Charu works hard to get along with her Indian mom so her children can have a relationship with their grandmother, but tensions around her parenting style remain. And therapist Salma Khan offers advice on preserving family bonds with estranged relatives while resisting the need to explain our boundaries.

Charu Kumarhia is a journalist, speaker and writer. You can learn more about her work here and here. 

Featured Expert: 

Salma Khan, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California, with a subspecialty in relationship counseling. Her client-centric approach to psychotherapy allows her to develop bespoke, individualized treatment plans that meet the specific needs of her clients. Salma's treatment methods include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused, mindfulness training, emotion focused training (EFT), corporate wellness, PTSD and NPD abuse, stress management, grief and loss, and life transitions. She has worked with individuals, couples, families and groups, and her clients have included those dealing with mental, emotional, and medical issues not limited to anxiety & depression, burnout (i.e., caregiver, corporate, pandemic related), grief/loss, relationship issues, addiction disorders, life transitions, and acculturation. Salma received her MSW from USC, and has spent her entire life living in and around Los Angeles. Growing up as a South Asian, (i.e., Indian), Salma was sheltered or rather restricted from disclosing and discussing all things Mental Health. Pain from trauma and abuses were expected to be silently endured by the victim, and unseen hurt from inconspicuous ailments like anxiety and depression was merely masked by symptoms like headaches, IBS, or aggressive rebellion. Stigmas and taboos have compelled Salma to pursue a life's passion and provide support, guidance and empowerment to others struggling to make sense of an invisible illness as we all attempt to break taboos, end archaic patterns, and begin to nurture growth and healing. Learn more about her work and private practice here.

If you loved this episode, listen to Mom Has to Teach Grandparents to Accept Her Son's Difference and Everyone's Asking "Are Your Pregnant Yet?"

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