I’ve always had an interest in how differently people experience and interpret the world around them. Growing up, I’d often wonder about “how” or “why” someone understood or felt something the way they did - like how our personal stories and what matters to us can completely shape how we interpret things. This natural curiosity about people’s inner worlds is what first drew me to psychology. Through both personal experience with therapy and witnessing mental health challenges among those close to me, I came to deeply appreciate the impact counselling can have.

Simply put - connection, and witnessing people’s journeys in all their complexity. What I love about being a counsellor is walking alongside people as they navigate their way through life. I want to make a space where clients can share not just their challenges, but also small victories and moments of joy, and I feel so grateful when I’m trusted to be part of their journey. One of the most rewarding aspects is watching as someone starts to look at their struggles with kinder eyes, and is softer towards parts of themselves. Seeing these moments of growth and discovery unfold - that’s what excites me to do this work.

By the end of our first meeting, I aim for clients to have a clearer picture of what working together might look like - the direction we could take and how we might get there. But most importantly, I hope they’ll leave feeling that they’ve found a warm, judgment-free space where they can be themselves and where there’s hope for the changes they’re looking to make. Remember that there’s no pressure to get everything “perfect” in that first session - we’re just taking those initial steps together.

Coming to therapy for the first time can feel daunting - after all, you’re opening up to someone you’ve just met! As a therapist, I aim to create a space where you can truly be yourself and feel safe, heard, and understood. While I bring tools and knowledge to our sessions, you’re the expert of your own life. I’m there alongside you, offering support as you explore what matters most to you. Therapy isn’t always a smooth ride, and that’s okay. We’re often looking at patterns built up over years, so it takes time. When you find the right therapeutic relationship, it becomes an amazing space to explore all parts of yourself.

I aim to build a relationship with clients that’s genuine, safe, collaborative and non-judgemental. I believe in bringing my authentic self to our therapeutic relationship, so while I won’t give direct advice or solutions, you’ll hopefully get to know me as a real person who’s genuinely invested in your growth and well-being. To me, therapy is a back and forth between discomfort and comfort - a space where we can work through any struggles, but also a space for self-exploration and growth; a space where you can not only talk about difficult feelings, but also be able to have a genuine laugh with me.

My greatest learning has been recognizing that people are never passive recipients of hardship – they’re always responding, even without realizing. Every client carries within them the knowledge about their struggles and how they’ve managed to stand up to these difficulties before. Therapy becomes a supportive space to reconnect with and build upon this existing knowledge while exploring new tools and perspectives that better serve our present needs. I’ve also learned that difficulties people face aren’t just personal – they’re often connected to larger systems and power structures that impact our daily lives. This understanding has shown me the importance of acknowledging how these broader sociopolitical contexts influence our experiences and collaboratively discover ways to respond and resist.

What I value about myself as a counsellor is my genuine curiosity about people’s stories. I love diving into different parts of my client’s lives with openness and wonder – it often helps us find strengths and meanings they hadn’t noticed before. I also value bringing my authentic self into the therapy space, and I think I’m pretty good at finding the line between going deep and keeping things light. I’ll ask the tough questions and challenge you when needed, but I believe a bit of humour or well-timed sarcasm can make those challenging conversations feel more doable, softening the edges.

In my downtime, you’ll usually find me drinking Coke, deep in a good book or scrolling through pop culture news. I love organizing my entire life on Notion, and my absolute favourite thing is making friends with any stray dogs or cats I come across in my neighbourhood. I’m also huge fan of sneaking in afternoon naps when I can.

My approach combines psychodynamic, humanistic, and narrative therapy to recognize each person’s unique experience. This means I explore how your past influences your present, helping you gain insight into your worldview; I see you as the expert of your life and create a safe space for you to explore your emotions, vulnerabilities, and strengths without judgment. A narrative therapy approach focuses on your personal story, avoiding labels and pathologizing. I believe “the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem.” We also consider how larger social and cultural contexts shape your narrative, empowering you to re-author your story.

I have undergone self-studied peer training in queer-affirmative counselling practice using a manual developed for and in the Indian context. I have been a part of groups and learning circles led by queer and trans folx which allowed me to learn from lived experiences and personal narratives. In my work, I use inclusive language and I remain aware of my status as an ally and the privilege attached to it. I am always learning by reading and participating in conversations around queer and trans mental health, reflecting on my biases and privileges, and seeking supervision.