The support group is about supporting adults of different ages and different contexts in navigating friendships such as making new friends, navigating friendship breakups, friendship as new mothers, friendships as urban young adults etc.

The support group is aimed to navigate feelings of loneliness, social anxiety and other psychosocial barriers for making friends.

The Friendship Compass support group was born out of a deep recognition of how complex, beautiful, and sometimes painful friendships can be. In our work as therapists, we noticed that many clients struggled with friendships—whether it was making new friends, maintaining closeness, dealing with conflict, or navigating friendship loss. These themes came up often in individual therapy, highlighting just how central friendships are to our emotional well-being.

Many of us grew up without clear guidance on navigating friendships, especially as adults. We often hear people say, “Why is making friends so hard?” or “I don’t know how to handle this friendship change.” These struggles can feel isolating, yet they are so common.

With this in mind, we created Friendship Compass—a space where people can come together to reflect on their experiences with friendship, share their challenges and joys, and support one another with warmth and care. This group is rooted in our values of **safety, transparency, respect, and collaboration—offering a non-judgmental space where people can explore friendships in all their complexity.

We hope this group serves as a gentle, guiding compass for anyone looking to better understand their friendships, navigate difficulties, and cultivate meaningful connections.

4 associate therapists from our practice will be faciliatating the sessions in pairs each month on a rotational basis.

Prachee: Prachee Ramsinghani (she/her) is an associate psychotherapist at Traversing Trauma Psychotherapy Services with 2 years of experience. She holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and is fluent in English and Hindi. Her trauma-informed, integrative approach draws from CBT, DBT, REBT, strength-based techniques, attachment theory, and somatic practices. Prachee creates a compassionate, non-judgmental space for clients aged 18–70, helping them navigate anxiety, grief, depression, interpersonal challenges, career transitions, and childhood trauma. She is also a queer-affirmative therapist, addressing issues like internalized queerphobia, discrimination, and relationship concerns. In addition to her role at Traversing Trauma, she is a counselor with the Vandrevala Foundation. Through collaboration, she empowers clients to explore healing, meaning-making, and personal growth.

Sagar: Sagar Takker (he/him) is an associate psychotherapist at Traversing Trauma Psychotherapy Services with 1.5 years of experience. He holds an MSc in Psychology and works with clients aged 18–40 in English and Hindi. His integrative, trauma-informed approach incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Humanistic-Existential Therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Sagar helps clients navigate social anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and difficult childhood experiences, focusing on self-compassion and emotional regulation. Through a collaborative process, he supports clients in developing healthier coping mechanisms and creating fulfilling lives.

Namrata: Namrata Nagabhushana (she/her) is an associate psychotherapist at Traversing Trauma Psychotherapy Services, bringing her expertise as a couple’s therapist to the team. She holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a certification in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Her therapeutic approach is trauma-informed grounded in a queer-affirmative framework, while also incorporating a systemic lens. Namrata is dedicated to creating a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals seeking to navigate various mental health challenges. Her commitment to fostering healing and personal growth is evident in her compassionate and client-centered approach. Through collaboration, Namrata empowers clients to explore healing, meaning-making, and personal development, guiding them toward a more fulfilling life.

Trayosee: Trayosee Ghosh (she/her) is an associate psychotherapist at Traversing Trauma Psychotherapy Services with 2.5 years of experience. She holds an MSc in Counseling Psychology and is a Certified Integral Somatic Practitioner and Art Therapist. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Bengali, she works with clients aged 18–45. Trayosee’s eclectic, trauma-informed approach integrates Integral Somatic Psychology, Art Therapy, CBT, and Narrative Therapy. She supports individuals struggling with emotional instability, self-image concerns, interpersonal challenges, and difficult childhood experiences. Trayosee creates a compassionate space for clients to explore self-expression, develop emotional resilience, and break self-sabotaging patterns.

Other associate therapists when onboarded to be part of the practice may also facilitate these sessions in the future.

The Friendship Compass support group was founded a couple of months ago, and the journey so far has been deeply meaningful. We’ve been able to reach a few people and have already had some great, insightful conversations about the joys and challenges of friendship. It’s been heartening to see people share their experiences, reflect together, and support one another in ways that feel safe and validating.

As we move forward, we hope to grow this space into a consistent, welcoming community where people can explore friendships with curiosity and care. Our intention is to continue fostering safety, connection, and reflection, ensuring that no one has to navigate the complexities of friendship alone.

