Get to know Vani.

City & Background

Vani Subramaniam (She/They) is a mental health counsellor from Bengaluru who practices online.

They're 34 years old, identify as Queer, and have been practicing since 4 years.

English, and Hindi are some of the languages they know, and hourly fee is (₹) 2,500 - 3,500.

Education

They have the following qualifications: MSC Counseling Psychology ,Masters in Narrative Therapy and Community Work.

Additional qualifications:One Year Certificate Course in Narrative Therapy, Dulwich Center and Children First,Basics and Beyond Online Course on Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Tarshi,Reflect, Realign, Renew: Manage Stress and Keep Burnout Away by Tarshi.

Why they became a therapist.

"While I’d like to have a more linear origin story, therapy found me gently, in pockets, at times when I was trying to integrate my educational training in the field of psychology with my capacity to be interested and invested in people’s stories. My own time spent in therapy helped me understand the process’s nuances and scope and I chose to build on this skill to be able to offer it professionally."

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

"I’m hoping that the people I work with feel able to ‘come as they are’. Sometimes they may have had an experience (s) of therapy before or come with ideas of what it might be. I’m open to them bringing questions, hopes, ideas and anything else that is alive for them. After our first session, my hope would be for them to carry the knowledge that this is a relational process that does so much more than ‘address some issues’. And that it is slow and …"

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

"This section can hold a lot of big words/ jargon. Please feel free to ask me about them if you're unclear. I'm a queer and neurodivergent person. While I have access to literature and lived experiences, safety, affirmation and advocacy in a therapeutic context is broader. It is a constant process of examining, unlearning, asking and staying close to the philosophies, movements, actions, voices and stories of these folx. Can I recognize …"

Areas of concern they address in counselling.

"I work with individuals between the ages of 18 - 45. A lot of my work touches upon the evolving world and its worries - all the way from larger issues like the pandemic and climate change to specific ways in which someone's access to employment, education, connections etc. are interrupted. My specific areas of interest are grief, loss, urban loneliness, migration, recovering from religious trauma, dating dilemmas and partner conflicts …"

A Quote Vani Resonates With.

"I know I'm no doctor but if I was guessing I'd say it was just growing pains And painful as growing is we can't forget it's our ticket to taking the reins And we'll all be okay, we'll be okay ~ Dusty Trails written by Jessica Wolfe / Holly Proctor. (Song)"