“One of my most important goals for the future is to help create ethical in-patient mental health care facilities in India.”
Entrepreneurs Today recently reached out to Kareena Mehta to learn more about her current work and vision.
A trauma-informed mental health therapist, Kareena is the founder of Kare Counseling, a private practice based in Nariman Point, Mumbai.
Since launching her practice last year, she has quickly established a full caseload, offering therapy to clients both locally and internationally. Her integrative therapeutic approach combines psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and person-centred therapy, enabling her to create personalised treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Kareena holds dual master’s degrees from Columbia University, along with specialisations in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and trauma-informed care from Trauma Institute International, underscoring her commitment to providing comprehensive mental health support.
True Calling
“I started Kare Counseling with the goal of transforming mental health care in India.”
Kareena’s inspiration to establish Kare Counseling came during her international education, where she encountered trauma-informed practices and ethical standards often lacking in India’s mental health system. In a freewheeling chat with the editorial team, she reveals,
“I wanted to bring those global best practices back home, especially since there is so much stigma around therapy and a lack of nuanced mental health care often prevents people from seeking help. My vision went beyond just offering therapy; I also wanted to advocate for better mental health infrastructure across the country.”
Kare Counseling embodies this mission, emphasising personalised and ethical therapy that promotes long-term healing for her clients.
A Service Unlike Others
Kare Counseling distinguishes itself through an integrative, trauma-informed approach to therapy. Kareena recognises that each client’s journey is unique, which drives her to customise therapeutic interventions tailored to their specific needs.
By combining psychodynamic therapy with evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), she ensures a comprehensive treatment plan.
Having trained abroad, Kareena brings a global perspective to her practice, aligning her care with international standards while remaining sensitive to the local context in India.
Her emphasis on trauma-informed care is still relatively new in the country, positioning Kare Counseling as a pioneering force in addressing the complexities of mental health in a culturally relevant manner.
Navigating Challenges
Kareena has encountered significant challenges in her journey as a mental health therapist in India, particularly concerning the stigma surrounding mental health.
Interviewer: What is the most common stigma you came across during your practice in India?
Kareena: “Many clients are hesitant to seek help due to societal pressure, so a significant part of my work has been educating the public. To address this, I’ve been actively involved in conducting workshops, especially in schools and colleges, to promote social-emotional learning from an early age and encourage more open conversations about mental health.”
Another notable challenge has been the lack of ethical in-patient care in the country. While she has not yet initiated her own in-patient facility project, she is committed to advocating for improved standards and collaborating with like-minded professionals to enhance the quality of mental health care available in India.
Celebrating Feats
“Success for me goes beyond just building a successful practice—it’s about seeing real, positive outcomes in my clients’ lives.”
Within just one year of launching Kare Counseling, she has built a full caseload, catering to both local and global clients while making significant strides in trauma-informed care.
Her workshops on social-emotional learning in schools have gained positive feedback, contributing to early mental health awareness among students. Kareena takes pride in having created a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe and supported. Additionally, she is in the preliminary stages of discussions aimed at reforming in-patient mental health care in India, aspiring to facilitate impactful changes in the future.
A New Dawn
Kareena has set ambitious goals for the future, primarily focusing on creating ethical in-patient mental health care facilities in India.
She aims to address the outdated and often harmful practices still prevalent in many facilities, such as shock therapy, by establishing centres that prioritise compassionate, trauma-informed care and adhere to modern mental health standards.
Although this initiative is a long-term project, Kareena is actively engaging in discussions with professionals and institutions to lay the groundwork for this vision.
Simultaneously, she plans to expand Kare Counseling by incorporating additional therapeutic techniques into her practice and continuing her advocacy for mental health awareness and reform. Through these efforts, she aspires to drive meaningful change in India’s mental health landscape.
To learn more about her services, visit Kare Counseling.
