Rutuja Zawar, MS
pronouns: she|her|hers
Rutuja Zawar will join Collaborative Insight Counseling Associates as a pre-LMHC psychotherapist in September 2025.
Rutuja’s working style includes building genuine therapeutic relationships through unconditional positive affirmation, humor, and introspective conversations. She believes in holding a safe, non-judgmental space for the expression and acknowledgement of uncomfortable emotions; thoughts and feelings that perhaps are shameful for many to harbor. She recognizes how different environmental factors may induce anxiety, and is sensitive to her clients’ cultural identities while also challenging deep-rooted self-harming beliefs. Connecting with her clients’ strengths, Rutuja considers herself a catalyst in their journey of healing and growth. She strives her best to make it a highly meaningful experience that hopefully evolves into a deeper understanding of the self and others.
Rutuja’s approach to therapy is relational and goal-oriented. She also integrates mindfulness-based interventions for heightened mind-body connection, interactive techniques to develop communication and assertiveness skills, and existential dialogue that can help alleviate life transition related stress. With collaborative discussions throughout the therapeutic process, she tailors her approaches to best meet her clients’ needs.
““You are not alone. Conditioned to fit in, shame becomes a part of the being. Together, let us work on bringing that confident self into power who knows you belong the way you are.” ”
Prior to joining CICA, Rutuja worked at a community college where she supported adults with anxiety disorders, depression, interpersonal relationship complexities, substance use issues, self-identity development (including LGBTQ+ individuals), sexual health-wellness, and suicidal ideation. She is experienced in working with students across a wide-range of socio-economic diversity as well as international students. As a South Asian woman in the field of mental health, she recognizes the need for providers who can deeply empathize and work with immigrants and women of color.
Rutuja grew up in the lush green valley of Pune, in India. That is where she completed her BA in Psychology and realized her deep passion for counseling. It influenced her to pursue graduate studies at Northeastern University in Boston, where she has completed her Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology. As an immigrant student, not only does she connect with the identity crisis that may arise for multicultural individuals, but also the hesitancy and misconceptions surrounding mental health due to generational stigma. Her experience continues to motivate her in working with people who want to be heard and seen; those who are on this journey of finding self-compassion and eventually, self-love.
When not working, Rutuja loves reading, working out at the gym, and consuming media. As a trained Bharatnatyam dancer (a form of Indian classical dance), she enjoys attending dance workshops. She also loves chef-ing it up in the kitchen and rewards her hard work with iced lattes in cozy coffee shops across Boston, which inevitably make her dream of opening her own someday :)
NEW CLIENTS
RUTUJA IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS/REFERRALS FOR APPOINTMENTS AFTER SEPTEMBER 1ST
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Please click here to learn more about Rutuja on Psychology Today
EXISTING CLIENTS
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