Initially, I pursued psychology just because I wanted to understand myself better. Eventually, I learnt that helping others navigate through their journey and being a witness to it was something that I found fulfilling.

Therapy is a space of growth and change but it is also a space of just ‘being’. Working with clients and seeing resilience in them for all the struggles they have been through and the way they choose to take steps to take care of themselves is extremely rewarding. I also find that when I am genuinely curious, it helps me go to a space which is non-judgemental and understand where my client is coming from. In some ways, just being in that space of challenging my own beliefs to create space for others helps me personally and professionally.

A safe space of being with themselves and reflecting on their experience, also the feeling of being heard. Another essential thing I’d like a client take back is at least one tool/technique that helps them in times of distress.

There are different forms of therapies, so it helps to talk to the therapist earlier and find out if you feel comfortable with their form of practice. Most importantly, you need to feel safe, secure, comfortable in therapy, and you can rely on your instincts to make that decision. It is a service provided to the client, so they can ask questions as well as give feedback at any point in therapy.

A therapeutic relationship which has mutual respect, trust, space for authenticity and genuineness. I also try to create a space as equal as possible with the client, while holding space for them.

It is heartening to see clients stand up for themselves, learning to see themselves as worthy through the most difficult challenges and regain their sense of agency. The immense resilience they show gives a lot of hope.

I believe that genuineness, empathy and learning are guiding forces in my practice. I find when working with clients, I find looking at the larger socio-economic context we live in is essential and helps me gain better understanding of where my clients are coming from. I strongly believe that who I am as a person will always impact who I am as a counsellor and that has led me to work through my own stereotypes and prejudice I may have had and still continue to work on them.

I love going for walks, watching the clouds, painting, reading novels, and making travelling itineraries. I also love bonding with my friends over coffee and listening to music.

I have an eclectic approach meaning I use a variety of techniques from different schools of therapy. However, predominantly, I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which looks at thoughts and belief systems and it’s impact on emotion and behaviour; and Person Centered Therapy which fundamentally believes in creating an environment for individuals which is supportive and holding space for them. Apart from this, I use elements of existential therapy while working towards making meaning of experiences. I also am a trained Arts Based Therapy practitioner and often use art, dance, movement, play, stories and music in therapy. I have a feminist and trauma informed approach to therapy.

As a trained queer affirmative practitioner, I have worked on unlearning some of my heteronormative assumptions about the body, sex and gender and try to inform myself continuously about the unique stressors they face. It is important to understand the various social factors which can cause a lot more distress to the queer individuals which are often chronic in nature. I try to be mindful of these factors rather than assuming the problem lies within the individual, and go beyond to understand situational and environmental elements that can cause.