Shivani Patel

Hello! I'm Shivani, a first-year student in the Master's Counseling Program at Cal Poly Humboldt. I earned my BS in Biological Sciences from UC Davis and bring a unique perspective as an immigrant from India who completed high school right here in Humboldt County (Eureka). I have a background in crisis counseling, where I provided empathetic, real-time support to people experiencing mental health crises. Additionally, I gained valuable experience working with homeless populations through a nonprofit organization, providing case management. These experiences taught me how to remain grounded and compassionate during moments of acute distress and showed me the profound impact that collaborative work and compassionate support can have on someone's journey toward stability. My areas of interest include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Internal Family Systems—modalities that honor the complexity of human experience while empowering clients to develop psychological flexibility and self-compassion. As I continue my training through coursework and supervised clinical practice, I'm committed to creating a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients feel truly heard and supported in their journey toward healing and growth. 

In my free time, I enjoy watering my plants, growing succulents, trying new cooking recipes, exercising, and spending time with my loved ones.