Sandy says, “I very much enjoy bringing together seemingly diverse threads from many domains and weaving it together in a holistic and comprehensive approach to psychotherapy. I like to blend seamlessly the psychological and spiritual. My ongoing personal journey and exploration with Presence, Mindfulness and Wisdom approaches informs me.”

About
Sandy is a Mindfulness and Presence Oriented Psychotherapist. With nineteen years of experience she works with a variety of clients. She is certified in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Integral Somatic Psychology, Biodynamic Cranio-Sacral Therapy. She also brings in Focusing Skills, Internal Family Systems and attachment work. She specializes in trauma resolution and attachment work.

Harini says: “To me, each day is about building and rebuilding a bridge to the place within myself that I call home—cozy as a womb and vast as eternity, embracing me and everyone as we are. It feels like a daily prayer, a meditation—sacred, committed, unambitious, yet fully trusting. Sometimes, during stormy times, it also requires the support of a compassionate companion. I’ve been blessed to experience this connection throughout my life and feel privileged to extend it to others. My wish is, ‘May all have well-being. May all be home.”

About: Harini is an Associate Therapist at Just Being and the Head (Adjunct) of Just Being’s Delhi Chapter. With extensive experience in individual and group therapy, she also supervises and teaches in the Mindfulness-Based Counseling Program and Presence Oriented Psychotherapy Program. With 8 years of experience in the field, Harini has contributed to diverse initiatives such as Group Therapeutic Spaces for parents, listening circles for grief, and organizational workshops.

Expertise: Supervision for therapists, counselors Grief support Trauma Resolution

Education/Training PHD in Education, University of Twente, Netherlands MSW, College of Social Work Nirmala Niketan PG Advanced Diploma in Presence-Oriented Psychotherapy, Just Being Center Pune and TISS, Mumbai Mindfulness-Based Counseling: Listening with Embodied Presence, Just Being Center and St. Mira’s College, Pune

Languages: English & Hindi

Ghazala practices a mindfulness and presence-oriented process with her work with adult clients. She offers movement and visual art modalities in her sessions. Her current focus is largely within trauma-informed and attachment work. She is also a focusing practitioner offering one-on-one sessions based on Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing modality. She has a Diploma in Counseling from TISS and a PG Diploma in Presence Oriented Psychotherapy jointly certified by Just Being, Pune and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Benaiza says: “Somewhere in today’s pace of life, I feel we have lost this sense of connection, with ourselves, with others, with nature, and our inherent interconnection and interdependence with each other. My intention with my clients is to co-create a safe space and meet ourselves exactly where we are and hopefully in that meeting, we feel seen and heard and held- safe enough to explore more about ourselves and to build and nurture the most precious relationship and to come home; to ourselves.”

About: Benaiza Shroff is a Counselor and Mindfulness Practitioner with over nine years of experience. With a deep connection to both psychology and spirituality, Benaiza integrates teachings from these fields with elements from yoga, movement, and art. She has worked as a school counselor and has been actively involved with ‘Connecting,’ an NGO that provides a helpline for suicide prevention, and ‘AKS,’ an NGO offering support for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Expertise: Suicide prevention Domestic violence Sexual abuse Relationship Issues Family Troubles

Education/Training Diploma in Counselling from TISS, Mumbai; PG Diploma in Mindfulness & Presence Oriented Psychotherapy from Just Being Center & TISS, Mumbai Applied Buddhist Psychology and Ethics from Pune University;

Languages: English & Hindi

Ashita says: “I believe in the inner wisdom of individuals and that everyone inherently are dynamic, intentional, and self-guiding. Through my offering, I aim to value the diverse life experiences and am committed to building authentic, compassionate therapeutic relationships that foster growth and transformation. I hope to guide individuals back to their inner resources of compassion and wisdom”

About: Ashita is an associate counselor at Just Being Center with a strong interest in helping individuals explore themselves, build self-awareness, and cultivate self-compassion. She believes in the inner wisdom of individuals and views everyone as dynamic, intentional, and self-guiding. Committed to building authentic, compassionate therapeutic relationships, Ashita fosters growth and transformation by guiding individuals back to their inner resources of compassion and wisdom.

Expertise: Anxiety, depression, loneliness Self-esteem issues Building self-awareness Interpersonal relationships Setting Boundaries Preventing burnout Relationship with food

Education/Training MA in Applied Psychology Trained in Mindfulness-Based Counseling Certified 200-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Currently pursuing a certificate course in Applied Buddhist Psychology

Languages: English & Hindi

Mary says: ‘The holding of listening spaces through the lens of mindfulness and presence, facilitates the individual to show up as they are. This attuned space not only facilitates the clients own exploration but also weaves in attitudes of kindness, self compassion, gratitude, which is the need of the hour’

About: Dr Mary Kuttikadan is a mindfulness based practitioner and Embodied Listening Facilitator with a background in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Her work involves assessment of neurodivergent children and supporting families in their journey. As a mindfulness based practitioner she also holds one on one and group spaces for Adults and adolescents.

