ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Hello, I am Ayesha Sharma.
I am a trained mental health professional based in Mumbai, India and have a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Sciences from University College London.
Having worked in various counselling set-ups at schools, colleges and crisis-intervention organisations, I have extensive experience in addressing emotional distress in adolescents and adults.
My practice draws on an eclectic approach as I have trained in several therapeutic frameworks.
Together we will explore thoughts and feelings, significant interpersonal relationships throughout life, and the body when trying to understand emotional distress. I use cognitive-behavioural, somatic, relational, analytic and narrative therapy frameworks in my sessions.
Therapy is for everybody. The defining feature of my approach to therapy is the emphasis I place on building a trustworthy and ethical therapeutic relationship with clients so I can support you in meeting parts of yourself .
Psychotherapy does not provide an assurance that problems will cease to exist. Rather, it is an exploration of our inner worlds. It is simply being with our experiences with another as an empathetic witness. It is knowing that help is available to cope with the curveballs that life may throw our way.
I am aware of, and constantly bring into awareness, the systemic and structural factors that impact our mental health in significant ways. The support I provide is trauma-informed, queer-affirmative, psychosocial and rights-based.
If this resonates with you and you wish to work with me, please drop us an email.
Warmly,
Ayesha
QUALIFICATIONS
Below are a list of my relevant qualifications
University College London
MSC. CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
WCC, Chennai and East-West Centre for Counselling
POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY
Albert Ellis Institute, New York
PRIMARY AND ADVANCED CERTIFICATION IN RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
CERTIFICATE IN COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY
Integral Somatic Psychology
MASTER TRAINING IN INTEGRAL SOMATIC PSYCHOLOGY
University of Roehampton, London (affiliated to Artsphere)
INTENSIVE CERTIFICATE COURSE IN ART THERAPY
Centre for Community Dialogue and Change
CERTIFICATE FACILITATOR TRAINING IN THEATRE OF THE OPPRESSED
Sophia College for Women
CERTIFICATE IN SOCIAL WORK
Hank Nunn Institute
CERTIFICATE COURSE IN UNDERSTANDING PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Mariwala Health Initiative
CERTIFICATE IN QUEER AFFIRMATIVE COUNSELLING PRACTICE (QACP)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Previous relevant experiences:
August 2019 - February 2021
SENIOR PROGRAMMES OFFICER- ICALL PSYCHOSOCIAL HELPLINE, TATA INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES (TISS).
Overlooked the execution of UNFPA’s projects with iCALL Psychosocial Helpline. Involved in setting up counselling helplines, state-level trainings for government RKSK counsellors in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, authored mental health resources and communication materials, mental health trainer for external organisations, overlooked on-field supervision activity.
January 2018 - June 2019
STUDENT COUNSELLOR- SOPHIA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, MUMBAI
Worked extensively with adolescents and young adults using evidence-based interventions towards enhancing well-being in my role as counselling psychologist at the J.N Heredia Centre for Counselling at Sophia College. Conducted individual therapy sessions, designed workshops on relevant mental health topics, facilitated group therapy during my time there. I was also guest lecturer for some of the psychology components of the BA and BSc courses.
August 2018 - January 2019
GROUP THERAPIST- AVALON HEIGHTS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Group facilitator for an Expressive Arts Therapy Group towards positive mental health outcomes like resilience and increased self-esteem among adolescents.
September 2018 - September 2019
RESEARCH AUTHOR
Research author on a study titled ‘Observer Intervention in Sexual Harassment: A Situational Judgement Approach to Assessment and Training’-
Under the EMERGE (Evidence-based Measures of Empowerment for Research on Gender Equity) grants issued by The Centre on Gender Equity and Health (GEH) at the University of California, San Diego, USA, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The research paper has been published in the South Asian Journal of Law, Policy and Social Research (2020) and has been presented at the SIOP conference, USA (2020).
February 2017- July 2017
ASSISTANT TO PSYCHOLOGIST- ICOPE PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES CENTRE, NHS CAMDEN AND ISLINGTON TRUST
As assistant psychologist, I engaged in clinical practice by observing, shadowing and working with an experienced Psychological Wellbeing Practioner (PWP) and other mental health professionals at the Camden and Islington iCope Psychological Services Centre.
During my time there I also completed some professional development courses online.