Inner-Connect is a professional psychological counselling Centre Co-founded by Dr. Varudhini Kankipati and Shalini Gianchandani.
The idea to collaborate was seeded when the founders realized that they shared a common concern about Psychological counselling not being a regulated profession in India and that there was a need to adhere to a strict code of ethical framework to provide professional counselling services. As more and more people reach out to psychologists today, a Centre that values clients’ need for qualified therapy, research based practices, confidentiality and upholding the principle of unconditional positive regard (non-judgmental view of client) is a pressing priority.
Both Shalini and Varu have experience in complementary fields of social work and psychology disciplines, and are able to bring a unique blend of expertise and experience to provide a high standard of Psychological counselling services. In addition, the centre not only provides therapy but also facilitates the necessary psychometric testing and accompanying assessments, all under one roof.
Cofounder Dr. Varudhini Kankipati
Inner-Connect is a professional online psychological counselling platform founded by Dr. Varudhini Kankipati. She believes strongly in making quality mental health care accessible to a large population, by utilizing technology for online consultation.
Dr. Kankipati feels there is a lack of qualified and professional therapists who are trained to provide proper care as the number of people experiencing mental health issues is on the rise. LivAhead is an effort to minimize this gap.
Dr. Kankipati is an experienced therapist with extensive knowledge of behavioral health issues & symptoms management through a combination of therapy & medication. She follows a holistic treatment / team approach and has much experience with CBT, Gestalt, REBT, etc. working in conjunction with therapists and psychiatrists. Dr. Kankipati’s treatment philosophy is influenced by her belief in the importance of treating patients through a systems perspective.
Dr. Kankipati received her doctorate from University of Kentucky, USA and her Masters from Montfort College, India. She has over 18 years of professional counselling experience in India, U.S.A and Canada. She has worked with NGOs, corporates, schools/universities, hospitals and individuals conducting workshops and counselling. Dr. Kankipati is co-founder of Inner-Connect, onsite counselling center, in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. She works closely with LivAhead therapists, to ensure they maintain a high & ethical standard of therapeutic service. She provides supervision and support to the counsellors. She also provides ongoing training & skill development to our therapists.
Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy, PhD – Family & Human Sciences, University of Kentucky Masters- Family & Marriage Therapy, Mont Fort Bachelors -Sociology, Psychology & Economics, Mount Carmel
Experience
Over 18 years of professional counselling experience in India, U.S.A and Canada.
Cofounder Dr. Varudhini Kankipati
Dr. Varudhini Kankipati, Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist who specializes in individual, family and group psychotherapy, working with children, adolescents, and adults. Her experience in behavioral health and psychotherapy counselling ranges from working with individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, attention issues, addiction, abuse, grief and loss, adjustment issues, marriage and relationship issues, family developmental problems, conflict resolution to trauma and crisis management.
Dr. Kankipati is an experienced therapist with extensive knowledge of behavioral health issues & symptoms management through a combination of therapy & medication. She follows a holistic treatment / team approach and has much experience with CBT, Gestalt, REBT, etc. working in conjunction with therapists and psychiatrists. Dr. Kankipati’s treatment philosophy is influenced by her belief in the importance of treating patients through a systems perspective.
Dr. Kankipati received her doctorate from University of Kentucky, USA and her Masters from Montfort College, India. She has over two decades of professional counselling experience in India, U.S.A and Canada. She has worked with NGOs, corporates, schools/universities, hospitals and individuals conducting workshops and counselling. Dr. Kankipati is the primary counselor and part of teaching staff at NALSAR, Hyderabad. She works closely with all our therapists, to ensure they maintain a high & ethical standard of therapeutic service. She provides supervision and support to the counsellors. She also provides ongoing training & skill development to our therapists.
Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy, PhD – Family & Human Sciences, University of Kentucky Masters- Family & Marriage Therapy, Mont Fort Bachelors -Sociology, Psychology & Economics, Mount Carmel
Experience
Over 18 years of professional counselling experience in India, U.S.A and Canada.
Cofounder Mrs. Shalini Gianchandani
Shalini is a counselling therapist with over 22 years of experience
Shalini Gianchandani is a counselling therapist with over 22 years of experience counselling individuals and families.
Shalini’s approach to counselling is individually tailored to each client using a variety of treatment models. From defining client goals, to conducting assessments, and building trusting relationships, Shalini is passionate in ensuring that individuals and families receive the appropriate support combining professionalism and compassion.
Degrees
Ryerson University, Canada with a Bachelors in Social Work, Major in Child Psychology and Minor in Sociology.
Experience
Shalini has a long experience counselling clients as a private therapist, a school counsellor and as an affiliate to Human Dynamic EAP counselling services. She is running her own counselling centre in Hyderabad.
Shalini has done advanced certifications and trained in multiple areas incl. solution focused therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, motivational therapy, bereavement counselling, forensic interviewing, critical assessment.
Cofounder Mrs. Shalini Gianchandani
Shalini Gianchandani is a counselling therapist with over 22 years of experience counselling individuals and families from a wide range of nationalities and socio-economic statuses.
Shalini spent several years specializing in Solution Focussed Therapy, Motivational interviewing, risk assessments, forensic interviewing, family counselling and supporting clientele with the necessary services required, using a multi-model approach when working for the Family Services Act of Ontario. Furthermore, her responsibilities included, investigating child abuse with Toronto Police Child Abuse Unit ensuring that children at risk are safe, crisis intervention and improving family crisis situations.
She graduated from Ryerson University, Canada with a Bachelors in Social Work, Minor in Child Psychology and Minor in Sociology and Masters in Psychology. Shalini is passionate in ensuring that individuals and families receive the appropriate intervention and support, while effectively combining professionalism and compassion.
Shalini has much experience counselling clients as a private therapist, a school counsellor and is an affiliate to several EAP counselling services. Shalini was a counsellor for St Francis Junior College, where she provided sessions on several issues faced by youth today for the student body, and used to provide guest lecturers for the post-graduate counselling course in the areas of forensic interviewing, counselling skills for child abuse, and domestic violence.
Shalini has been certified and trained in the following areas:
- Identifying sexual abuse amongst children and youth with Toronto Police services
- Motivational Therapy
- Forensic Interviewing
- Adolescent issues
- Child protection
- Critical assessment
- Parenting with behavioral health interventions to increase parental effectiveness
- Street youth issues
- Impact of maltreatment upon growth and development of young children
- Bereavement counselling
- Solution focused therapy
- Dialectical behavioural therapy
Shalini’s approach to counselling is individually tailored to each client using a variety of treatment models. From defining client goals, to conducting assessments, and maintaining trusting relationships, Shalini’s extensive experience in counselling both children and adults enables her to make a strong connection with her clients.
Degrees
Ryerson University, Canada with a Bachelors in Social Work, Major in Child Psychology and Minor in Sociology.
Experience
Shalini has a long experience counselling clients as a private therapist, a school counsellor and as an affiliate to Human Dynamic EAP counselling services. She is running her own counselling centre in Hyderabad.
Shalini has done advanced certifications and trained in multiple areas incl. solution focused therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, motivational therapy, bereavement counselling, forensic interviewing, critical assessment.
