Tracy Vadakumchery

Growing up South Asian in America can be challenging, especially if you are first- or second-generation. Our parents came here envisioning a better life for our families. There is a push-and-pull of wanting to fulfill our parents’ wishes for us, and our own desire of wanting to go off the beaten path. Maybe our culture’s definition of “success” makes you feel worried or anxious that you’re living up to the expectations. Or, you might feel sad or down because choosing “the right path” isn’t what you thought it would be. It is also possible that you were “different” from the rest of your cousins and other Desi-American children your age. Growing up, you chose to march to the beat of your own drummer, or you might have been labeled the “black sheep” of the family. Or, you might feel “left out” of our community because you’re not culturally “enough”, or because of your sexual identity. You may feel lonely, rejected, or feel unworthy of love and acceptance.

Tracy LMHC | The "Bad Indian" Therapist is a South Asian American, straight, cisgender therapist who is passionate about challenging Desi/South Asian beliefs about mental health, race, and healthy relationships. She helps South Asian Americans conquer cultural shame and guilt as a result of trauma in their communities. Tracy has been no stranger to these issues herself. She has been directly and indirectly called "Bad Indian Girl" many times in her life, and has now embraced her complicated identity.

Through boundary-setting, trauma work, and role-plays, Tracy has helped many South Asian Americans become their most authentic, unapologetic selves, decrease self-doubt, and find inner peace. There is no such thing as being "too Brown" or "not Brown enough". Tracy encourages radical self acceptance and being "bad" together.