About Me
Education & Qualifications
Hello! I’m Niharikaa Mehta, a trauma-informed, queer-affirmative and neurodivergent-affirmative therapist working towards creating a safe, non-judgmental space for my clients. Currently based in Mumbai, I’ve been a practicing therapist for two years. I offer therapy in English and Hindi.
I draw from various therapeutic modalities, offering an eclectic approach rooted in humanistic principles and guided by a trauma-informed lens.
MSc in Clinical Psychology – Manipal Academy of Higher Education (2023)
BA in Psychology, Sociology, and English – Christ University (2020)
After my masters, I have spent over a year working with elderly with dementia and/or other neurodegenerative disorders. I have also gained hands on training to enhance and hone my therapeutic skills. Throughout my work I have had an opportunity to work with diverse array of clients belonging to different communities and sections of the society.
Outside therapy room, I enjoy a slow paced life, grounding in quiet moments, enjoying a warm cup of coffee and reflective conversations. I believe in witnessing and allowing space for various parts that we've learned to silence.
Having been on both sides of the couch, I understand the importance of a space where one can be witnessed just as they are and that’s why I deeply value the work we do here. So let's come together to meet us where we are!
My Philosophy
As a therapist, I recognize that no two journeys are alike, shaping my approach to align with each client’s unique experiences, pace, and needs. According to me, therapy is not about “fixing” it’s about remembering, understanding and softening into who we are.n my role, I walk alongside my clients rather than lead them, fostering a space that is collaborative, reflective, and paced to feel safe. At the core of my work is a relationship grounded in trust, transparency, and care.
As we explore your lived experiences, I offer a space where you are invited to come as you are with all your parts, emotions, thoughts, and contradictions. A significant part of my work draws from Internal Family Systems (IFS), which rests on the belief in the multiplicity of the mind. We each carry an internal system of these parts, and I support clients in identifying and understanding their roles. The aim is to foster a more harmonious internal system that can be approached with curiosity, compassion, and clarity, while also exploring how early attachment patterns and past experiences shape our present-day relationships including the one we hold with ourselves.
I also deeply believe that while thoughts reside in the mind, emotions are held in the body. As we explore different parts of the system, I gently invite clients to tune into their bodily sensations, allowing space for emotional processing and deeper integration through somatic and experiential practices. In addition, I incorporate interventions from Transactional Analysis (TA) and Gestalt therapy to support and enrich each client’s unique healing journey.
I engage in long-term, in-depth therapeutic work, as I believe healing is a non-linear process that unfolds over time. My practice is not geared toward short-term therapy, but toward sustained inner work that allows space for deep transformation.
What I Stand For
Inclusive & Intersectional
I recognize that our identities including race, caste, class, gender, sexuality, neurotype, and ability shape how we move through the world and how we experience mental health. I am committed to creating an affirming space that acknowledges systemic harm and honors lived experience.
Trauma-Informed
My approach is grounded in an understanding of how trauma, especially complex and relational trauma shapes the nervous system, emotional responses, and relationships. I work at your pace, with care and consent at the core of our process.
Curiosity & Collaboration
Therapy is not about having the right answers, instead it’s about asking the right questions together. I bring openness, curiosity, and humility to the process, working with you as a collaborator rather than an authority.
Client Centered
You are the expert of your own story. I will meet you where you are, tailoring the work to your needs, preferences, and readiness. Your voice and agency remain central throughout our work together.
Safety
Emotional and relational safety are foundational to the therapeutic process. I strive to create a space where you can show up fully without fear of judgment, pressure, or performance.
Authenticity
I bring my full, grounded self into the room, and I welcome yours. Therapy is most powerful when we’re able to be real not performative, not polished, just present and human.