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| The queer affirmative lens aims at making therapy more accessible and inclusive for individuals from the queer community and other marginalized communities. |
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I completed my Masters in Applied Psychology from TISS Mumbai and began working at iCALL- a Field Action Project of TISS in 2016 soon after the completion of my Masters. I worked there as a Counselling Psychologist in the initial years of my career where I got an opportunity to work with people from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and address issues related to academics, career, interpersonal relationships, gender & sexuality, violence, suicidal ideation, and other psychosocial issues.
Between 2019 and 22 I was assigned supervisory and leadership roles within the same organization and got an opportunity to strategize and plan mental health interventions, EAP services, and capacity-building initiatives in collaboration with diverse stakeholders namely, corporations, educational institutions, Government bodies, seafaring organizations.
In February 2022, I founded Raah: The Guided Path, an initiative for offering training and guidance to Early Career Psychologists and aspiring Psychologists. The journey of interacting with young therapists began from a social media post and I'm grateful that it has continued to date.
Since its inception, Raah has offered training and guidance to 200 early career therapists from different parts of India and overseas. The upskilling opportunities offered by Raah aim at imparting a depathologising, trauma-informed and queer affirmative lens of mental health, which supports diversity and inclusion.
2. When and why did you choose this field?
Psychology was one of the subjects during my Undergraduation. I had decided to pursue further studies in Psychology in the second year of graduation, however, it was only during my Master, 's that I was completely sure that Psychology is my calling. The Master's Programme at TISS not only helped me learn theories of Counselling but also gave me the perspective to adapt them to the mental health needs of the Indian context.
As a part of our curriculum, I interned at hospitals, government schools & child development centers and understood how important it was to make mental health services accessible in different social settings. The need for mental health services made me more aware of the value I could add by offering support to individuals in distress.
3. In your private practice, you mention working as a trauma-informed and queer-affirmative therapist. How do these approaches influence your counseling sessions, and what challenges do you often encounter?
The queer affirmative lens aims at making therapy more accessible and inclusive for individuals from the queer community and other marginalized communities. It promotes sensitivity to the unique stressors of the queer community and recognises the intersections of power and privilege across different social identities, namely, gender, sexuality, social class, caste, religion, ethnicity or disability.
The trauma-informed lens recognizes the impact of traumatic experiences on the client's mental health. The primary aim of trauma-informed therapy psychoeducate clients about the physiological, behavioural, cognitive, and emotional signs of trauma, learn ways to regulate difficult emotions, and connect with safety within the self and their environment.
4. Your involvement in the Gatekeeper Training on Suicide Prevention is notable. Could you elaborate on the key components of this training and its impact on mental health awareness?
(Just a small correction, the training I hold for Practising Psychologists for Suicide Prevention is different from a gatekeeper training. The role of a Psychologist is different from that of a gatekeeper, therefore the skills taught to them are also different. So instead of Gatekeeper Training, you could say your 'Training in Suicide Prevention for Practising Psychologists')
Suicide prevention has been one of the areas I have actively worked in, since the beginning of my career. Suicide is a pressing concern in our country as we lose close to 1.6 lakh lives to suicides every year. This makes it more important for mental health professionals to be trained to respond sensitively to disclosures of suicidal thoughts and attempts. The training I hold for Practising Psychologists every year focuses on skills of building trust, assessing risk and building a safety plan for the client, by building realistic hope and focusing on the strengths and abilities of the client.
Besides, it also helps Psychologists gather a psychosocial lens to the issue of suicide and address distress stemming from trauma, systemic oppression and marginalisation. Addressing suicidal ideation in therapy, breaks the stigma around seeking help and ensures timely support to individuals experiencing very high distress.
5. What are your tips for people who want to practice this profession?
(I'm assuming this is for freshers/Early Career therapists, people who have just completed MA in Psychology, or have started working less than 3 years ago)
The initial few years of working with clients as a Psychologist are likely to be challenging. You may feel unsure about your skills and competence to address different issues. Here are some tips to assist
Mistakes are inevitable. Be compassionate towards yourself
Give yourself time to learn and grow. Invest in skill building from time to time.Take cognizance of your knowledge and skill gaps but also be aware of your strengths
Draw boundaries with work and actively engage in self care.Seek supervision regularly for your professional growth.Seek therapy for your own mental health
6. Do you have any tips for people who want to join this field?
(I'm assuming this is for people who are about to pursue their Masters in Psychology to become qualified Psychologists)
Apart from completing Masters in Psychology from a recognised University, being a mental health professional requires us to be aware of our psychosocial context and how different socio-cultural factors impact the mental health of our society. In addition to this, the dearth of qualified mental health professionals and the stigma around seeking professional help makes it even more challenging for underprivileged and marginalized sections of society to access mental health services.
Hence, the role of a Psychologist is not just limited to addressing issues within a therapy session, it also involves building awareness of the significance of mental health care, working for accessibility and inclusivity, advocating for issues of marginalized communities, and contributing your bit for societal change. Reflect on your own privileges and be sensitive to the needs of communities that are oppressed and marginalised.
7. What does your typical workday look like?
My typical work day comprises of my one-on-one supervision sessions with Early Career Therapists and therapy sessions with my clients. On Fridays and Saturdays, I hold Group Trainings for Psychologists and aspiring Psychologists on different topics such as 'Strength based Counselling Models', 'Grief', 'Gender & Sexuality' 'Suicide Prevention'.
Apart from my supervision, training, and therapy sessions, I spend time reading and preparing for my sessions, creating content for my social media, and brainstorming on different ways to expand my venture Raah: The Guided Path.
Bio:
I completed my Masters in Applied Psychology from TISS Mumbai and began working at iCALL- a Field Action Project of TISS in 2016 soon after the completion of my Masters. I worked there as a Counselling Psychologist in the initial years of my career where I got an opportunity to work with people from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and address issues related to academics, career, interpersonal relationships, gender & sexuality, violence, suicidal ideation, and other psychosocial issues.
Between 2019 and 22 I was assigned supervisory and leadership roles within the same organization and got an opportunity to strategize and plan mental health interventions, EAP services, and capacity-building initiatives in collaboration with diverse stakeholders namely, corporations, educational institutions, Government bodies, seafaring organizations.
In February 2022, I founded Raah: The Guided Path, an initiative for offering training and guidance to Early Career Psychologists and aspiring Psychologists. The journey of interacting with young therapists began from a social media post and I'm grateful that it has continued to date.
Since its inception, Raah has offered training and guidance to 200 early career therapists from different parts of India and overseas. The upskilling opportunities offered by Raah aim at imparting a depathologising, trauma-informed and queer affirmative lens of mental health, which supports diversity and inclusion.
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