At our practice, we believe that mental health care should be holistic, compassionate, and deeply attuned to each person’s lived experience. Our approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, ensuring that safety, trust, and empowerment are at the heart of everything we do. We recognize that healing isn’t just about addressing symptoms—it’s about understanding the larger story of a person’s life, including the systems and structures that shape their experiences.

We integrate a variety of therapeutic approaches, including:

• Somatic work, which helps clients reconnect with their bodies and process emotions beyond words.
• Art therapy, offering creative expression as a pathway to healing and self-discovery.
• Narrative therapy, which helps people explore and reshape the stories they tell about themselves.
• A social justice lens, acknowledging how societal and systemic factors impact mental health and well-being.

What makes our approach unique is that we see therapy as a collaborative and non-pathologizing space—one where clients are the experts of their own lives. We work alongside them to explore their struggles and strengths, honoring their resilience while providing tools and insights for deeper healing.

For those who seek a therapeutic space that is gentle, validating, and socially conscious, our practice offers a home for growth, self-exploration, and meaningful change.

Our approach to professional mental health care interventions is guided by ethical responsibility, safety, and accessibility to the right level of support. While the Friendship Compass support group provides a space for open conversations and shared experiences, we recognize that some challenges may require individualized professional care beyond the group setting.

We have a trusted referral network of mental health professionals to whom we can refer group members if they need additional support. These professionals align with our trauma-informed, somatic, and social justice-oriented approach, ensuring that individuals receive care that is safe and attuned to their needs.

Additionally, our group facilitators are trained therapists who also offer individual therapy. If a group member requires one-on-one support, they can seek therapy with a facilitator, following due process and ethical standards to ensure clear boundaries and appropriate care.

Our priority is to maintain the integrity of the support group while ensuring that anyone who needs professional intervention has access to the right resources in a safe and ethical manner.

The Friendship Compass support group is designed to provide a safe space for exploring friendships, connection, and relational challenges. However, there are certain topics that the group is not equipped to support, as they require specialized care and individual attention.

We are not the right space for conversations focused on:

• Suicidal ideation or crisis intervention
• Active self-harm
• Severe mental health crises
• Trauma processing
• Interpersonal violence, abuse, or situations requiring immediate safety planning

While we acknowledge that these experiences can deeply impact friendships and relationships, we encourage individuals facing these challenges to seek individual therapy or crisis support. Our facilitators can help with referrals to trusted professionals who are equipped to provide the appropriate care.

Our goal is to ensure that all participants receive the support they need in the right setting, while maintaining a space that feels safe, contained, and aligned with the group’s purpose.

To sign up for the Friendship Compass support group, interested participants can reach out to us directly to express their interest. Once they do, we will share a Google Form that is updated each month. This form includes all necessary details, including session dates, payment information, and any other relevant guidelines.

Steps to Join:

1. Reach out to us to express interest via email or whatsapp.
2. Fill out the monthly Google Form, which includes payment details and participant information.
3. Complete the payment process as outlined in the form.
4. Receive confirmation of your spot in the group and session details.

Since spaces may be limited, we encourage early sign-ups to ensure a smooth process. If you have any questions before joining, feel free to ask, and we’ll be happy to guide you through the process.

Our support group is built on a foundation of safety, respect, and mutual care. To ensure that every participant feels comfortable and supported, we follow these guiding principles.

Confidentiality is essential. What is shared in the group stays in the group. Participants are encouraged to respect each other’s privacy and not share personal stories outside the space. To maintain trust and privacy, please refrain from recording any part of the session.

Non-judgment and respect are key values. Everyone’s experiences and perspectives are valid. We listen without interrupting, offering support rather than advice unless explicitly asked. This group is a safe space for open dialogue, and we encourage approaching discussions with an open mind, respecting diverse perspectives and experiences.

Consent and boundaries matter. Participation is always voluntary. No one is required to share if they are not comfortable, and everyone has the right to set boundaries around what they do or do not discuss.

We follow a non-pathologizing approach. We recognize that struggles in friendships are a natural part of life and not a sign of personal failure. We aim to explore them with curiosity and self-compassion rather than self-blame.

We value everyone’s contributions. To allow ample time for sharing, please be mindful of your speaking time. While facilitators hold space for the group, all participants contribute to making it a welcoming and inclusive environment.

This is a supportive space, not a crisis-response space. This group is for exploring friendships and connection, not a substitute for professional therapy or crisis intervention. If deeper support is needed, facilitators can help with referrals.

These values help create a space where participants can engage with honesty, care, and mutual support.