Vaishnavi B. Dinakar MAAT, AThR
Vaishnavi’s commitment to helping others started at a young age when she volunteered with special needs children and those from less fortunate backgrounds. Her own experiences with trauma recovery and mental health inspired her to pursue an education in BA Psychology and an MA in Art Psychotherapy allowing her to channel her passion for helping others into her profession. Through her healing journey, she developed a keen interest in the connection between trauma and the body, which she brings to her clients through her work in art therapy.
With a deep commitment to supporting individuals facing complex trauma, she is driven by a passion to provide psychological support. As an active member of the LGBTQIA+ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ community, she is particularly dedicated to making art therapy accessible and inclusive for the queer community.
Vaishnavi believes in the power of art therapy to provide both psychological and creative support, offering a holistic approach to healing for the body, mind, and soul.
Vaishnavi obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Murdoch University (Australia) before pursuing her Master’s degree in Art Psychotherapy with LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore (2020), affiliated with Goldsmiths, University of London. To enhance her skills and knowledge, she attends workshops and seminars as she is committed to providing high-quality services and staying up-to-date with the latest research and therapeutic practices in the field of psychotherapy. Click here to see her continued professional development.
Vaishnavi’s therapeutic approach is centered around trauma-informed art psychotherapy and trauma recovery, which prioritizes trust and safety for her clients. Using various art materials and techniques, she fosters a collaborative and empowering therapeutic relationship based on safety, autonomy, and choice. Vaishnavi also incorporates other evidence-based therapy techniques and theories such as Somatic Experiencing, trauma informed yoga meditation, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems among others, to help her clients identify and process the specific effects of trauma on their lives.
- Anxiety
- Anger management
- Addictions
- Burnout
- Complex Trauma
- Cultural issues & intersectionality
- Chronic pain
- Caregiver stress
- Cancer recovery
- Depression
- Domestic/Relationship Violence
- Dissociation
- Family and Relationship Issues
- Grief and Loss
- Gender & Sexuality
- Identity
- Sexual Health
- Self-harm
- Spirituality and Well-being
- Trauma, PTSD and/or other trauma and stressor-related mental health conditions
Vaishnavi strongly believes that by prioritizing trust, safety, and collaboration, she fosters a therapeutic relationship where clients feel empowered to navigate their trauma and discover their own path to healing.
Testimonials
Working with Vaishnavi as my art therapist has been an incredibly rewarding experience. She has a remarkable ability to create a safe and nurturing space where I feel comfortable exploring my emotions through art. Her professionalism and expertise in the field of art therapy have been evident throughout our sessions, and I have always felt supported and understood by her. I highly recommend Vaishnavi to anyone seeking a compassionate and skilled art therapist.
I have had the pleasure of working with Vaishnavi for several months now, and I cannot speak highly enough of her as an art therapist. She brings a level of kindness and empathy to our sessions that has allowed me to open up and express myself and understand myself in ways I never thought possible. Her ability to listen and provide insightful feedback has helped me to better understand my emotions and thoughts. I;m grateful for all the support she has provided me in our sessions.
As someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression for years, finding the right therapist can be a daunting task. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to stumble upon Vaishnavi. She has a unique ability to blend her expertise in art therapy with her natural compassion and kindness. Her gentle guidance and unwavering support have been instrumental in my healing journey, and I cannot recommend her enough.
Vaishnavi has an innate ability to create a welcoming and supportive environment where I feel comfortable exploring my deepest emotions. Her professionalism and expertise in the field of art therapy are apparent in everything she does, and I have always felt respected and valued as a client. My sessions with Vaishnavi has made a profound impact on my life.