Niloufer Merchant
Psychologist, EdD, LP
My name is Dr. Niloufer Merchant and I am a Professor Emeritus at St. Cloud State University, where I taught for 28 years in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I am also a Licensed Psychologist, currently in private practice in Minneapolis, MN.
Areas of Expertise
Counseling, Trauma Therapy, Culturally-Grounded, Holistic Approaches, Consultation and Training
My areas of expertise encompass working with diverse populations dealing with trauma related to various sources, including war, domestic violence, sexual abuse, childhood trauma, medical issues, and accidents. I have a particular focus on trauma related to racial and cultural issues. I am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and employ other mind-body and mindfulness-based approaches in my practice.
I have extensively presented and published on the topic of multicultural issues and cultural competencies. Notably, I recently delivered a TEDx talk where I explored the connection between principles of Polyvagal Theory and cultural practices, drawing from my Asian Indian heritage. My aim is to generate discourse in national and international settings on the use of Polyvagal Theory in understanding racial and cultural trauma and facilitating healing.