Some of my life experiences influenced me to think about what mental health support may mean to someone and its significance in their lives. Over time, I learned about the importance of co-creating safe spaces that support their health, nurture hope and their versions of living and being.

I draw a lot of excitement from being able to share discoveries, possibilities, hopes and a relationship of solidarity with people I meet.

After the first session, I do hope they feel heard, witnessed and understood on their terms and hope that the space feels safe, collaborative and feel as an agent of change in their lives.

Seeking therapy is one of the brave ways of taking care of yourself especially when it feels difficult to. Feel free to ask questions, know more about your therapist, the therapy space and take it slow with yourself in this significant step.

I hope for our relationship to look like something that’s warm, equal, holds honesty, care and respect in the center and a space that slowly and eventually feels safe to come back to.

That people are always figuring it out, responding, living rich, value-laden lives they wish for even in the face of distress and problems.

My ability to listen and hold space for people’s lived-experiences. And to be able to hold silences in the conversation and make the person feel at ease.

I love lazy, quiet afternoons of reading, being around my cats and napping. I also almost have infinite resources for conversations about BTS over chai and Indian desserts.

I use a strengths-based, collaborative approach in my practice and for me people’s expertise, lived-experiences and value systems guide the path we may want to take and skills we explore in the therapy process. It’s also important for me to locate people’s experiences in larger systems and hence the therapeutic principles center anti-caste, queer and disability affirmative ways of working.

Using inclusive language and intake forms and keeping handy resources and stories from queer folks at various identity intersections. I also continue to attend trainings by queer folks, seek supervision and queer my practices. Using children’s picturebooks with some of my queer clients have opened up possibilities of being in the world.