Our Team

Mindtemple uses a client-centered approach, ensuring complete confidentiality, providing a safe space where you can share your concerns openly. Our aim is to help you reduce or eliminate the distressing aspects of your life, thereby experiencing an emotionally empowered and happier life.

Dr. Anjali Chhabria

Dr Anjali Chhabria, a leading psychiatrist and psychotherapist of India, is recognized for her outstanding contribution to the field of mental health. She finished MBBS from J.J. Group of Hospitals in the 1985 and MD from Nair Charitable Hospital in 1990 and also has a Diploma in Psychotherapy. She founded the Mindtemple Clinic in 2005. She is the director of Mindtemple Institute of Behavioral Sciences which provides holistic solutions for workplace mental health to corporates in India.

Dr. Chhabria served on the board of the Children’s Film Society and is currently a director on the Salaam Bombay Foundation. A regular columnist, she continues to be a household name through her regular contributions to newspapers, magazines and interviews on television and radio. She has graced the panels on various television shows like Satyamev Jayate and has spoken at Tedx Christ University and Tedx Youth SIS Mumbai. She conducts workshops on mental health and emotional hygiene across schools, colleges, institutions and corporate houses. She combines age-old traditional treatments like hypnosis with cutting-edge innovative treatment modalities including Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).

Dr. Chhabria is the author of the book “Death Is Not the Answer,” which breaks the taboo on discussing the sensitive subject of suicide and provides the readers with ways to prevent it.

Dr Prerna Khar

MBBS, MD Psychiatry, Post-Doctoral Fellow- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Dr Prerna Khar has done her MBBS and MD (Psychiatry) from B.J. Government Medical college, Pune. She has an overall clinical experience of 8 years with 7 years specialized experience in Psychiatry. She has worked at Sion hospital, the Deaddiction centre at KEM Hospital and at the School Mental Health Clinic at Nair Hospital. During her residency training in Psychiatry, she developed a keen interest in child and adolescent mental health which made her pursue a Post- Doctoral Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Nair Hospital, Mumbai. She has experience in working with children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Specific Learning Disorders and Intellectual Developmental Disorders) as well as those having behavioural and emotional issues such as depression and anxiety. She is the first Indian to receive the prestigious Howard Cooper Travelling Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2021, awarded by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANCZP). She has a holistic approach and uses both pharmacotherapy as well as psychotherapy/counselling in helping children and adolescents.

Apart from children and adolescents, her interests include women’s mental health, addictive disorders and geriatric mental health. During her residency and subsequent tenure at various BMC Hospitals, she has worked with individuals across all age groups having anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar mood disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders and substance abuse. She has visited shelter homes for women rescued from trafficking and helped in their mental and emotional health. She has also conducted support groups for individuals with substance abuse, as well as for their caregivers. She strongly believes in gender diversity and inclusivity and has undergone training in being a Gender Affirmative Therapist.

She has been a visiting consultant at the Rotary Club Charitable Centre since the past one year.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, as her hospital was a dedicated covid Centre (the first in India), she helped in managing the emotional and mental health of patients admitted. She also facilitated grief support groups under Mindtemple and Madat Trust in order to help individuals cope with their loss, as social support was largely affected during this period.

In addition, she has research papers in various journals to her credit and has also co- authored text book chapters featuring in national and international publications.

Anisha Jain

Anisha is the Head Psychologist at Mindtemple, with 12 years+ experience. She is qualified and trained in dealing with all types of mental health conditions. Her expertise includes counselling and therapy (individual, family, parent-adolescent, marital & pre-marital) as well as psychological testing (emotional, behavioural, personality). She has in-depth knowledge, skills and experience in counselling individuals of varied age groups (adolescent to geriatric) suffering from clinical disorders such as depression, anxiety, phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, biploar disorder, as well as other life issues of aggression/ anger concerns, work-life stress, relationship issues, LGBTQIA+ related issues, low self-esteem, poor time management, ineffective communication, and other emotional maladjustments.

Her aim is to facilitate individuals in experiencing an emotionally empowered, healthier and happier life journey. Depending upon the individual case and complexity of the problem, she uses single therapy or amalgamates the most effective techniques and concepts of several therapies such as CBT/ REBT, Insight-oriented therapy, Supportive therapy, Solution-Focused Brief therapy, Relaxation Therapy, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, Transaction Analysis, DBT, Gestalt Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Life Skills in her treatment plans to achieve the desired outcome.

She also gives expert opinions in eminent columns of BT, TOI, ET, Sindhian Magazine, Free Press Journal etc. to spread awareness, reduce the bias/ stigma associated with mental health disorders and help individuals/ caregivers to identify problems and seek timely treatment. She was recently a panellist for International Certified Career Coach on ‘Importance Of Emotional Well-being’ during pandemic, for over 500 educators. She has also conducted webinars for employees of a leading IT company. She is also one of the facilitators of Mindtemple’s successfully running Counselling Course (basic and advanced). She has also contributed to India’s first book on suicide ‘Death is not the Answer’, authored by Dr. Anjali Chhabria.

