Get to know Kashika.

City & Background

Kashika Sachdeva (She/Her) is a mental health counsellor from Delhi who practices online and offline. They practice in New Delhi.

They're 25 years old and have been practicing since 2 years.

English, and Hindi are some of the languages they know, and hourly fee is (₹) 1,800 - 2,300.

Education

They have the following qualifications: MSc Clinical Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India,BA (Hons) Psychology, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi, India.

Additional qualifications:Certification in Queer and Trans Affirmative Counselling (International Institute of Psychotherapy, Chennai, India).

Why they became a therapist.

"Ever since school, Psychology did not feel like 'studying' - it felt like something you come home to after a long working day. A homecoming, of sorts. For the 7 years I have studied the subject, I have often contemplated on what feels like 'second nature' to me, something that absorbs me, fulfills me, and inspires me. Choosing to be a psychotherapist was not a tough call then. I tried out different things in college, and I …"

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

"The feeling of being witnessed in who they are. First sessions with me are a space for clients to embody what it is like to be seen, to express what is hard to, to not be shamed for it, to not be made to shrink, to be made to feel alive, to know that they deserve care, autonomy, and respect. I keep the space relatively unstructured for them to express what feels important to them, providing more support if needed."

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

"I am a certified queer and trans affirmative therapist. I do not believe in rigid definitions of existence, and I recognise how our systems are and have been oppressive to queer and trans folx. My approach in therapy is to allow for autonomous and authentic expression, keeping in mind the ways we have had to 'mask' our identities to survive in the world."

Areas of concern they address in counselling.

"I work with adults (18-45 years). I work in a holistic manner to focus on clients' relational experiences. Some concerns I address are trauma, abuse, depression, anxiety, self-harm, relationships, personal growth and meaning-making, stress, grief, among others."

A Quote Kashika Resonates With.

"All of us, at any given time, are doing the best we can ~ Marsha Linehan"