Nisbin A Khader
Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist
- Referred by a therapist
- RCI-licensed
Hi, I'm Nisbin. I came to psychology out of curiosity, but what kept me here was something harder to name, a growing sense that the work actually matters. Over the years I've trained and practiced across very different settings, government hospitals, private clinics, and independent practice across multiple cities, each one teaching me something the previous one couldn't.
That range has shaped how I work. I've sat with clients navigating complex emotional experiences, difficult relationships, trauma, identity, and the kind of distress that doesn't fit neatly into a diagnosis. I've also worked with people carrying experiences shaped by culture, community, and belonging, including the particular weight that comes from feeling like an outsider in spaces that were never quite built for you. I know something of that feeling myself, and it quietly informs how I listen. Many of my clients are NRIs, people navigating life across cultures and geographies, and that context is something I hold with care.
Beyond my own practice, I also supervise and mentor younger therapists. That work keeps me sharp, honest, and close to the questions that matter most in this field.
In the therapy room, I try to show up as I actually am rather than how a therapist is supposed to. If something genuinely resonates with what you're sharing, I'll say so. Clients often tell me they felt able to give me feedback, or disagree, in ways they never could with previous therapists. I think that honesty is what makes the work real.
For me, healing isn't about arriving at a place where nothing difficult ever happens again. It's about being able to notice what's going on inside you, pause, and still treat yourself with some kindness. That's what I'm working toward with the people I see, and honestly, in my own life too.
7300+ hours of work in therapy
I didn't stop learning after my masters, I have been continuously investing in practical case-based training, client work, and my own personal therapy.
We show therapy sessions so you can better understand a therapist's real-world experience.
Two therapists may both have five years in practice, yet one might have completed 500 sessions while another has completed 3,000. This depends on whether they practice part-time or full-time and how consistently they see clients. Session counts make that difference visible.
Just as you would not trust a surgeon who has only read about the human body but never operated, therapy cannot be mastered through textbooks alone. While many master's programs in India are heavily theory-driven, practical training develops the real skill of therapy - learning how to ask the right question, when to hold silence, when to challenge, and how to respond in complex emotional moments.
Therapists are human, and they carry their own histories. When a client's experiences resemble their own, old patterns can get activated.
For example, if a therapist grew up with a highly critical parent and a client shares a similar experience, that old pattern can get activated. They may unconsciously over-identify, rescue, or react instead of staying objective. Personal therapy helps therapists recognise their own triggers and patterns so they can respond thoughtfully and continue to hold a non-judgemental space. Nobody is born non judgemental, it takes a lot of personal work to get there.
2+ years of in-depth, practical training in psychotherapy post masters
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist under Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
- 2+ years of training as a Clinical Psychologist at National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)
- Schema Therapy (Two-Phase Training) with Arnoud Arnt, internationally recognised senior schema therapist, organised by NIMHANS Behaviour Therapy Unit
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Steven Hayes, USA based & licensed Clinical Psychologist, at NIMHANS Behaviour Therapy Unit
- ACT for Perfectionism & People-Pleasing with Russ Harris from Psychwire
- Sage Protocol, a structured DBT-based Couples Therapy Intervention for emotion dysregulation, under Dr. Skye Fitzpatrick and Rachel Liberman
- Brainspotting Training with Mariya Javed-Payne from Awaken Consulting Services
- Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy with Shalini Anant
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Foundational Training with Simran Chadha
- Narrative Therapy (Foundational Training) from Muktha Foundation
Educational Qualifications
- M.A. in Clinical Psychology from University of Pune, Maharashtra
- M.Phil in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences), Bengaluru
✨ Nisbin trained at NIMHANS, India's most respected institution for mental health, and has continued building one of the most clinically rigorous training portfolios you'll find. From ACT with Steven Hayes himself, to Schema Therapy with internationally recognised trainers, her learning has been deliberate, deep, and grounded in evidence. That foundation shows in the precision and care she brings to every session.
I work with individuals and couples across a wide range of experiences, from high-functioning professionals carrying more than they let on, to people navigating complex emotional and relational patterns and concerns that previous therapists may not have known how to hold. If you've tried therapy before and never quite felt seen, that's something I pay particular attention to.
You are in the right place if you are not primarily seeking primary treatment for psychosis, autism, severe addiction, dream analysis or concerns that require intensive psychiatric or medical intervention.
Approaches I Use
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Schema Therapy
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Brain spotting
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Trauma Focused Therapy
A lot of what keeps us stuck lives in patterns we've carried for a long time without fully understanding them. Nisbin uses evidence-based approaches to work across multiple layers, helping you make sense of those patterns, build practical tools for the present, and process what's underneath. For trauma that's hard to put into words or that talk therapy alone hasn't been able to shift, she also uses Brainspotting, a body-based technique that works directly with how the brain and nervous system stores difficult experiences.
