Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Keck School of Medicine of USC
Ekta Kumar, PsyD received her master’s and doctorate from the University of Indianapolis. Kumar completed her APA-internship at USC’s Counseling and Mental Health and her post-doctorate fellowship from Loyola University Maryland. Her professional interests include multicultural psychology, identity development, college mental health, trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Kumar is passionate about providing an affirming therapeutic space for individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, underrepresented backgrounds, and clients of color. She utilizes a multiculturally and trauma-informed approach in working with clients and pulls upon interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment, and dialectical behavior therapy to provide a tailored approach for each client.
She is fluent in Hindi and is the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. Ekta also serves as a Student Equity and Inclusion Program (SEIP) embedded counselor at the USC Health Sciences Campus. In addition, she provides gender-affirming letters for surgery.
She would tell her younger self, “Create a life of balance and ensure that you’re growing academically, but also personally. Figure out what you value and make sure your life reflects all of those values.”
Kumar’s pronouns are she, her and hers.