Swaatantra began with something Bhargavi noticed over and over: how much people carry silently, and how rarely they have somewhere to put it down. Not everyone in pain needs a doctor. A lot of people just need one hour where nobody is trying to solve them.
Certified Lay Counsellor — NIMHANS, Samadhana Counselling Centre. Certified Wellbeing Volunteer (WBV) — NIMHANS. Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper — NIMHANS. Diploma in Community Mental Health — NIMHANS (in progress). This training is built around supportive listening, recognising when someone needs professional mental health care, and referring them well. She is not a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. She does not diagnose, prescribe, or treat. Knowing the edge of what she does is part of the training, and she doesn't work past it.
Sessions with Bhargavi Shrie are one hour long, available online or in person. What you choose to bring is entirely up to you — there's no intake form to complete, no specific framework to adhere to, and no homework is assigned. Everything you share remains confidential, with two exceptions: if there's a serious risk to your safety or someone else's, or if there's a legal obligation to disclose. Bhargavi will inform you if such a situation arises, ensuring that you are aware rather than acting without your knowledge. This approach is designed to provide effective mental health support through Swaatantra counselling.
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