CHAI is composed of volunteers who are concerned about the mental health and wellness in the South Asian community. Our volunteers are diverse in experience, ethnicity, age and professions. CHAI members listed in the resource section of this website are mental health professionals such as Clinical Social Workers, School Counselors, Psychiatrists, and Professional Counselors. The CHAI Board members and Executive Director are listed below.
Razia Kosi, LCSW - C, Executive Director
Founder of Counselors Helping (South) Asians/ Indians, Inc. (CHAI) a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and the South Asian community about mental health and wellness issues and conducting cultural proficiency workshops with mental health professional. CHAI provides referrals to the South Asian community in search of therapists sensitive to the needs of South Asians. CHAI has also created two resource books to help the community understand issues about mental health and wellness. Ms. Kosi contributed several articles and edited the resource books. The books have been translated into Urdu and will be translated into Bengali, Hindi and Tamil. Ms. Kosi also created a model for Women’s Wellness groups that builds on the strengths of women while finding commonalities in themes of living between two cultures. Ms. Kosi has over a decade of experience in individual, family counseling and group therapy. She currently works in the Howard County public school system as a resource school mental health therapist. Her previous workshops have focused on the following subjects: strategies for school related behavior problems, healthy youth development, post 9/11 mental health issues, culture shock, cultural diversity, issues of poverty, anger management and cultural competence with the Muslim and the South Asian communities.
Ashok Batra, Esq., MSW
Practicing law in private practice since 1999 specializing in neglect and abuse, immigration, and business law. Has also worked as a probation officer and supervisory probation officer for the superior court of Washington, DC. Experience in lecturing, teaching, and community organizations such as the Indian Cultural Coordination Committee, Association of Indians in America, and Indian American Political Affairs Committee.
Chetana Bhat, LGPC
Chetana Bhat has a master’s degree in Clinical Community Counseling. Her professional experience includes providing mental health and career counseling for individuals and groups in various settings.
Babette R. Bierman, LCSW - C
Work experience includes 17 years as a Technical Assistant and Mental Health Consultant for Friends of the Family and 30 years of private practice for children, adolescents, and adults. Non profit work for Pro Bono Counseling Project, North Baltimore Mental Health Center, Florence Crittenton Services, NASW Maryland Board.
Mark Borchardt, CPA, CMA, CFM
20 years experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, cash management, technology, and consulting. Has served on Heartlands Board in addition to CHAI board.
Swaran Dhawan, LCSW - C, Board Chair
Former director of Social Work at Taylor Manor Hospital and Director of Professional Services for Family and Children Services of Maryland. Has been practicing Social Work as and Asian Indian living in the United States for over thirty years. Is currently on the Board of Directors for NAMI Baltimore. Provides pro bono counseling for Pro Bono Project. Serves as faculty liaison for graduate students at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and was appointed to the Governor's Foster Care Review Board.
Garima Lamba, Ph. D.
Presently working as staff psychologist for The Johns Hopkins University. Has also worked as a counselor at Texas Tech University, University of Minnesota, Colonial Counseling Center, The University of Memphis, Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., and Truman State University. Dr. Lamba had provided supervision at various locations, participated in numerous outreach presentations, and has research and teaching experience.
Soniya Malhotra
Presently working as a compliance analyst for Verizon wireless. Bachelor degree from Dehli University, India in political science.
Bina Pancholi - Martin
Corporate Training Manager, Diversity Champion and Facilitator, certified in Situational Leadership and Disc Behavior and Values Model. Bilingual with non profit experience at People Against Child Abuse in Annapolis, MD.
Asma Shaikh – Stewart, BS Public Health/Epidemiology, MSHS Clinical Research
Asma is a clinical research professional with experience in both pharmaceutical (private) industry and government research. She has fundraising experience with the American Cancer Society. She has been with CHAI since 2005.
Hema Subramanian, B.A. Psychology and Environmental Studies
BA in Psychology and Environmental Studies from Pitzer College. Currently works on public health and environmental issues for Environmental Working Group. Past experience includes pesticides data analysis for the EPA, water resources research at National Wildlife Federation, volunteer counseling at teen centers and hospitals, and event planning for various organizations. Board member for CHAI since 2004.
Sayeedha Uddin, MD, MPH
Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Preventive Medicine Physician. Currently in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University. Sayeedha has an interest in women's health and mental health.