Vaishnavi Bhaskar Dinakar, MAAT, AThR
Trauma Informed Art Psychotherapist in Singapore
Vaishnavi is a registered trauma-informed art psychotherapist and co-founder of Ayana Art Therapy. Her commitment to supporting others began at a young age through volunteering with children with special needs and individuals from less privileged backgrounds.
Inspired by her own experiences of trauma recovery and mental health, Vaishnavi pursued a BA in Psychology and an MA in Art Psychotherapy. Her work is grounded in a deep interest in the connection between trauma and the body, integrating creative expression with psychological support to help clients reconnect with themselves in safe and meaningful ways.
Drawing from both professional and lived experience, Vaishnavi is passionate about making therapy more accessible, affirming, and inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ community. She works especially with individuals navigating trauma, identity, relationships, and emotional overwhelm.
Vaishnavi believes healing happens through trust, safety, and collaboration. She offers a warm, non-judgmental space where clients can feel safe, seen, and celebrated, moving at their own pace toward recovery and growth.
Vaishnavi obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Murdoch University (Australia) before pursuing her Master’s degree in Art Psychotherapy at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore (2020), affiliated with Goldsmiths, University of London. She is a registered member of ANZACATA (Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association), Registration No. 56413215.
She is also the Head of the Ethics Committee for The Art Therapy Association of India (TATAI), where she contributes to the development of ethical standards for the profession in India.
Committed to ongoing learning, Vaishnavi regularly attends workshops, trainings, and seminars to deepen her practice and stay informed about current research and therapeutic approaches. Click here to view her continued professional development.
Alongside her private practice, Vaishnavi currently provides trauma-informed art psychotherapy at a Girl’s Residence (Singapore), supporting young people with complex trauma, attachment difficulties, and emotional regulation challenges.
She also works with Project X, an organisation supporting sex workers, where she facilitates trauma-informed art therapy groups and workshops aimed at building trust, safety, self-understanding, and access to mental health support.
These experiences continue to shape Vaishnavi’s practice and deepen her commitment to creating accessible, inclusive, and trauma-informed spaces for marginalised communities.
Vaishnavi’s approach is grounded in trauma-informed art psychotherapy, with a strong focus on trauma recovery and the connection between the mind and body. She believes therapy should feel safe, collaborative, and paced according to each person’s needs.
Using a range of art materials and creative processes, Vaishnavi supports clients in exploring their experiences in ways that may feel easier than words alone. Her work prioritizes trust, choice, autonomy, and empowerment, creating a therapeutic relationship where clients feel supported and in control of their own healing.
Alongside art psychotherapy, Vaishnavi integrates other evidence-based and body-based approaches, including Somatic Experiencing, trauma-informed yoga and meditation, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sandplay therapy, and Jungian psychology. She draws from these approaches flexibly to support each client in understanding and processing the impact 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
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.