Kanan Kanakia

MSc Psychotherapy & Counseling
Senior Psychotherapist and Counselor

Kanan has been trained under Dr. Aaron Beck for advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for depression and anxiety from the Beck Institute, Philadelphia,USA.

Her areas of expertise include working working with children and young adults at all levels – from Depression , Anxiety, OCD , academic achievements to cognitive training; from increasing the Emotional Quotient (EQ) to life style designing – for a holistic development.

Also a B.Ed in Education and RCI certified in special education she is trained specially to tackle children of all ages, she uses different approaches like Art therapy, Play therapy, Music therapy and Brain Gym activities, mentalization and family therapy.

She has done her specialization in Marital counseling from Gottman Institute USA enhancing her proficiency in marital and pre marital counseling. She practices extensively with individuals on all levels of partnership – from assessing compatibility to developing meaningful partnerships.

Additionally, Kanan is a trained and certified Hypnotherapist from California Hypnotherapy Institute, and a certified Graphanalyst and Graphotherapist – skills that aid her in effective counseling.

A corporate trainer , having trained the top management in multinational corporates.

Her conceived and conceptualised courses in counselling, basic and advanced levels have received an ocean of brilliant appreciation. She also conducts workshops for enhancing multiple intelligences for all age groups based on Howard Gardner’s philosophy.

Kanan has contributed towards the book Death Is Not the Answer authored by Dr. Anjali Chhabria.

Forum Gala

Masters in Applied Psychology (Spl. Clinical Psychology, Mumbai University)QPR training in Suicide Prevention
Senior Psychologist

Forum believes in creating a collaborative as well as a creative space for her clients to explore and learn more about themselves. Her interest lies in working towards building effective mental health resources. Using an eclectic approach, she makes therapy an accessible tool for all age groups. Over the years she has worked with people facing emotional, behavioral, cognitive, personality and grief related issues. She has completed her QPR training in Suicide Prevention, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders along with other traditional psychotherapies. She regularly gives her inputs in mental health related articles and also has series of podcasts on Spotify called Mental Tea where she is the psychology expert. She conducts workshops and webinars for corporates, schools and colleges. She has been an invited speaker on mental health related topics at institutes and organizations such as IIT Goa, IIM Calcutta and Teach for India, to name a few. Having worked with Dr. Anjali Chhabria on her book Death is Not the Answer as well as a chapter on Post-Partum Depression, Forum shares her views in her blog www.candyflossandbridges.blogspot.com as well.

She goes by this philosophy “labels are for jars and not people” thus working towards destigmatizing seeking mental health help!

Chaitali Hirani

Chaitali Hirani holds a master’s degree in applied psychology. She is trained in various schools of psychotherapy as well as psychometric testing. She specializes in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), InterPersonal Therapy (IPT), Rational-Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). She is also proficient at using various Stress Management techniques. She works with the objective of helping clients become their own therapists – being able to independently face & resolve issues. Her area of expertise includes dealing with issues related to mood, personality, behaviour, anxiety and marital discord. She has extensive experience in dealing with children, especially adolescents. Having worked at Mindtemple since 2015, she strives to make a positive difference in people’s lives through her work.

Diya Khatri

Diya first developed an interest in psychology at the age of 16 while interning at Mindtemple. As part of her responsibilities, she coordinated appointments, observed testing sessions, and engaged with clients. Through several client interactions, she discovered her purpose in helping others aid themselves.

Diya has completed her Master of Arts in Psychology from Maniben Nanavati Women’s College (M.N.W.C). As a part of her course curriculum, she interned at J.J. Hospital and Mindtemple aiming to fill the rhetoric-action gap on a diverse population. She is trained and experienced in conducting and reporting of various psychological assessments (intelligence, cognitive, emotional and behavioral). A few modalities she incorporates in therapy sessions are Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Play Therapy. Additionally, she uses elements of Structural Family Therapy (SFT), Gestalt Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Mindfulness aiming to process clients’ concerns with a holistic lens.

Her practice includes working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, difficult life transitions, feeling “stuck” or seeking a higher quality of life, obsessive compulsive disorder and stress management. Moreover, she finds meaning in working with clients from diverse age groups with a focus on adolescents. It is deeply important to her to provide an affirming and welcoming space for individuals with diverse sexual and gender identities. Her approach is highly personalized, collaborative while integrating innovative and evidence-based techniques to help clients understand their needs and achieve their goals.

Following her deep passion for learning, Diya along with her colleagues under the guidance of the faculty at M.N.W.C published a research paper exploring factors related to social media and life satisfaction. For her thesis, she focused on studying the unique experiences of the Indian gay population. As she progresses in her career, she hopes to engage with members of the LGBTQ+ spectrum to pave a way towards widespread acceptance. Understanding the need of the hour, she has co-facilitated the ‘COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Support Group’. She aspires to broaden her perspective through education and experience.

Neeta Mutreja

Neeta Mutreja (universal Maasi) helps in managing the smooth adminstrative functioning of the clinic. She has been with us for close to 6 years now and is a dear amongst the clinic team as well as the clients

Meher Nariman

Meher has been part of our team for over six years, looking over the administration and accounts of the rTMS treatment at the clinic.

