About Us
Who is Brown Man Therapy?
Licensed Psychotherapist Ankur Varma, LCPC has worked for over 10 years with little engagement from South Asian men in therapy. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, BMT emerged in response to the growing demand for therapy services and mental health resources within the South Asian community. Ankur and his wife and co-founder, Palak Sheth, spearheaded the organization's expansion, forging partnerships with local and national organizations to combat stigma, promote awareness, and build community connections. By advancing mental health awareness and support, Brown Man Therapy aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for South Asian men to thrive.
THERAPIST, CLINICAL SUPERVISOR, EDUCATOR, MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE
Ankur Varma, LCPC
Ankur Varma, LCPC has his Master’s of Counseling Psychology with a Specialization in Sport and Health Psychology from Adler University. For over 10 years, Ankur has worked in various leadership positions in community mental health and education to advocate for mental health services in Chicago and Illinois. Ankur is passionate about bringing a multicultural, person-centered approach to reach people who have previously been marginalized or carry stigma about their own wellness. Recently, Ankur’s @brownmantherapy page on Instagram has been on a mission to engage more men and normalize conversations about mental health in South Asian cultures.
PRIVACY POLICY DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, ADVOCATE
Palak Sheth
Palak Sheth has a decade plus career in legal and policy positions across the non-profit, local government, and tech sector. She is currently the Head of Privacy Policy for Instagram and Threads, where she counsels product teams to build privacy forward technologies.
Palak is also a life-long community leader and advocate. She founded Post March Salon (PMS), a social-political women’s group that meets “at the same time of the month” to inspire and sustain activism through sisterhood, political engagement, education, and community-based volunteering. Palak is also a community organizer, dance-enthusiast and Bollywood dance-fitness instructor. She co-founded Best of the Best National South Asian Dance Competition and is passionate about advocating for AAPI representation both in and outside of work environments.