What is trauma?

Trauma. It is the Greek word for wound. One can have of a wound of the body or heart or mind. Different experiences can cause this wounding – loss, change, relationships, neglect, abandonment, rejection, betrayal, assault, abuse, sickness, death, violence, divorce, separation, life transitions, neglect, these are some experiences that can be experienced as traumatizing. This tells us that overwhelmingly many, if not all, experience trauma of some kind at some point in their lives. Sadly, for many, it is an ongoing experience.

Traumatic experiences also shatter one’s world and all that one believed was safe, trustworthy and secure, like relationships, love, family and community. Trauma destroys one’s sense of self, sense of belonging and sense of value and worth. In her seminal work, Trauma and Recovery, Judith Herman, a renowned psychiatrist says, ‘Traumatized people feel utterly abandoned, utterly alone, cast out of the human and divine systems of care and protection that sustain life.’ Individual experiences of trauma vary, but the far-reaching impact of trauma on one's body, mind, emotions and spirit, overwhelming one's social functioning, interpersonal relationships, sense of control and agency, speak of the pervasive nature of trauma.

Why do we exist?

With burgeoning numbers in the population with a trauma-based presentation, there is a felt need for more ‘trauma-informed’ and ‘trauma-focused’ interventions. While the gap to bridge is a huge one and will take its course of time, aarambha hopes to contribute to  this space. Innumerable people experience trauma but for whatever reason can’t or don’t express or process it. It is our desire to be part of the movement in India towards trauma-sensitivity and trauma healing.

Trauma is not a death sentence. Recovery is possible. We believe that a narrative of redemption and hope can yet be forged. Hence we as aarambha exist. To offer support and intervention in navigating life after trauma available to individuals and communities.

Who are we?

Started in 2018 in Bangalore, India, in collaboration with a colleague, aarambha is now headed by Shilpa Waghmare, a counselling psychologist who is passionate about helping others to heal from trauma, particularly sexual abuse. She has participated in a range of therapy approaches including drama, movement, besides traditional one-on-one counselling.  Bridge-builder between psychotherapy practices and faith communities. Proactive in helping both practitioners and public build better understanding of the effects of trauma and how to overcome.

Elsa Joseph

Elsa is a full time practicing counselor, working with adolescents and young adults as well as training in mental health. She strongly believes that therapy can help clients to process hurt from the past and to move forward to have healthy relationships with themselves and with others. Elsa is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and in Person Centered Therapy. Her focus is on empowering and motivating her clients, to tap into their capacity and desire for change and help turn that into action. Healing cannot be rushed - it is a journey, and understanding yourself is the first step. Vital to this, is providing a space where clients feel accepted, encouraged and validated.

 

Karolin Susan

Karolin has a Master’s in Counselling Psychology. As a neurodivergent person, her focus is on learning about the world of anxieties and its role in informing neurodivergence in persons (& vice versa). In her practice, she tries to embody the role of a relational therapist, holding onto the conviction that everything is in a relationship with the other, making it potent to either restore or fracture an individual. She takes as gospel that one’s environment takes the center stage in worsening or acquiring mental health conditions. To help understand people and concerns, she uses strength-based Humanistic approaches as a bedrock, providing a relational space for human layers to unravel beyond a good/bad narrative. She believes what Carl Rogers says, “People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don't find myself saying, "Soften the orange a bit on the right-hand corner." I don't try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.” In her previous life, she has taken up various roles catering to children and women from marginalized communities, focusing largely on education and rehabilitation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/karolinsusan/

The extended team:
We liaison with trained therapists and psychiatrists in Bangalore and across some cities in India. We support client needs at other locations through video online sessions.

The Advisory team of Consultants

Dr Janaki Rajagopalan, MD, DNB, MRCPsych, FRANZCP

Dr Janaki Rajagopalan is a private psychiatrist in Chennai and works for a few months a year in Australia. Having worked for the past 16 years in different parts of India and Australia and in varied settings, Dr Janaki has had the opportunity to experience the different aspects of mental health and its management. Her Areas of interest is long term psychodynamic therapy for personality disorders.

Dr Ashita Singh, MD Internal Medicine, MA Bioethics, National Fellowship in Palliative Medicine, Fellowship in General Infectious Diseases
Dr Ashita Singh is physician at Chinchpada Christian Hospital, a rural secondary level hospital. She is also head of EHA's palliative care service.
Roshni Mathew, BA, LLB, Lawyer - High Court, Mumbai
Roshni is a lawyer with experience in human rights which include work on anti human trafficking, protection of children from sexual offenses and sexual harassment at the workplace.
Selena George, MSW
Selena George is a medical and psychiatric social worker, and co-founder of the NGO headstreams (www.headstreams.org). Her primary focus has been to leverage opportunities for learning while incorporating principles of play for children’s upliftment and women’s health. She is passionate about systemic change towards affordable and accessible mental healthcare for all.