Meet Spoorthi Aedma

Los Angeles Clinical Psychology Impact Fellow

As a first-generation South Asian woman, Spoorthi Aedma witnessed first-hand how stigma, cultural expectations, and systemic barriers can result in individuals and families not receiving necessary care.

Aedma earned her BA in Psychology, with double minors in Biology and Sociology, from the University of San Diego. During her undergraduate studies, Spoorthi served as a research assistant in the Racial Equity Marginalized Populations (REMP) Lab, where she completed and presented her senior thesis examining the Intergenerational Transmissions of Culture among First-Generation Undergraduate Women of Color.

This work deepened her commitment to research that centers and illuminates the lived experiences of underrepresented communities. In addition to her research, Aedma provided therapeutic support to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. These academic, research, and clinical experiences have guided her commitment to culturally responsive clinical practice and scholarly work. Further, her clinical experience as a behavioral interventionist reinforced her commitment to working with communities that lack access to culturally responsive mental health support.

Through her research on the intergenerational transmission of culture among first-generation undergraduate women of color, Aedma recognized a significant gap in the literature addressing the nuanced experiences of this population, leading her to

format her review of the literature to trace the themes shared by the participants and highlight their experiences. She hopes to continue building on this work throughout her doctoral training, including presenting at professional conferences and producing publicly accessible writing to bring the psychological experiences of first-generation and immigrant communities to broader audiences.

Across her academic, research, and professional experiences, Aedma has remained determined to cultivate spaces where individuals feel heard, understood, and uplifted to share their stories. “I hope to facilitate healing circles and community spaces where families can share their stories, ask for support, and engage with mental health care in ways that feel culturally meaningful and restorative,” she says.