As someone who grew up surrounded by not one but many story-tellers around me (in the form of friends, family members, peers or even the larger community) I found great joy and connection in being a witness and a receiver of numerous anecdotes, tales, and histories over the years. Additionally, my own mental health experiences as a young person navigating different systems and structures further made me realize the need for support and community in our lives and what that can truly make possible for all of us. These multiple reasons reflected in my choice of becoming a therapist which has so far been a long and exciting journey of love and labour!

The intimate nature of the therapeutic relationship which invites a person in all their humanness.

A sense of assuredness and comfort that may allow them to show up how ever they may want. Also, a sense of feeling like they are the ’expert’ in their life with me as a co-traveller or facilitator alongside!

Seeking therapy is a rich and meaningful journey of connecting with our unique know-how, skills and lived experiences, a space that honours and invites our agency in navigating the challenges in our lives and in helping us move towards our preferred ways of being that align with our hopes, values and intentions. Additionally, while therapy may sometimes bring in short-term discomfort, I hope you are able to be a part of this journey for long enough to experience the ways in which it can be so rewarding in the longer run! :)

I like to connect with my own humanness and curiosity as much as possible to co-create a relationship that is genuine, non-blaming and respectful of the client and their experiences. Working with my clients and being a client myself has also taught me that while it is important to make space for the intensity of our experiences, it is just as relational and healing to make room for the more playful, humorous and candid parts of ourselves to engage and show up within the sessions!

My greatest learning so far has been around understanding how the experiences that the clients bring in are often situated within a larger and broader context of power which is why it may be important to open up conversations around the politics of our day to day lives and collaborate on how we can locate, resist and respond to these problems that exist within a broader sociopolitical context.

As a therapist, I value my ability to connect with my clients and create a non-judgmental environment wherein they feel free to show up how ever they may want.

Having grown up in the lush green valley of Dehradun, which offered plenty of quiet and solace, I spend a considerable amount of time engaging in deep, often silly, reflections about life and its ordinary themes, often capturing them through my writing and photography. On most days, you will find me seated next to a large window, with enough sunshine, wonder and caffeine to keep me steady and going!

While I draw from different schools of thought, my therapeutic approach is largely guided by person-centred and narrative therapy principles rooted in the values of social justice, mutual respect and collaboration.

I found a lot of resonance in the idea of ‘imperfect allyship’ which basically means that being an ally is a constant work in progress. For me, this work involves listening and familiarizing myself with the lived experiences of the queer and trans community within and beyond work and to question and challenge heteronormative ideas. In my work with my clients, I strive to maintain a lens of reflexivity which allows me to be mindful of my own privilege and pushes me to keep reflecting on areas wherein I can learn, unlearn and educate myself further.