We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alisha Uppal. Check out our conversation below.
Alisha, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
As a therapist, one of the quiet struggles I often see in my work with clients is loneliness. Despite our highly connected world, people can still feel incredibly isolated. Our individualistic work-centered ideals don’t really help the situation. We feel we either don’t have the time to connect with others or that we don’t deserve to take care of our own needs. I often find that when clients come to therapy, it’s the first time they’ve had a space to be truly honest about these feelings without worrying about being judged or misunderstood. In my work, I help people reconnect with themselves, which allows them to build more authentic and fulfilling relationships with others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and the founder of Helia Therapy LLC. I work with individuals and couples in the Greater Atlanta Area. My goal with Helia Therapy is to empower people to build self-compassion and break free from the pressures of perfectionism and self-criticism. I specialize in helping individuals and couples navigate anxiety, life transitions, and relationship challenges.
Like many therapists, I practice from an evidence-based perspective and incorporate cognitive strategies with mindfulness and self-compassion practices. It’s not just about changing your thoughts; it’s about shifting your relationship with how you think about yourself and the world. I also work with clients from diverse backgrounds in exploring issues like acculturation and intergenerational differences. This is a meaningful aspect of my practice, as I believe that a culturally sensitive approach is foundational to the work that therapists do. My passion for this work is deeply personal, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see clients rebuild their relationship with themselves and find strength they didn’t know they had.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds between people are often broken by a slow, subtle decline in intentionality and genuine communication. We often think of it as a single or intense event, like an affair, but in reality the cracks in the relationship usually precede the larger events. People stop making the effort to truly see and hear one another, and resentment can build in that space.
What repairs these bonds is also intentionality – it’s effort, vulnerability, and a renewed commitment to open communication and friendship. The Gottman Method, which I use with my clients, is a great framework for couples and relationship work. It focuses on both the foundations of the relationship and the challenges. This doesn’t mean always agreeing with each other about everything or avoiding conflict, but it does mean creating a safe space to be honest, listen with compassion, and work together. My role is to help people rediscover their connection, rekindle their friendship, and deepen their shared goals in life.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say “trust that you are resilient enough to handle a tough decision.” During some challenging times in my life, when I had a lot on my plate, even the smallest decision felt paralyzing.
When we’re anxious and overwhelmed, the paralysis we feel comes from a deep fear that we’ll make the wrong choice and not be able to “handle it.” So I would tell myself that it’s important to trust in our capacity to cope with whatever comes next. The path forward isn’t about finding the perfect answer, but about moving ahead with compassion. It’s about knowing that you have the strength to adapt to any outcome and will ultimately grow from your experiences, even the mistakes or the hard times. This is the essence of resilience, and it’s what I work to cultivate every day.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A value that is foundational for me is honoring multiple cultural identities. I’ve personally navigated the tension between my cultural heritage and the expectations of a culture other than my own. This experience has taught me that my well-being doesn’t depend on adapting to one culture over another, but on finding a way to integrate them.
This value is at the core of my therapeutic work. My role is to create a space where every client, regardless of their background, can explore the different parts of their cultural, familial, and personal identities without having to abandon any one of them. I honor my clients’ right to define their own unique path and find a sense of balance between the different worlds they inhabit.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
Knowing your professional limits is a foundational part of being an ethical and effective therapist. If I’m out of my depth and haven’t done anything about it, then I’m not helping my clients. This is why I always engage in self-reflection and professional consultation, making sure I understand the limits of my scope of practice. This could be when the therapeutic process plateaus or a client’s needs fall outside of my expertise.
Being out of my depth is not a sign of failure, but a clear signal that it is time to empower my client to take their next step. It sounds hard to believe, but I do think that my job is to work myself out of a job. My hope for my clients is that one day, they don’t need me anymore. It’s about putting the client’s needs above all else, even if it means connecting them with a professional who can better help them on their journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heliatherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heliatherapyatl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heliatherapy
- Other: https://www.heliatherapy.com/blog
