Get to know Naveen.

City & Background

Naveen Sridharan (He/Him) is a mental health counsellor from Bengaluru who practices online.

They're 27 years old, identify as Queer, Agender, and have been practicing since 3 years.

English, and Tamil are some of the languages they know, and hourly fee is (₹) 700 - 1,200.

Education

They have the following qualifications: Master of Counselling, Monash University, Australia.

Why they became a therapist.

"I have had severe depression, suicidal tendencies, and anxiety growing up. During these periods, the mental health care that was accessible to me was very poor and the professionals that I saw at the time were neither promoting a safe space nor were they informed enough about issues that queer people faced or about queerness in general. As I also realized that I am neurodivergent, I noticed how most mental health professionals do not understand …"

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

"I would like for my clients to at least feel that the counselling space is safe for them to exist in. I believe safe spaces are not just helpful but are absolutely necessary for growth, so I consider establishing that my first priority and my constant guideline."

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

"I am queer myself (gay, demisexual, and agender). I also operate from the core belief that everyone is queer and no one is normal. Cis-heteronormativity and the gender binary are very rigid and impractical ideas that no single person can embody wholly. We all are affected by this rigidity in different ways. Although I do not know which ways each client is affected by this oppressive system, knowing that they definitely are affected gives way to …"

Areas of concern they address in counselling.

"I work mostly with adults, but I do not focus on particular concerns. Intersectionality is something I ground myself to, so it helps me see that no issue is in a vacuum - queerness, neurodivergence, oppressive systems, mental health, family, relationships are all connected."

A Quote Naveen Resonates With.

"Any man who stands for progress has to criticise, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith ~ Bhagat Singh"