Hi! My name is Shaurya Gahlawat. I am a Psychologist, Couples Therapist, Marriage Counselor, Professor, Corporate Consultant & Clinical Supervisor. Reading and writing is fuel to my soul. I love pilates, weight lifting, travelling, watching small town comfort TV, attending live stand up comedy, taking long walks with my dog and exploring our gorgeous nature! This year I received the ‘Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award‘ by Christ University.
My interest in psychology and psychotherapy stems from my own struggles of navigating through multiple life challenges, complex relationships and my passion to understand and help people. As a child, everything about the human mind and behavior would fascinate me. A few years ago, when I started seeing my therapist, I realized I would never forget how she made me feel- heard, seen, understood, unconditionally regarded, cared for and supportive in making the changes I wanted to. I knew that is exactly how I would like to make another person feel- whether it is my therapy clients, my counselling supervisees or my counselling psychology students. Each day, I feel honored to be a fellow traveller in the life journeys that my clients, patients and mentees undertake.
Now, I run a group practice with some amazing Psychologists, who I am proud of. My team therapists are kind, empathetic, skilled, non judgmental and maintain privacy & confidentiality. We all engage in personal therapy & professional supervision regularly, to ensure we provide the highest quality mental healthcare to our clients & patients.
I studied my under graduation at Hansraj College, Delhi University and my post graduation (Master of Science in Counselling Psychology) at Christ University. I also hold a PG Diploma from MICA in Digital Marketing and undertook an Executive Program from XLRI in Industrial & Organisational Psychology. I am now a life member of the Counselors Council of India.
● Treatment Strategies for Mood and Anxiety Disorders by American Psychiatric Association
● Mental health care for self and public during COVID-19 by American Psychiatric Association
● Suicide Prevention by QPR Institute
● Existential Well Being Counseling by KU Leuven
● Existential Therapy by Irvin D. Yalom
● Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress at work by The Greater Good Science Centre
● COVID-19 Preparedness by World Health Organisation
I am an existential therapist working through the person centred lens. My approach is collaborative and experiential. I focus on cultivating a safe therapeutic relationship with you, where you can explore your true self and practice living a life according to your personal values. I cultivate a non judgemental, empathetic space for you to listen to your inner self and be compassionate towards yourself and others. Together, we consciously work towards the life you want to build.
In my counselling & psychotherapy practice, I act as your mirror, reflecting back to you what you give me, in a more meaningful way. I ask questions to know you more and to help you know yourself. I discuss with you, the patterns and connections I notice which sometimes are hard for you to see because you are too close to them. Trauma informed, client centred and queer affirmative, I focus on understanding all your life aspects- your past, present and your future.
The major modalities I use are the:
1. Psychodynamic therapy- Insight driven, this school of psychotherapy helps you understand yourself, what has happened to you, why you are the way you are and how you are relating to your present life and circumstances or the influence of your past on your present. The goal is self awareness and emotional growth.
2. Existential therapy- Responsibility driven, this school of psychotherapy helps to work through life’s anxieties, accepting responsibility for your choices, finding meaning, building healthy relationships and living authentically. The goal is exploring your personal values, being in sync with your true self and building your life your way.
In therapy, I believe in teamwork- where you and I collaborate to understand you, and help you help yourself. The most important aspect of therapy to me, will always be our therapeutic relationship. This relationship is built on trust, focuses on your well being & growth and gives you a platform to be completely yourself.
While starting out our therapeutic/ counselling supervision work, to maintain regularity and for our work to be effective, I recommend the frequency of sessions to be at least once a week, preferably the same time each week. However, how often you would like to see me is completely up to you. I have an online calendar which makes booking a session easy, convenient and hassle free for you.
We offer therapy and coaching online to Indian adults between the ages of 20- 60, globally. We work with all genders & individuals from all walks of life.
While I work with most life and mental health challenges, the most common are:
● Anxiety
● Depression
● Relationship conflicts
● Trauma
● Grief and loss
● Self identity
● Self acceptance
● Premarital counseling
● Attachment
● Boundary setting
● Romantic breakups
● Separation / divorce
● Career changes
● Burnout
● Body image
● Eating Disorders
● Lifestyle changes
● Personal growth and development
We work online, over video calls. Hence, you can be anywhere in the world and all you need is high speed internet, a well functioning web camera with a microphone.