Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

Hi Readers! My name is Dipti Patel. I was born in India and moved to the United States when I was two. I grew up in Watonga, Oklahoma, a small rural town where my family was the only South Asian family in the community. Growing up in that environment meant navigating questions of identity and belonging from an early age, which sparked a deep curiosity about people, resilience, and emotional well-being.

I later moved to Boston for college and graduate school, where living in a large and diverse city expanded my worldview in ways I hadn’t experienced before. It deepened my understanding of how culture, family systems, and environment shape mental health.

Today I live and work in Houston, Texas, where I run my private practice, Black Lotus Therapies. Experiencing such different places—from rural Oklahoma to major metropolitan cities—has shaped both my perspective and the way I connect with people in my work as a therapist.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

After living in Boston for several years, one of the things I truly appreciate about Houston is the warmth—both in the weather and in the everyday lifestyle. Boston was an incredible place to study and grow, but the long winters were definitely an adjustment for me. Moving to Houston meant returning to sunshine, warmer weather, and a pace of life that felt a little more relaxed.

I also really love the food scene here. Houston has such a wide range of cuisines and cultural influences, which reflects how diverse the city is. It’s one of those places where you can experience flavors and traditions from all over the world in one city, and that diversity makes living here feel vibrant and energizing.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

I started Black Lotus Therapies to create a space where people could explore their mental health in a culturally informed and supportive way. I work with clients from all backgrounds, with a focus on South Asians navigating identity, family expectations, life transitions, and the pressures of balancing multiple cultural worlds.

Many people hesitate to seek therapy because they worry they’ll be misunderstood or told to abandon important cultural values. My approach is the opposite: helping clients build lives that feel authentic and sustainable, while thoughtfully navigating family and cultural expectations.

The name Black Lotus reflects this philosophy. Like a lotus rising through murky water, therapy is about growth and resilience—moving forward with intention while staying rooted in who you are. My goal is to create a space where clients feel seen, understood, and empowered to define their own path.

If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?

Starting a business is both exciting and challenging, and one of the most important things I’ve learned is to stay connected to your “why.” When your work is grounded in something meaningful, it helps you stay motivated through the inevitable ups and downs. At the same time, building a business requires practical action and a lot of patience. Focus on small, consistent steps rather than trying to do everything at once. Seek guidance from mentors or peers whose values resonate with yours—sometimes a single conversation can shift your perspective or inspire your next step.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

One piece of feedback that has stayed with me came from a client who told me I was a “cool therapist.” It might sound cheesy, but to me it meant a lot. I don’t usually think of myself as trendy or “cool,” yet hearing that showed me that I had created a space where someone felt genuinely comfortable, accepted, and connected. Moments like that are a reminder of why I do this work. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers—it’s about holding space in a way that helps people feel seen, understood, and safe enough to explore who they are.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I hope to continue growing Black Lotus Therapies so it can reach people in all kinds of spaces—whether it’s the small-town girl in rural Oklahoma who really could have used someone to talk to, or the college student in Massachusetts feeling lost and under pressure to figure everything out.

In the future, I also see opportunities to blend therapy with other wellness practices, like yoga, which I’m currently in training to teach. Integrating movement, breath, and mindfulness alongside talk therapy feels like a natural extension of supporting people’s mental and emotional well-being. Ultimately, I want Black Lotus to be a space where anyone, no matter where they come from or what they’re facing, can find connection, guidance, and tools to move forward with intention.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions about therapy is that it’s only for people in crisis, or that therapists have all the answers. In reality, therapy is for anyone who wants to better understand themselves, navigate life transitions, or develop healthier ways of coping.

Therapists are human too—we don’t know better, we know different. Our role is to offer perspective, support, and tools, while learning and growing alongside our clients. And yes—we do laugh in therapy. Humor, shared moments of lightness, and genuine connection are all part of the work.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles was fear—something many people might not want to admit, but it was very real for me. I worried about stepping out on my own: What if I fail? What will my parents think? I was supposed to be a doctor.

Those fears were tied not only to uncertainty but also to cultural expectations and the weight of wanting to do the “right thing.” Over time, I realized that fear doesn’t have to stop me—it can coexist with growth. I learned to take small steps, trust my own voice, and focus on the meaningful impact I wanted to make rather than perfection or approval. Facing that fear ultimately gave me the courage to build a practice that feels authentic and aligned with my values.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to my parents, for doing the best they knew how; my older sisters, for letting me be a kid (even at my big age); and the teachers and professors who saw potential in me before I could see it myself.

I’m also grateful to my therapist, who consistently provided a safe space for me to show up exactly as I am; my friends who became family along the way; and, importantly, my clients for trusting me to do this work with them. Every one of these people has shaped who I am and the work I do today.

Where can our readers follow your work or learn more about your upcoming projects?

Readers can learn more about Black Lotus Therapies on my website (www.blacklotustherapies.com), where I share information about my practice, services, and how to get started. I also offer free consultation calls for anyone curious about therapy or wanting to see if the space feels right for them. My hope is that anyone who reaches out feels seen, heard, and encouraged to take the next step toward support and growth.