We have all heard our teachers say that they have been students once; the same applies to me here. There was a time when I needed mental health support, but I could not find it. This motivated to delve deeper into the field. I found that there are so many others like me who have lacked the support. This motivated me to get trained in the field of psychology. Learning more about psychology changed my understanding and perspective for good. This process also paved way for me to change my perspectives according to the needs of the client. I firmly believe in modifying the lens so as to empathise deeply with the client and understand the worldview of the client. This helps me make sense of the dynamics they share with their environment. It can lead to various groundbreaking epiphanies. Thus, more than anything else, becoming a therapist was essentially for widening my vision first and foremost. And for the curiosity and fascination of human behaviour and mind.

The constant learning (and unlearning) that takes place in sessions. You can have all the experience in the world but you never know what new stuff the client may talk about which you have never heard about before.

After their first session, one thing I would like my client to take back is the feeling of emotional safety; finding a place where they can speak their mind without thinking twice.

First of all, I would like to appreciate the client for reaching out. It is tough to take the initial step of booking a session especially when seeking mental health is still a stigma in our society. I would also like to reassure them that they are in a non-judgemental and safe space. Most importantly I would like to reiterate the autonomy they have in this setting and how this a collaborative work.

To make this process collaborative, I make it a point to ask clients if they are working towards any specific goals. The rapport between me and the client is of utmost importance to me as that gives the client a foundation on which they can freely express their thoughts and concerns with me. The autonomy of this process lies with client and I reinstate my position as a facilitator or catalyst in this process.

The most important learning for me as a therapist is that people are innately different from each other and that acknowledging differences makes therapy more effective. This also means not assuming - not assuming your client’s thoughts, background, feelings (and definitely not gender).

The strengths that I value in myself here is my ability to listen, communicate and be flexible in my therapy approach.

In my free time I enjoy playing with my cats, caring for stray animals and watching regional movies. I am passionate about travel photography and art (all forms - poetry, art history, singing etc)

In my practice, I tend to draw from multiple approaches depending on issues that the client reports and what works best for them. I rely on person centred approach where the therapy process is non directive. I use a sociopolitical justice and feminist lens. My practice is queer affirmative, trauma informed and neurodivergent affirmative.

To make my practice affirmative and safe, I share my pronouns and chosen name. The intake form includes space where client can share their pronouns and chosen name. As a queer person myself, my lived experience and my deep work with my community is the source that I draw information from.