The Secret Ingredient
to Mental Health & Well-being
Our Team
The Secret Ingredient Mental Healthcare's team of dedicated psychologists is committed to delivering the highest quality mental health services. Outside of our professional work, we all share a love for coffee, desserts and petting dogs!
Mugdha Shivapurkar
Co-Founder and Art Psychotherapist
Mugdha is an Art Psychotherapist (Regd. HCPC UK) with a strong affinity for the arts. She holds an MA in Clinical Psychology from Fergusson College, Pune (2015), and an MA in Art Psychotherapy from the University of Roehampton, London. Additionally, she has earned foundation-level certifications in the Therapeutic Value of Arts, Dance Movement Therapy and Drum Circle facilitation in India. Throughout her career, Mugdha has adeptly employed creative arts approaches to support and train clients across corporate, educational, and individual counseling settings. Mugdha’s therapeutic approach is grounded in arts psychotherapy, with a strong emphasis on cultural identity and an intersectional perspective. Her work integrates elements of analytical art therapy and body-based techniques. Mugdha believes in the fundamental humanness and accessibility that the arts bring to therapy, making these values central to her practice.
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Outside of her professional work, Mugdha delights in collecting quirky stationery and loves to dance, finding it a fun and energizing way to unwind.
Abhishek Bhave
Co-Founder and Psychologist
Abhishek Bhave embarked on a unique journey into the realm of mental health, leveraging his extensive background in business and marketing. His close association with psychologists and mental health organizations provided him with a profound insider perspective, motivating him to transition into this vital field. Abhishek holds a Master's in Business Administration from Welingkar Institute and a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Modern College, Pune.​ His fondness for connecting with and learning from new people led to an increased regard for this profession. Thus, a mental health solutions venture was established. His approach is characterized by a unique blend of compassion, empathy, and professional acumen, making mental health care accessible and effective for all.
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On a personal note, Abhishek is known for his love of Excel sheets and setting ambitious targets. His analytical mindset and goal-oriented nature complement his clinical practice, enabling him to manage the business aspects of the venture efficiently while ensuring the highest standards of care.
Nimisha Katare
Psychologist
Nimisha Katare is a psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Modern College, Pune. She works collaboratively with her clients to navigate turbulent emotions, distressing feelings, and complex thoughts. Nimisha is known for her supportive and compassionate approach, providing a safe, judgment-free space for her clients. Her therapeutic practice integrates various modalities, including certification in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Nimisha also has a keen interest in Internal Family Systems work, enhancing her ability to tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual. Whether addressing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or personal development, Nimisha is dedicated to empowering clients with effective coping strategies and facilitating positive change.
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When she’s not in session, Nimisha can be found binge-watching shows, organizing her space like a pro, journaling, or discovering new food joints. She’s always game for a hike, a board game challenge, and firmly believes that waffles and sarcasm are perfect companions at any time of day—because who says you can't mix a little fun with self-care?
Our Associate Therapists
Monika Mande
Psychologist
Monika has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Fergusson College, Pune and a post graduate certificate in Counseling Psychology. With her insistence on ethical practice and understanding the need of Continuous Professional development for Therapists, she has further trained in Trauma informed counseling. As a consultant psychologist and a trauma informed therapist, she has 9 years of experience of working closely with clients dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship and marital issues, and various other mental health issues. With experience, she realized her true calling was in working with adults dealing with mental health issues, and so she has been focused on taking individual counselling sessions at various clinics. She has robust experience as an EAP service provider, and currently works in collaboration with Aditi Consulting, an IT service organization, to cater to the employees’ mental health issues. She has extensive experience in working with cases of Psychopathology and mental illnesses. Her aim is to spread awareness to reduce the taboo associated with mental illnesses.
Smruti Deshpande
Clinical Psychologist (RCI Licensed)
Smruti Deshpande is Clinical Psychologist and has completed her MPhil from National Forensic Sciences University. She comes with over 5 years of experience of running an Individual counseling and Psychological testing center in Panchgani, where she has actively worked on spreading awareness about the acute need for Mental Health Services. She has worked extensively in schools providing mental health support and guidance to both students and teachers. For the last two years, her entire focus has been on clinical cases and she has been working in hospitals in collaboration with psychiatrists in Ahmedabad. Smruti follows an eclectic approach to therapy and believes that there is no set form or solution to every problem and that every individual is unique.
Amruta Mahajan
Psychologist
Adult Psychoanalytic Fellow (Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis)
Amruta is the Co-Founder of TherapyGrove, a mental health company in Pune. She holds a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from S. P. College, Pune. She has worked extensively with clients struggling with mood disturbances, anxiety, relationship conflicts, low self-esteem, and anger management. She also has completed a post-PG 1-year Certification Program in Counselling from Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health (MIMH), Sassoon Hospital, Pune; making her a state government certified counselor. Amruta is currently pursuing a fellowship in Adult Psychoanalysis (Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis) - Ongoing (Since Aug 2024). She often uses Client-Centered, DBT, and CBT approaches in her therapy process. Her aim is to provide quality mental healthcare by continuing to learn and unlearn as a professional.