Services

An Inclusive Mental Health Platform by Lilac Insights

AtEase - An Inclusive Mental Health Platform for Women and Non-Binary Individuals

AtEase is an inclusive mental health platform by Lilac Insights that caters to women (cis-women & transwomen) and non-binary individuals (gender identities that are outside the binary of man & woman) with different stories. It is led by Richa Vashista (Masters in Clinical Psychology), a mental health professional who works at the intersections of Gender and Sexuality. The platform offers a safe space for women of all identities and non-binary individuals, while maintaining confidentiality and privacy during sessions. The platform aims to support individuals reclaim their fulfilling, enjoyable and purposeful lives they so richly deserve.

AtEase uses client-centred and evidence-based approaches to reduce depression, anxiety, burnout and other mental health related issues experienced by women and non-binary individuals to move towards their preferred stories. We use an intersectional, queer affirmative and social justice lens in counseling and therapy, as we continue to work with people in the margins. The experts associated with AtEase have been curated based on their professional expertise of working in the LGBTQIA+ and women’s mental health space.

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Mental Health of Women and Non-Binary Individuals

Most individuals experience distress in their daily life. Some people can manage their issues on their own while some require professional support. The way mental health impacts all genders can look similar. However, women (cis-women and transwomen) and non-binary individuals (gender identities that are outside the binary of man & woman) often face different challenges such as unequal economic and social conditions (for example, unequal pay and opportunities for promotion, glass-ceiling effect, caregiver burnout, unpaid household work) than cis-men. Such situations can contribute to a higher risk of experiencing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Additionally, in a world that wants to box people’s identities, non-binary individuals often find themselves battling with the whole system of gender. Society often pushes people to gender binaries and leaves non-binary individuals feeling unsettled, for ‘not picking a side.’

The first and most important step on the road to mental wellness is acknowledging that it is absolutely okay to ask for help when you need it. For many, taking this first step can be challenging. Due to high societal expectations and pressures, women and non-binary individuals who are assigned female at birth, often tend to feel the need to be strong and nurturing caregivers for their families, friends, and communities. Moreover, they are also expected to know how to address their own struggles and support others too. This further forces women and non-binary individuals to maintain a social facade of ‘doing it all by themselves’ and ‘being superhuman’, which in turn takes a significant toll on their mental health and overall wellbeing.

Our Services

If you or your loved ones are experiencing mental health challenges, we offer support in the following ways:

Individual Therapy
18+ years of age
Couples Therapy Family Therapy Psychiatric Consultation
18+ years of age
Corporate Emotional Wellness
(Request for a call)

Our Approaches

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
(CBT)
Trauma Informed Therapy Narrative Therapy Systems Therapy Solution Focused Brief Therapy
(SFBT)
Person Centred Therapy Art Based Therapy

Mental Health Conditions

According to the American Psychiatric Association, although all genders can experience mental health conditions, they may differ in regards to risk, prevalence, presentation, course and treatment of mental disorders.

Our experts will support you in the process of understanding and managing the symptoms you are experiencing - whether you have a formal psychiatric diagnosis or not.

Our experts are also trained in supporting women and non-binary individuals who are experiencing:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Eating Disorders
  • Mood Disorders
  • Personality Disorders
Women, Non-Binary Individuals and Family

Over two thirds of primary caregivers are individuals assigned female at birth, who are expected to care for their partners, parents and children. While this brings joy to many, it can also be a major stressor. Alongside, managing the demands of competing paid and unpaid work / time can have a major impact on their physical, biological, social, and mental health and also on their financial security and independence.   (Read more)

If you are facing any kind of issues at home that cause distress, reach out to us. We offer support to women and non-binary individuals experiencing distress related to:

  • Marriage and Divorce
  • Gender based violence
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Parenting difficulties
  • Maladaptive family dynamics
  • Challenges during COVID-19
  • Challenges due to societal Issues

Reach out to an AtEase expert, if you are experiencing:

  • Frequent outbursts of frustration and anger
  • Anxiety, agitation and restlessness
  • Loss of interest in activities that you enjoyed before
  • Insomnia (i.e., difficulty falling and/or staying asleep) or irregular sleep schedules
  • Tiredness and lack of energy

Workplace Mental Health

If you identify as a woman or non-binary individual, the challenges you face at your workplace require a better understanding. The inequality faced at work, especially by married working women or individuals from different marginalized subsets, can affect not only their mental well-being but also that of those around them. Our platform is focused at understanding how mental health issues impact women and non-binary individuals with jobs as well as home makers and how mental health professionals can best understand this global phenomenon in order to improve their occupational and social functioning.   (Read more)

Talk with an AtEase expert, if you are experiencing:

  • Job related stress
  • Burnout at work
  • Work-life balance
  • Facing discrimination on the basis of gender
  • Bullying and harassment
Gender Identity and Sexuality

If you identify as Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, Trans* or Non-Binary, there is a high possibility of experiencing challenges that may look identical but are distinctly different from other LGBTQIA+ individuals or heterosexual counterparts.   (Read more)

AtEase experts can support you with:

  • Issues at home, college or work
  • Coming out of the closet
  • Questioning and exploring your identity
  • Discrimination faced because of your gender identity and sexual orientation
  • Relationship issues
  • Navigating through the landscape of intimacy
  • Gender Dysphoria

Reproductive Life Span

Major life transitions such as pregnancy, parenthood and menopause can contribute to physical and emotional stressors for birthing and non-birthing partners. Negative life experiences – infertility and perinatal loss, poverty, discrimination, violence, unemployment and isolation – also impact mental health and wellbeing of birthing and non-birthing partners.

