About Dr. Ekta Kumar
Experienced, Licensed, and Compassionate
I’m Dr. Ekta Kumar (she/her), a licensed clinical psychologist and dedicated advocate for mental health and equity. My work is rooted in creating affirming spaces for individuals navigating intersections of identity, trauma, and systemic challenges.
With over a decade of experience, I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals, as well as those processing trauma. I have been honored to work with many individuals from the larger South Asian diaspora and feel passionate about providing culturally-informed care.
My approach is integrative and compassionate, drawing on evidence-based practices like interpersonal therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). I provide gender-affirming care and provide letters for surgery. Overall, each therapy session is tailored to meet your specific needs, values, and goals.
Positionality
As a South Asian, able-bodied, first-generation immigrant, heterosexual, cisgender female, and mother, my lived experiences shape the empathy and understanding I bring to my work. I am fluent in Hindi, understand Punjabi, and am happy to provide sessions in Hindi for those who prefer it. My background and values inform my commitment to providing inclusive, affirming care.
Inclusive Mental Healthcare
I’m also deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Currently, I have a separate role where I am the Senior Director of DEIB in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), where I’ve helped lead initiatives to create systemic change.
I’ve also worked as a Director of CARE-SC at USC, a department focused on supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. I’ve also been the Director of Community Counseling Clinics at California Lutheran University (CLU) serving low-income and under-insured families. In this role, I also was able to help shape the training experience for CLU students studying to be therapists and psychologists. These clinics provided important community therapy services.