I'm a married father of five children. I converted to the Catholic faith in 2003 "ish" (it was a 4 year process), after discovering for myself the healing power in the Church. I consequently retired from being a self-employed contractor to become a therapist. This enabled me to share this gift of healing I had discovered for myself with others. I have been blessed with an extensive understanding of Catholic teaching, and apologetic's, especially related to enableing the power of the sacraments to assist in psychological healing often over looked by Catholics.

Hi there! Fr. Chandra Sekhar Potnuru is my name. Fr. Dominic Savio is what I go by as a priest. I was born in India, a country known for its diverse cultures. I grew up in Catholic but religiously diverse faith with a younger brother and two sisters. I frequented the local non-Catholic Christian church, because the Catholic parish was so far distant from my home. I keep in close contact with my family in India, now with six nephews and a niece. Growing up, I was exposed to a variety of cultures, languages, traditions, and peculiarities. I have visited nine countries, and have been blessed to have a love for all regardless of color, creed or sexual choices. When I first started hearing confessions as a young priest in 2006, I quickly recognized that I lacked the knowledge and skills to help people live joyful lives. After many hours of prayer, I pursued further education for therapy. I have two master's degrees: Counseling Psychology, and Marriage & Family Therapy; I am currently pursuing a doctorate in psychology. I'm integrating "Salesian Spirituality" – a down-to-earth and heart-centered spirituality – with modern therapeutic abilities and approaches. I base my therapy on St. Francis De Sales' exhortation "Live Jesus." I am a kind, empathetic, and non-judgmental therapist. Why overcomplicate things? I have come to accompany you on your journey.

I am a married father of four and a lifelong Catholic whose journey has been shaped by faith, family, and a desire to accompany others toward healing. In my early adulthood, I spent time discerning the priesthood and lived in seminary formation in Maryland. That experience deepened my understanding of prayer, the interior life, and the dignity of the human person. Although I ultimately discerned a vocation to marriage, the spiritual grounding and anthropological clarity from that time continues to guide my work as a therapist today. When I returned to California, I completed my B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Religious Studies, which strengthened my interest in how worldview, meaning, and identity shape the human experience. I later earned two Master’s degrees in Psychology, one of which includes integrated Catholic theological formation, giving me a unique foundation to approach mental health through both clinical insight and a sacramental worldview. Professional Background In my clinical work, I have served children, adolescents, adults, and families from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and life experiences. I have worked with individuals facing depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, family conflict, identity concerns, and spiritual distress. Across all of these contexts, my purpose has remained consistent: to help others rediscover hope, restore their sense of dignity, and know that healing is possible. Before entering clinical practice, I served for several years in ministry and community outreach, including restorative justice work with the Archdiocese of San Francisco, where I accompanied incarcerated individuals and their families. I later served in leadership and training roles with St. Vincent de Paul and other community organizations, supporting mental health education, volunteer formation, and culturally-informed care. These experiences have shaped my belief that every person is more than their wounds, and that healing happens most deeply in the context of relationship, compassion, and truth. Therapeutic Approach I work from a relational and psychodynamic orientation, integrating: Attachment and family-of-origin insights Mindfulness and emotional regulation Solution-Focused and brief therapy strategies Trauma-informed awareness and grounding techniques For clients who desire it, I also incorporate: Catholic spiritual practices Interior reflection and discernment Understanding of grace and sacramental life I welcome clients of all backgrounds and am bilingual in English and Spanish. Mission My mission is simple: to walk with people toward interior freedom, peace, and restored hope. I believe that healing is not only possible — it is something God actively desires for every person. My role is to come alongside the individual in their journey and help them discover what has always been true: They are loved. They are seen. They are capable of wholeness.