Meet Asian Australian Psychotherapist & Counsellor, Bharati Susarla

We know that it's not always easy trying to work out which therapist we might like to work with: Because the decision isn't just about where they're located and when they're available, but there's a bit more of a human, relational element to the decision too.

So here at Shapes and Sounds, we want to help make that process just a little easier.

Every month, we'll be introducing a therapist from the Asian Australian Mental Health Practitioner List to help you gain a bit more insight into who you feel might be a good fit for you or someone that you know.

This month we're excited to connect you with Bharati who is a Psychotherapist and Counsellor offering services in Wheelers Hill, VIC and Telehealth Australia-wide. We hope you enjoy connecting with Bharati below!

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1. What led you to choosing mental health as a career?

When I came across Psychology as a subject in year 12 many many many years ago, I was immediately drawn to it, as a way of better understanding the human mind. I became interested in mental health at the same time, as I witnessed people close to me suffering from clinical depression and not being adequately supported due to a lack of understanding of the cultural context of the client. Such lack of support only served to reinforce the stigma and shame they felt for not being mentally healthy. This developed into a very strong passion, as I recognised this to be an insidious and broader issue across the ethnic community.

I felt very strongly about wanting to improve the mental health outcomes for people from Asian or indeed all ethnic communities and believed that I could draw on my own personal exoeriences and cultural insights to offer much needed support as well as education to improve the mental health literacy among, particularly, Sth Asian communities.

2. What is your unique cultural heritage?

I am from India and migrated with my Parents at the age of 10. I identify myself as an Australian Indian.

3. What are your areas of specialty and what kind of frameworks do you work from?

Counselling and Psychotherapy. I work within an existential, Person centred framework, focussing on the here and now and integrate elements of narrative and psychodynamic therapy, I incorporate mindfulness, some somatic practices and a little bit of art expression. My work can be described as depth therapy, as I move beyond strategies for management of present issues, to help clients explore the deeper issues and experiences, and reconcile them with who they are in the present moment.

4. What kind of clients are you best able to support?

Clients with experience of complex trauma, FV Victims, Clients experiencing cross-cultural challenges, depression and anxiety and those experiencing relational problems

5. If you could be your own therapist right now, what do you think you would say to yourself?

Go easy on yourself, get to know who you are and learn to love yourself.

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Connect with Bharati via our Asian Australian Mental Health Practitioner List HERE.

Alternatively, if you feel like Bharati may be a good fit for someone that you know, be sure to forward this page on to them too. Let us continue to not only support ourselves but all those around us too!

If you require urgent assistance, please do not contact Bharati or any of the practitioners on this list. Instead, please call emergency services on 000 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Shapes and Sounds does not recommend or endorse Bharati or any of the practitioners listed on the Asian Australian Mental Health Practitioner List.

Please always consult your GP before making changes to your mental health care plan.