Ritika Kakde
I am a counselling psychologist who works with adults navigating anxiety, relationship difficulties, self-worth, and the patterns that leave them feeling stuck in their lives. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful and self-aware, but still find themselves repeating the same dynamics in relationships or struggling to treat themselves with the same compassion they offer others. My approach is collaborative and active. I aim to help you understand not only what is happening, but also why those patterns continue and how they can begin to change.
What I believe therapy is for.
I see therapy as a place where insight and action work together. Understanding why you think, feel, or respond in certain ways is important, but lasting change usually comes from taking small, manageable steps that gradually reshape those patterns. I do not believe people need to transform overnight. Instead, I focus on helping you build enough awareness to notice what is happening in the moment, and enough confidence to respond differently, one step at a time. I see therapy as a collaborative process where we make sense of your experiences together and find ways of moving forward that feel realistic and sustainable.
What therapy feels like with me.
No two sessions with me look exactly the same because I try to match what you need on that particular day. Some sessions are slower and focused on making sense of difficult emotions. Others are more active, where we notice patterns, ask challenging questions, and think together about different ways of responding. I am comfortable sitting with difficult feelings without rushing to solve them, but I will also gently point out patterns that may be keeping you stuck.
The first session.
The first session is about getting to know you rather than trying to cover your entire life story. We'll begin by talking through confidentiality, how therapy works, and any questions you may have before exploring what brought you to therapy now. I'll ask about your current concerns, your goals, and any background that feels relevant, but you never have to share more than you're ready to. Towards the end of the session, we'll reflect on what we've understood so far, discuss whether we feel like a good fit, and decide together what the next steps might look like.
Whether we are a good match.
Who I work best with
I work best with people who recognise themselves in experiences like these:
- You spend a lot of time worrying about what other people think of you.
- You find yourself repeating the same patterns in friendships or romantic relationships, even when you know they are hurting you.
- You struggle to see your own worth, despite reassurance from others.
- You are often the one trying to keep relationships together while your own needs are left behind.
- You think deeply about yourself but feel frustrated that insight alone has not created change.
- You want therapy that explores both where these patterns come from and how to respond differently in everyday life.
Where I may not be the best fit
I may not be the best fit if you are looking for immediate crisis support or need a level of care that requires psychiatric or in-person intervention. In those situations, a clinician or service that can provide more intensive support would serve you better. My practice is also focused on individual therapy with adults, so I do not offer couples therapy or therapy for children. If I believe another clinician is better suited to your needs, I will always discuss that openly and help guide you towards appropriate support.
The things people bring me.
Primary areas of focus
- Relationship and interpersonal difficulties
- Self-worth and self-esteem
- Attachment patterns
- Anxiety and overthinking
- Emotional regulation
Secondary areas of focus
- Family relationships and boundaries
- Life transitions
- Stress and burnout
- Grief and loss
- If I had to name one area that sits at the centre of my practice, it would be helping people understand the relationship patterns they keep returning to. Whether those patterns show up in romantic relationships, friendships, or family dynamics, we work towards understanding where they began, what keeps them going, and how they can gradually begin to change.
- “I worry too much about what other people think of me.”
- “I don't know why my confidence depends so much on other people's approval.”
- “I overthink every conversation after it happens.”
- “I keep putting everyone else's needs before my own.”
- “I find it hard to say no without feeling guilty.”
- “I understand my problems, but I still can't seem to change them.”
- “I don't know who I am outside of taking care of other people.”
The shape of the work.
Modalities I use
- Relational Therapy: We pay attention to the patterns that develop in your relationships, including how they may also show up between us in therapy. This helps us understand long-standing ways of relating and experiment with something different.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): When practical strategies are useful, we identify the thoughts and behaviours that keep certain patterns going and experiment with small, realistic changes between sessions.
- Psychodynamic Therapy (currently in further training): This approach helps us understand how earlier experiences continue to influence your emotions, relationships, and sense of self today. I draw on these ideas where appropriate.
Session style
My sessions are collaborative and moderately structured. We usually begin with what feels most important to you that week while keeping sight of the larger themes we are working towards. I ask questions, reflect patterns I notice, and sometimes offer perspectives that may challenge how you see a situation. If it feels helpful, we may agree on something small to observe or try between sessions. I take brief notes to help track our work over time and use silence intentionally rather than leaving you alone in it.
Longer work
Long-term work with me usually begins by understanding the difficulties that feel most immediate before gradually exploring the patterns underneath them. As therapy progresses, we often notice recurring themes across different aspects, and the ways you respond to yourself during difficult moments. We regularly pause to review how therapy is feeling, whether your goals have changed, and what progress looks like for you. When the time comes to end therapy, we plan that process together so it feels thoughtful rather than abrupt, with enough space to reflect on what has changed and what you want to carry forward.
What I actually have experience with.
Working with LGBTQIA+ clients
I welcome LGBTQIA+ clients into my practice and aim to provide respectful, non-judgemental care. I work to understand each client's experiences within the context of their relationships, identity, family, and social environment.
Working with neurodivergent clients
I have worked alongside special education teams in schools, supporting children with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia through therapeutic interventions and behavioural support. In my current practice, I also work with adults who have neurodivergent traits or existing diagnoses, adapting sessions to their individual needs. This may include providing more structure, adjusting the pace of sessions, offering clear summaries, and remaining flexible in how conversations unfold. I do not provide diagnostic assessments, but I can support clients in understanding and working with their neurodivergence in therapy.
Couples and relational work
Individual work only
Training, registration and practicalities.
| Qualifications | M.Sc. in Counselling Psychology, (IIPR, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Registration | Not applicable |
| Certifications and further training | Not applicable |
| Years of experience | Three years of post-qualification practice with Fenweh, educational settings, and multidisciplinary work. |
| Supervision | I work within regular supervision. |
| Languages | English, Hindi, Marathi |
| Online or in person | I currently work online with adult clients. Online therapy allows us to meet consistently, even if you travel, relocate, or have a busy schedule. If I believe your needs would be better supported through in-person or more intensive care, I will discuss that with you openly. |
| Availability and fees | Accepting new clients. Session availability from Monday to Sunday, with evening appointments available and day appointments based on requirement. Online sessions are available for clients across India and internationally, subject to time zone compatibility. Session length: 50 minutes. Fee: ₹1200 If cost is a concern, you're welcome to ask about concession slots if available. We can discuss what is possible. |
What sits behind how I practise.
What I value in the work
Three values shape the way I practise. The first is curiosity. Rather than rushing to conclusions, I want to understand how your experiences make sense in the context of your life. The second is honesty. If I notice a pattern or something that feels important, I'll share it thoughtfully instead of avoiding difficult conversations. Finally, I value seeing people as more than their symptoms. Your relationships, culture, history, and circumstances all matter, and I try to hold that complexity rather than reducing your experiences to a diagnosis.
Books that shaped how I work
- Love's Executioner by Irvin D. Yalom shaped how I think about the therapeutic relationship and the importance of meeting each client as a unique individual rather than as a diagnosis.
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb reminds me of the shared humanity that exists between therapist and client, and the value of approaching therapy with humility.
Answered in my words.
If you are in immediate danger or worried you might act on thoughts of harming yourself, please contact Tele-MANAS (14416 or 1-800-89-14416, available 24×7 across India) or your local emergency services.