Pradeep Mandal

Pradeep helps around with clinic needs and demands, and is also a trained technician in the administration of rTMS and tDCS treatments.

Priyanka Bhutal

Priyanka helps around with clinic needs and demands, and is also a trained technician in the administration of rTMS and tDCS treatments.

Khushi Sahani

Khushi ensures smooth coordination and scheduling of appointments at the clinic. She oversees office administration, accounts processes, and standardization of the same.

Neeta Desai

Neeta ensures smooth coordination and scheduling of appointments at the clinic.

Ashish Thakur

Ashish has completed his MA in Counseling in Mental Health and Wellness from New York University. Having interned at the Crime Victim’s Treatment Center (a trauma intensive site), at the Mount Sinai West & St. Luke’s Hospitals in New York, USA, his training included the use of Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Therapy (AEDP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Parts work. Major areas of his study, skillset and expertise include Trauma work, Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Suicidology, Childhood issues and Gay & Lesbian youth. Ashish uses Carl Roger’s human-centered approach to guide his practice and create the most effective therapeutic bond. Ashish’s work with trauma survivors focuses on enabling identification, becoming aware of, acknowledging and creating a balance, between the past that informs and how it shapes the present. This enables comprehension and processing of past impact, with ‘current’ realities and experiences and initiates the aspect of “how to respond to the past as it manifests in the present in the form of physical, mental, emotional and psychological symptoms.” In addition, he has employed the use of positive psychology to counsel youth and young adults in the course of his work with National NGO’s and International affiliates. Ashish has facilitated and supervised numerous grief support groups. An integral part of his work has included mental health destigmatization, capacity building and advocacy programs and workshops for corporate entities, educational institutes. Ashish has contributed to Dr. Anjali Chhabria’s book ‘Death is Not the Answer’ and the US publication “Surviving During A Pandemic” (diopress.com).

Pia Thakural

Pia is a qualified and compassionate psychologist with a strong educational background. She completed her undergraduate degree in BSc at University of Toronto, where she developed a solid foundation in psychology. Building upon her knowledge, she pursued a Master’s degree in clinical psychology at Maniben Nanavati Women’s College, affiliated with SNDT.

Equipped with a diverse skill set, Pia is proficient in both psychological testing and counselling. She possesses expertise in administering assessments and evaluations to gain a comprehensive understanding of her clients’ needs. Furthermore, she excels in providing counselling and therapy, utilising an eclectic approach that incorporates various therapeutic modalities. Pia places a greater emphasis on person-centred therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused therapy, and play therapy.

Pia’s experience extends to working with individuals across various age groups, with a particular focus on children and young adults. Her genuine passion for helping young minds navigate the challenges of life drives her commitment to their well-being. Recognizing the importance of establishing a safe and supportive environment, Pia strives to create a secure space where her clients can openly express themselves. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship, she aims to help individuals discover their innate strengths and resources. Pia’s ultimate goal is to empower her clients by equipping them with the necessary tools to shape a brighter future.

Shivani Mehta

Shivani is a dual master’s degree holder, having completed her master’s in both Clinical Psychology and Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Mumbai. Her extensive academic background lays a robust foundation for her expertise in the psychological field.

With a specialization in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT), and solution-focused therapy, Shivani has honed a diverse skill set that enables her to address a wide array of psychological issues with precision and effectiveness.

Shivani’s clinical practice predominantly focuses on individuals ranging from young adulthood to middle age. She excels in customizing therapeutic interventions, meticulously tailored to each client’s unique circumstances, following comprehensive assessments and evaluations. Her approach ensures that the specific needs and goals of her clients are met with personalized care and strategic insight.

Throughout her professional journey, Shivani has effectively managed cases involving anxiety, depression, behavioural issues, addiction, and trauma. Her professional demeanour and empathetic approach establish a foundation of trust and safety, enabling clients to address their challenges and build resilience.

Dr. Anjali Chhabria
Founder

Dr Prerna Khar
Psychiatrist

Anisha Jain
Lead Senior Psychologist

Kanan Kanakia
Senior psychotherapist

Forum Gala
Senior Psychologist

Chaitali Hirani
Senior Psychologist

Ashish Thakur
Senior Psychologist

Diya Khatri
Psychologist

Pia Thakural
Psychologist

Shivani Mehta
Psychologist

Neeta Mutreja
Administrator

Meher Nariman
Administrator

Pradeep Mandal
Technician

Priyanka Bhutal
Technician

Khushi Sahani
Administrator

Neeta Desai
Administrator

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Our Team

Dr. Anjali Chhabria Founder

Dr Prerna Khar Psychiatrist

Anisha Jain Lead Senior Psychologist

Kanan Kanakia Senior psychotherapist

Forum Gala Senior Psychologist

Chaitali Hirani Senior Psychologist

Ashish Thakur Senior Psychologist

Diya Khatri Psychologist

Pia Thakural Psychologist

Shivani Mehta Psychologist

Neeta Mutreja Administrator

Meher Nariman Administrator

Pradeep Mandal Technician

Priyanka Bhutal Technician

Khushi Sahani Administrator

Neeta Desai Administrator