Get to know Akshada.

City & Background

Akshada Anikhindi (She/Her) is a mental health counsellor from Mumbai who practices online.

They're 38 years old and have been practicing since 2 years.

English, Hindi, and Marathi are some of the languages they know, and hourly fee is (₹) 2,000 - 4,100.

Education

They have the following qualifications: M.A Psychology, IGNOU 2023.

Additional qualifications: QACP - MHI 2023 Diploma in Narrative Practices 20244 Diploma in Cognitive Hypnotic Psychotherapy (ICHARS- Clinical Hypnotherapy) 2022.

Why they became a therapist.

"Honestly, I chose to become a counsellor because, during a time when I was struggling, I found it really hard to access therapy. Not because good therapists don’t exist, but because mental health wasn’t openly spoken about, and I didn’t know where to begin. That experience stayed with me. At the time, I was working in finance as a Chartered Accountant. On paper, everything looked fine, but something didn’t feel right. Over time, it became clear …"

What they'd like a client's first session to be like.

"After the first session, I hope my clients leave feeling a little more seen and a little less alone. I want them to get a sense that this isn’t just a space where we talk about problems, but a space where they can show up as they are - messy, unsure, quiet, curious, or even funny. I believe therapy isn’t automatically a safe space just because we call it one. It’s something we co-create, with care and time. Sometimes it becomes a brave space …"

How they make their practice a safe and affirmative space for queer and trans* folx.

"I’ve completed the Queer Affirmative Counselling Practice certification from MHI, and I know the work doesn’t stop there. I continue to learn through reading, community-led conversations, and peers who hold me accountable. I try to stay mindful of language, power dynamics, and what safety means for each person. While I haven’t worked with many trans clients yet, I hold feedback with care and stay committed to unlearning and doing better."

Areas of concern they address in counselling.

"I work with adults, typically between the ages of 18 to 60, across a range of concerns including anxiety, self-worth, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, and body image. I also work with clients processing family dynamics, emotional neglect, and early experiences that continue to shape their present. A part of my practice is also with non-resident Indians, often first-generation individuals navigating life outside of India, …"

A Quote Akshada Resonates With.

"There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. ~ Leonard Cohen"