I felt that my strength and leaning was in creating and cultivating one on one relationships with people. I was heavily intrigued by their life stories that brought in their unique perspectives. It was only with time that I realised this is a very dynamic field and profession where you can never exhaust learning and that is one factor that I feel will be my guiding force.

The fact that I get to meet new individuals, which their own live stories and despite these experiences being so different and varied, there’s an unsaid string that binds all of us together. Also, working as a counsellor opens immense place up for creativity- to use different modalities to reach out to people, that they themselves can slowly explore.

A safe, comfortable and non-judgemental space where we can unravel the boxes we carry with ourselves at the pace comfortable for you. This space is one that we will co-create together and see it change over time.

Therapy, growth and cultivating a relationship with self is not a one session approach, it’s a journey that will include back and forths, ups and downs and some time. They will be asked if they are comfortable with the process, pace and for feedback at many junctures. So, they don’t need to hold back.

I inform my clients during the intake call itself that therapy is a collaborative process where both of us will be working together. I clearly mention, that there is no hierarchy here and I am not at a position of advantage or authority, just because I am a therapist. Rather, both of us are equals here. Since my approach is non-directive, I encourage the client in multiple ways to share how they are feeling, if they would like something different or if they feel they would like to try something new in the therapy space i.e. working with a different modality or engage in activities.

Each client comes with a different life story and narrative, its essential to celebrate their them and their journey. Categorisation helps for personal organisation, but can’t be the only way to view people.

Giving the clients some time and space to explore the ways that seem comfortable in the therapeutic space. I heavily believe in collaboration and brainstorming different, creative and unique ways of responding to the things that come our way.

I like to spend my time catching up on new series and Bollywood films while munching on my favourite snacks. I have an ever growing pile of books that I’m taking my time with. Since I love nature and the outdoors especially on a cloudy day, you can find me coming up with the most unique reasons to step out and just be. Between sessions, you can find me hopping around with my art material and then trying to make space to display it in my working space.

I have a text template ready with me that includes a simple description of the approaches-

There is no one singular approach that is followed throughout the sessions, it’s usually a mixture. Here is a brief understanding of these approaches.

Expressive Arts Therapy- includes use of mediums like visual arts, movement, drama and music. However it isn’t a space where you’ll be expected to just perform, or your product to be a certain type, we would encourage you to try the activities out only if you’re comfortable and discuss your thoughts around the same.

Trauma Informed Care is a broader approach, where we will integrate our body into the experience, where we will begin to pay attention to how it feels.
Narrative therapy would allow us to focus on the narratives or stories that you share with us, in the different ways that they come up and find ways of how we would like to take them forward.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a more structured approach, that would involve breaking down our thought patterns into smaller parts.

Neuro linguistic programming (NLP) here we try to understand the patterns that we have developed over time, try and understand the purpose it serves us, and see what we would like to do with them.

IFS is a therapeutic approach that involves connecting with different parts of ourselves-understanding, befriending, and integrating them into a cohesive sense of self.

Mindfulness involves being in the present moment, finding out different ways for that for ourselves.

I share with my clients that I would ask them questions (not making it an interrogation) but from the point of view of avoiding making any assumptions from my end. In case I am unaware of some concept or term, I am honest with clients and ask them to share their understanding, post which I take some time to understand things better through research or by reaching out to others.