Bridges Therapy and Wellness Center

I previously left a shorter review, but I wanted to provide more detail here. My experience with Jasleen Parihar was negative due to her repeated use of morally judgmental language and a hierarchical approach to therapy that felt dismissive rather than supportive. She often sided with authority and rigid moral judgments over empathy. At one point she told me: “I’m the adult in this conversation, I’m supposed to facilitate the conversation. You’re being disrespectful.” This reinforced a power dynamic instead of fostering collaboration. Therapy should be a two‑way street, but she framed it as a hierarchy. When I asked her to repeat something, she responded harshly: “I literally just said it,” which felt invalidating. She often justified her tone with phrases like “I’m not trying to…” rather than taking responsibility for how her words impacted me. When I didn’t look at her while she spoke, she accused me of wasting her time and yelled “wasting.” When I accidentally talked over her, she said sarcastically, “You talked over me, thank you very much.” She pressured me to answer questions I didn’t feel comfortable with, and even defended a teacher who had treated me badly. That teacher used controlling, demeaning language that made me feel subordinate and powerless, yet Jasleen justified his actions and admired his “arrogant and dominant vibe” instead of acknowledging the harm he caused. These interactions left me feeling judged and silenced rather than safe and understood. I consistently left sessions feeling criticized instead of supported, which is the opposite of what therapy should provide. Beyond that, I also had a negative experience with Ahmed Jahangeer, a psychiatrist at this clinic. In 2023, I was struggling with school attendance — not out of defiance, but because school felt overwhelming. Over time, I gained perspective and now attend regularly. However, Ahmed treated my struggle as misbehavior, telling my mother that my not going to school was me “misbehaving.” This framing felt dismissive and punitive rather than empathetic or supportive. Instead of recognizing my challenges and growth, he labeled me negatively, which undermined trust and made me feel judged. In January 2024, I emailed Ahmed to tell him directly that I felt he was abusive in his approach. Instead of acknowledging my concerns, he told my mother that my email was “something along the lines of I hate him.” This misrepresented my words, minimized the seriousness of my complaint, and undermined my attempt to express how his behavior impacted me. My experience with Tracey Palmer was mixed. In person, she was professional and kind, and I appreciated that. However, in her written documentation of my autism evaluation, she described me as exhibiting “incorrect behavior like sending teachers threatening emails.” This felt flattening and misrepresentative of my experience. The emails I sent as a younger student were confrontational reactions to mistreatment, but they were not intended as threats. Her wording erased the context and intent, leaving me feeling misunderstood. Overall, my experiences at this clinic left me feeling judged, misrepresented, and unsupported. Instead of fostering trust and empathy, the approaches I encountered often reinforced hierarchy, dismissal, or mischaracterization.

My therapist is lovely! I wasn’t initially sure as we are two very, very different people but she is a pro, knows how to ask the right questions, and is otherwise kind and caring. I can only imagine everyone else at this practice is as qualified if my therapist chooses to be here

The experience at BT&WC was transformative. The atmosphere immediately felt safe and non-judgmental. I'm relieved to have found guidance and real-life strategies for managing my needs that have made a huge difference in daily life. I highly recommend Dr. Strause and the Bridges staff.

I’ve finally found someone I trust, makes me feel comfortable and just all around better about myself. This was long overdue! Thank you Bridges!!!!!

As a therapist in private practice in NOVA, Bridges Therapy and Wellness is always on the top of my referral list. They possess a wide variety of expertise, from children to adults. I've even referred personal friends. I trust their work.

As a therapist in Northern VA, I can’t say enough positive things about Bridges. Many clients that I have referred to them have been thrilled with the level of care and expertise they receive from this practice.