As per the World Health Organization

Recommendation logo

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends universal screening for depression and anxiety disorders during pregnancy.

(Read more)

Get support related to:

  • Prenatal Wellness
  • Postnatal Wellness
  • Infertility Breakthrough
  • Perinatal Loss
  • Menopause

How it Works

Choose an expert
Block your calendar
Brief client intake
Connect for therapy session

Benefits of the platform

Access therapy from anywhere, using a safe and secure method Choose a qualified therapist of your choice Personalized care and support Schedule sessions based on your availability

Meet our team of experts

Dr. Richa
Dr Ruksheda Syeda

She/Her

Psychiatrist

Dr. Syeda Ruksheda is a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience specialising in adolescents, young adults, women and families. She is trained in the esteemed medical institutes of Mumbai with a WHO Fellowship from South Korea in psycho-social rehabilitation. She serves as Co-Chair of women's mental health specialty section of Indian Psychiatric Society and National General Secretary of Indian Association of Biological Psychiatry.

Dr. Richa
Richa Vashista

She/They

Mental Health Professional

Richa Vashista is the Chief Mental Health Expert at Lilac Insights and heads AtEase, an inclusive mental health platform. She has a Masters in Clinical Psychology from SNDT University, Mumbai. She is a Mumbai based Mental Health Professional working at the intersections of Gender and Sexuality since 2014. The approaches she uses are Cognitive, Behaviour Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy and Person Centred Therapy.

Disclaimer: AtEase does not provide crisis support; when an individual is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or is showing symptoms of severe clinical disorders. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, reach out to a suicide helpline in your country of residence: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

AtEase, Mental Health Platform - FAQs

In psychotherapy or “talk therapy,” a therapist will work with you to:

  • Identify any issues
  • Develop ways to address issues
  • Control troubling symptoms

Therapy can help you function better, enhance your well-being, and support you in your healing journey. There are different methods and formats of therapy. For example, some types of therapy help you change how you think and behave, while other types of therapy help you better understand underlying issues. You may have one-on-one therapy (with just you and the expert) or family or couples therapy, in which you and family members or your partner may work with an expert.

Privacy and confidentiality is an essential part of counseling. Everything you share with the expert remains confidential. With this said,there could be some infrequent exceptions to this including the possibility of danger to yourself or others. You can discuss this in detail with our experts during sessions to address all your concerns.

Counseling and psychotherapy give you the opportunity to talk with a trained professional, who can offer support and new perspectives on your issues. It gives you the time, safe and non-judgemental space and encouragement to explore and understand the issues you are experiencing. While counseling is not a magic or an instant cure, it can help you clarify the problems, set realistic goals and help you move towards your preferred stories. A psychologist will be able to provide you with a safe space to reflect on your circumstances. The aim is that in time, this will increase your awareness of yourself, your situation, and the choices that are open to you. It will also provide structure and support for you in painful and difficult times. The counsellor will not tell you what to do, give you direct advice or make you talk about anything you do not want to talk about. Counseling can help you to focus on and enhance your understanding of issues that concern you.

It is time to seek support from a mental health professional if:

  • You have felt consistently bad (e.g. sad or worried) for longer than 2 weeks
  • Negative thoughts and feelings are starting to affect your ability to function in daily life
  • You are showing signs of depression, such as losing interest, or feeling hopeless or unable to cope
  • You feel anxious or worried most or all of the time
  • You start having panic attacks or develop obsessions or compulsive behaviours

Are your concerns getting in the way of enjoying your daily life? Do you feel overwhelmed, worried, or unsatisfied? Are you finding it challenging to make the changes you want to make in your life? Are you feeling stuck or unsatisfied in your relationships? If so, counseling may help you. A counselor can offer practical assistance, support, compassion, different perspectives, new strategies, and equip you with coping skills so that you can make the changes you want in your life.

Talking with a therapist offers a psychological space that friends or family cannot provide. Our experts can offer a space that has no bias or judgement. They also have years of formal training and they use evidence-based interventions to support you. They empower you to make an informed choice rather than offering you advice. The ‘severity' of a problem discussed in counseling is relative - counseling is valid whether a concern appears minimal or feels overwhelming. People who engage in counseling often find the process helpful to understand themselves better.

On the basis of the concerns shared by the client, the counseling/ therapy sessions are planned and accordingly the client may get a rough idea of the tentative number of sessions. However, there are times when the client might want to work on some other issues which can continue the sessions further.

The first session is an opportunity to meet with the AtEase expert and understand the nature of therapy and create a plan of action. Usually, we discuss what has brought you to see us at this time and think together about a way forward, including the frequency of sessions.

You can book an appointment by selecting an expert of your choice, here to book a session.

You may also Contact Us directly & we will guide you through the process.

In order to help as many individuals, couples and families as possible we ask you to adhere to these cancellation policies. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

  • If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment time, please provide us as much notice as possible. Our AtEase experts do not double book appointments, so the appointment you have made is exclusively for you. If you don’t attend the session you have booked without notifying us at least 24 hours in advance, the full fee will be charged and there will be no refund.
  • We need at least 24 hours notice to attempt to fill the appointment time should you cancel or reschedule. So, we request you to consider this when changing or cancelling a scheduled appointment.

If you identify as a woman (cis-woman & transwoman) or non-binary individual facing mental health challenges, this platform is for you.

  • Choose an AtEase expert of your choice
  • Book an appointment
  • Complete payment
  • Fill the intake form
  • Attend therapy session