It would be a lie if I say I always dreamt of becoming a counsellor, the dream and passion was built bit by bit. Initially my decision was inspired by my supervisors and professors and their love and ethics towards the profession made me keep exploring this path. But after consulting with people, their stories of resilience, small acts of resistance and informed decisions to reclaim their story, has made me realise how much I value being part of the journeys of resistance and solidarity.

Questioning, pausing, reflecting, creating, or recreating a story that feels one’s own.

I hope they feel heard, their story is respected and collaboratively coming up with small actions in preferred directions.

I will put in equal efforts to create a safer and collaborative space with you and will walk alongside in every step you would like to take or not take. We shall figure it out.

Sense of solidarity against the oppression. And allyship to their story.

They have made me question and reflect a lot of things. But their choice to remain kind and being there for each other in times of distress, has strongly made me believe that people are always responding, and their choices are driven by values that they believe deeply about life and the world that they want to live in.

Questioning. Listening. Meaning making of experience. And ability to sit with silence.

Sketching themes from stories that make me think and feel. Reading books. Binge watching shows. Running marathon when life is not moving.

“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 centre anti-caste, queer, and disability affirmative ways of working”

I use collaborative approach guided by the anti-caste, queer, and disability affirmative principles and mindfulness practices. It is going to be a space of curiosity to understand oneself which includes personal goals, values, relationships, thought processes, listening to the emotions with openness and most importantly evaluating the context (political, family, class, caste, gender, sexuality, community etc).

Using inclusive language and intake forms. I follow feminist framework, which believes and allows for self- disclosure, using to Center the person’s story, their lived experiences and to sit together with questions and creating labels that feels right and exploring them slowly. I also attend workshops conducted by queer folks and constantly learning from the people whom I consult with.