While practicing as a developmental pediatrician since the last 7 years, she also noticed the need for a more holistic approach for supporting parents and children in her own practice. This led to exploring mindfulness based approaches leading to the presence oriented psychotherapy and RDI, which support her philosophy of supporting emotional health and embracing neurodiversity.

Expertise: As a mindfulness practitioner, Mary holds one on one as well as group listening spaces for adolescents and adults. Holding spaces for Grief Apart from that, Mary also conducts assessments and supports the diagnosis and management of neurodivergent individuals in her role as a developmental pediatrician

Education/Training Trained as a developmental and behavioural pediatrician. Trained as an RDI consultant for autism. Trained as a storyteller (Kathalaya Institute for Storytelling) Yoga instructor(The Yoga Institute) EQ facilitator (Equipoise Pvt Ltd). PG diploma in Mindfulness based Listening: Listening with Embodied Presence and is currently completing Advanced Training in Presence Oriented Psychotherapy.

Languages: English & Hindi

Suryatapa says: “My hope is that, through our work together, you come to know yourself more fully and begin to nurture a more compassionate and accepting relationship with yourself. I believe that compassion is not just a tool but a foundation for healing.”

About: My approach is rooted in mindfulness and presence-oriented psychotherapy. I draw eclectically from trauma-informed work, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and strength-based practices. I also incorporate somatic tools to support nervous system regulation and emotional grounding.

At the heart of my work is the intention to create a safe, collaborative space, one where you can gently reconnect with yourself, reflect, and begin to discover inner strength and self-compassion. I see therapy as a courageous journey of remembering, unlearning, and healing, and I feel honoured to walk alongside you in that process.

Expertise: Anxiety and stress Depression, low mood, and a sense of stuckness Relationship concerns Life-transitions Grief and loss self-worth Inner critic and self-compassion

Education/Training Advanced Training in Presence-Oriented Psychotherapy – Just Being Center, Pune M.A. in Applied Psychology – University of Calcutta B.A. (Hons.) in Applied Psychology – Amity University, Kolkata

Languages: English, Hindi & Bengali

Shiby says: “ My journey from being a Field Engineer, working in the social sector and into the field of Psychology, has supported me in coming closer to the qualities of Being. Seeing the world from a lens of interconnectedness and wholeness, I hope to extend this way of Being into the listening/counseling spaces I offer. This work is not just work for me but a way of living too. Coming back home to myself and to witness people do that too through these spaces is a privilege.”

About: Shiby is an embodied listening facilitator, counselor and a mindfulness practitioner who has been holding deep listening spaces for over four years with a Queer Affirmative lens. Supported by a consistent mindfulness practice, continued learning and a queer-affirmative perspective, Shiby is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment, meeting at the intersection, where all identities and experiences are honoured.

Shiby has assisted two batches of the Mindfulness based Listening with Embodied Presence course by Just Being Center and currently supports supervision spaces for the participants of the course. She also supports the coordination of the Counseling and Organizational Programs at Just being. Shiby has also been supporting the Training and Peer Mentoring at Connecting Trust, which is a non-judgmental, non-advisory listening service for those feeling low, distressed and/or suicidal.

Expertise: -Individuals working in Social Sector -Queer Affirmative -Suicide Prevention -Body Image -Anxiety -Grief

Education/Training Diploma in Integrative Counseling | Trained in Carkhauff’s model of counseling, REBT and TA Queer Affirmative Counselling Practice from Mariwala Health Initiative, Mumbai. 900hr certified Yoga teacher from The Yoga Institute, Mumbai MA in Psychology “PG Diploma in Mindfulness Based Listening with Embodied Presence” from Just Being Center in affiliation with St. Mira’s college for girls-Pune Pursuing ‘Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’ Nalanda Master’s course in Buddhist Studies

Languages: English & Hindi

Rucha is a Rehabilitation Council of India (R.C.I.) registered clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. Her Ph.D focused on application of mindfulness on adolescents. She has a PG Diploma in Buddhist Psychology and Psychotherapy from Pune University. She trained in ‘Mindfulness Educator Essentials’ from Mindful Schools and Positive Neuroplasticity training by Dr. Rick Hanson. She is doing a PG Diploma in Presence Oriented Psychotherapy that is jointly certified by Just Being, Pune and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Sarah is certified in “Mindfulness Based Listening with Embodied Presence” from Just Being Center in affiliation with St. Mira’s college for girls, Pune. She is a mindfulness based practitioner and is trained to hold a listening space that is grounded and empathetic, allowing and supporting the speaker’s process. She is currently pursuing a two year PG Diploma in ‘Mindfulness and Presence Oriented Psychotherapy’ jointly offered by Just Being Center and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Sarah has majored in Philosophy, with a gold medal, from the University of Delhi and has a one year PG Diploma in “Buddhist Psychology and Psychotherapy” from the University of Pune.