Aparna Sagaram, LMFT

Aparna Sagaram (she/her) is a South Asian licensed marriage and family therapist and founder and owner of Space to Reflect. She specializes in couples therapy and works with couples who come from different backgrounds, interracial couples, and couples with difficult family dynamics. She supports couples contemplating separation, making big decisions, or couples who want to communicate better. She also specializes in working with children of immigrants and other minority populations, helping them learn to navigate issues related to identity, inner child, culture, and processing major life changes.

Aparna’s warm and welcoming personality makes her clients feel safe very quickly. Aparna walks alongside her clients on their healing journeys, reminding them how far they’ve come when life gets tough. Her approach is client-centered, and she helps clients make sense of what often feels like chaos.

Aparna is able to see clients virtually and in person residing in Pennsylvania.

A conversation with Aparna

What made you want to become a therapist?

My mother was a social worker in India but her Masters Degree obtained from India did not allow her to provide therapy in the United States. I spent a lot of my childhood volunteering at various organizations from going to nursing homes to keep the senior citizens company to playing with kids at safe homes while their mothers figured out next steps for safety. I watched my mom create safe spaces for people and it was powerful. As I got older, I wanted to make a deeper impact on people. I love being able to help people learn about themselves. It is hard work and it takes a lot of patience but it is so worth it. My favorite type of therapy is couples therapy. I enjoy learning about how relationships develop and how people interact with each other. We work hard to find new ways to connect that feel good for the couple and learn to let go of the ones that no longer serve them. Every day I am with clients, I learn about myself too.

What do you do when you are not working?

I like to hike with my husband and dogs, Otis and Cricket! I like to try new recipes but mostly dessert recipes. I enjoy running and lifting weights because I am that person that will bring all the groceries into the house in one trip and that requires strength.

What is important to you when working with clients?

Making my clients feel comfortable in session is most important to me. A professor once told me that building a solid relationship with your client is an intervention itself and can be incredibly healing.