Know Our Experts

With 20+ years in the mental health trenches (US and India), Barkha is a Master’s-qualified Clinical Psychologist (University of Pune) and Counseling Psychologist (Texas Woman’s University, USA). She’s a Relational Cultural Therapist who dives deep into affect-oriented, process-based work – blending Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), EFT for Couples, and Gottman Method techniques to deliver real, lasting change for individuals, couples (straight or same-sex), families, and teams.

In 2020 she founded Unalome, pulling together psychologists for straightforward, process-driven therapy: individuals, couples (any configuration), families, groups. She leads with Relational Cultural Therapy, leans hard into Emotion-Focused approaches (including for couples) and keeps the team sharp through regular training.

Barkha is also the Founder Director of Aks Foundation, which is an NGO that provides compassionate, comprehensive services to those impacted by Gender Based Violence.   She is an expert consultant on POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment Law), POCSO (Protection of Children against Sexual Offences) and Mental Health with corporates and schools, around Pune city and across the country. 

In the US, she worked as a staff counselor with Denton County Friends of the Family, working specifically with trauma, and also pioneered Project REV – Resources for Ending Violence – as a campus counselor. 

In the past Barkha has headed the Counselling Department at Mercedes-Benz International School (Now MIS) for 8 years and worked primarily with children and families.

Beyond the credentials, Barkha brings wit, warmth, and zero fluff to every room. When she’s not dismantling stigma or empowering teams, she’s solo-traveling, devouring global cuisines, secretly writing stand-up material (still waiting for the debut), or doting on her retrievers, Zimbardo and Zoe.    

Additional Trainings & Certifications:  

• Transform Trauma Conference 2025. Seminars attended with Richard Schwartz, Esther Perel, Frank Anderson and Ruth Cohn – Oxford University, UK.
• Advanced Certifications in Trauma Therapy. 5-day workshop with Bessel Van Der Kolk – Cape Cod Institute, MA, USA.
• Certificate in Emotion-Focused Therapy (Level 1+). 3-day workshop in Caperspring, Singapore through the Association of Emotion Focused Therapy, USA.
• International Child Protection Leadership – SAIBSA New Delhi, India.
• IB Psychology Teacher Training – Zurich, Switzerland.
• Specialized Domestic Violence Intervention – DCFOF, Texas, USA.
• AAIE – The Association of Advancement of International Education – International Child Protection Leadership Certification – 2 day workshop, 2016.  
• Certificate course in Narrative Therapy – Ummeed Child Development Centre – 2-day workshop, Oct 2015.  
• International Baccalaureate workshop – IB DP Psychology workshops – Category 1 (Zurich, 2012) and Category 2 (Hong Kong, 2014). 
• International Baccalaureate certificate in International Mindedness – Renaissance College Hong Kong, Oct 2011. 
• 4th Annual Statewide BIPP Conference – Battering Intervention and Prevention Program Conference – for continued education in working with perpetrators of domestic violence, Apr 2007. 
• Training on Diversity in the workplace at Friends of the Family, Sept 2007.  
• Workshop on working with Self Injurers- University of Behavioural Health, Jun 2007. 
• Using strengths to work with Domestic Violence Workshop, July 2007. 
• The Broader Scope of Relationship Violence Conference, Oct 2007.