Smrithi Ram (she/they)

Founder

As a first-generation Tamil American, my journey has been shaped by a profound exploration of identity, trauma recovery, and cultural understanding.

With a BA in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati and an MSc. in Mental Health from Queen Mary University of London, my professional trajectory spans over seven years in the fields of violence intervention, mental health, and trauma recovery. Throughout this time, I've provided direct mental health support and advocacy to individuals of diverse backgrounds and ages, while also facilitating over 400 hours of training to promote skill development in therapists, advocates, and service providers.

My journey began against the backdrop of navigating life between two cultures, as the eldest daughter of immigrants from Tamil Nadu, India. Like many children of immigrants, I grappled with the challenge of assimilation and reconciling my bi-cultural identity. There was a huge cultural barrier between my parents and I, causing misunderstanding, frustration, and disharmony in the home. Both sides lacked the tools, knowledge, and communication skills to figure out how to work together as a team to sail through this new cultural journey. Naturally, this took a toll on the mental health of everyone involved, resulting in additional challenges. These struggles underscored the critical need for open communication and cultural competence in navigating familial dynamics.

In addition to these cultural hurdles, I also faced the trauma of sexual abuse during my childhood. Raised in an environment where conversations about boundaries, consent, safety and sex were rarely had, I lacked the necessary tools to recognize and address the abuse I endured. As a protective trauma response, my memories were repressed. During my teenage years, I struggled with depression, anxiety, anger issues, and other trauma symptoms but was unable to identify the catalyst. This resulted in further disconnection from my family and friends, interpersonal conflicts, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

It wasn't until my adult years, during my Master's program in Mental Health, that I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Choosing to explore the topic of childhood incest abuse for my dissertation shed light on my own experiences, unlocking repressed memories and providing clarity to years of mental health struggles. This newfound understanding ignited a profound sense of purpose within me, solidifying my commitment to creating safe spaces and interpersonal understanding. 

Today, through Dayaa Healing, I wish to: 

• Equip parents and caregivers of first-generation children with the tools and skills to form closer connections, promote understanding, and increase harmony in the home

• Guide bi-cultural individuals through identity formation, emotional resilience, and interpersonal conflicts

• Educate community members about sexual violence, intimate partner violence, the impact of trauma, and mental health & wellness

• Support the healing and growth of my clients