.

I am also interested in working with couples seeking counseling. I view working with couples through the framework of Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) which focuses on understanding and using emotions to create lasting changes in relationships and personal well-being.

In today’s world, we face environmental shifts, political turmoil, economic instability, and the psychological impacts of spending considerable time on digital platforms. These pressures exist alongside the ordinary yet profound challenges of simply being human and moving through life’s stages, each filled with expectations and stressors. Within this context, I see my role as a responsible guide supporting those who seek help while also advocating for the vulnerable.

Background

Anupama currently lives in New Jersey but has moved around the country and has lived and worked in other parts of the world. Prior to pursuing the path to becoming a mental health counselor, she worked for nearly three decades in the technology space to provide software solutions to business problems. During this time, she developed qualities of patience, curiosity, and persistence.

She is passionate about community and our deep connection as human beings to the earth and space. When she is not working or studying, she loves to hike, run, paint, bake and play board games with her partner.