What sessions with me feel like
My sessions usually begin with a simple question: what feels most important to discuss today? That might sound small, but I've found that having a say in where we begin gives a lot of people a sense of control, especially when other parts of life feel anything but.
From there, some sessions are more structured, picking up threads from the previous week, revisiting goals, or working through a specific strategy together. Others are slower and more reflective, making space for emotions and experiences that haven't yet found words. We decide this together, and it can shift over time.
I pay close attention to what's happening beyond the words too. A pause, a sudden shift in expression, eyes that start to well up, I'll gently bring these into the conversation when it feels right. And when strong emotions come up, I don't rush past them. I'd rather stay with you in it first before we figure out what to do with it.
Every few months we also take stock together, looking at what's shifted and where you want to go next. Progress in therapy isn't always obvious from the inside, and I think it helps to pause and notice it together.
Session Basics
Languages
Fluent in English and Malayalam
Location
Bengaluru, India
Mode
Online only
Duration
60 minutes
Available for
Individual Therapy & Couples Therapy
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy
24-hour notice required
Outside therapy
I'm someone who moves through life at a slower pace, by choice. I prefer voice notes over texts, long conversations over quick check-ins, and I've somehow convinced most of my close friends to do the same. I've relocated a few times in recent years and I'm currently settling into Bangalore, a city I'm still getting to know. I find that starting over in a new place, figuring out where you belong, teaches you something about yourself that staying put never quite does. Outside of work, you'll find me watching films, travelling when I can, and spending time with a small circle of people I genuinely love being around.
What clients say
"Nisbin is brilliant at her work and a really rare find. She is an expert in the field of trauma counselling especially wrt marital issues. Her methods are thorough and well informed with a view to work towards holistic recovery. Her approach was scientific, grounded, no fluff yet comforting. I would sincerely recommend her."
Female, 36, Pune, Strategy consultant
"I am incredibly thankful to have had Nisbin's support during a particularly tough period in my life. The exercises we did together were extremely beneficial and her patience and guidance were invaluable in helping me navigate the challenges I faced. Nisbin truly made me feel heard and valued every step of the way."
Female, 41, Canada, Data Scientist
"Couples therapy with Nisbin saved our marriage, and I don't say that lightly. We were two people deeply in love but lost in our own patterns, often getting in our own way. The sessions and tools she provided were the missing piece to building a beautiful life together. Neither of us ever felt attacked or guilted. Nisbin consistently reminded us we were a unit working toward the same goal. Her delicate, truthful guidance made all the difference. We're endlessly grateful."
Couple, 33 & 35, Delhi, Business owners
"Therapy with Nisbin transformed my life. She quickly identified that my anxiety and low mood stemmed from anxious attachment and perfectionism, not just depression. She helped me understand my interpersonal patterns, practice boundary-setting, and manage self-criticism with practical tools. My relationships improved, daily anxiety decreased, and I gained real self-awareness and resilience. Warm, nonjudgmental, and highly skilled, I wholeheartedly recommend her for anyone seeking effective, personalised therapy."
Female, 32, Qatar, Occupational therapist
I've been referred to Mindbun by Clinical Psychologist & psychotherapist Aysha Tanisha.
Therapists know what good therapy feels like. That's why this referral is stronger, and why you can trust it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What approaches do you work with?
I work with a range of evidence-based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Brainspotting, and trauma-focused psychotherapy. This allows me to combine structured tools with deeper emotional and trauma-informed work.
What languages do you offer sessions in?
I offer sessions in English and Malayalam.
What type of people may not be the right fit for you?
I may not be the right fit if you're seeking primary treatment for psychosis, autism, severe addiction, dream analysis or concerns that require intensive psychiatric or medical intervention.
Are you a RCI-licensed psychologist?
Yes. I am registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). My registration number is A71056, and you can verify it here.
Are your sessions more structured or exploratory?
My sessions balance both structure and exploration. Some sessions may focus on clear goals and strategies, while others allow space for deeper emotional reflection. The pace and structure are adapted based on what feels most supportive for you.
Will I get exercises or reflection work between sessions?
Depending on your needs, I may suggest reflections or small practices to notice between sessions, but there is no rigid homework.
What if I disagree with you?
I genuinely welcome disagreement in our work together. If something I say doesn't sit right with you, I encourage you to share it openly. Therapy is a collaborative space, and your voice matters deeply here. Often, moments of disagreement lead to powerful insights, about patterns, boundaries, needs, or past experiences. Exploring these moments together can become an important part of your therapeutic growth and help us build a more honest, trusting relationship.
What if it doesn't feel like it's working after a few sessions?
Let's talk about it openly. Therapy is a collaborative process, and it's important that you feel safe sharing if something doesn't feel right. Sometimes, naming what isn't working can lead to meaningful shifts in the work itself. You are always free to pause, take a break, or explore a different therapist if that feels better for you. We can have that conversation together first, or you can also reach out to the Mindbun team for support in finding a better fit. Your comfort and growth matter more than pushing through something silently.