Rupa Parthasarathy
Rupa Parthasarathy is a cultural artist, art psychotherapist, counsellor, clinical supervisor, educator and social entrepreneur based in Western Sydney, Australia. She is the founder of Mindkshetra, a creative wellbeing studio located in Wentworthville and a social enterprise dedicated to nurturing wellbeing through art, culture and conversation.
As a first-generation Indian Australian and native Tamil speaker, Rupa’s work sits at the intersection of identity, cultural memory and mental health. Through art psychotherapy, counselling, supervision and community programs, she creates spaces where individuals, practitioners and communities can explore emotional wellbeing in culturally meaningful ways. Her practice integrates creative arts, psychotherapy and psychoeducation to help young people and adults build resilience and self-awareness through everyday creative rituals.
While Mindkshetra’s studio is based in Wentworthville on the traditional lands of the Dharug people, much of Rupa’s work happens beyond the therapy room. Through workshops, community art initiatives and wellbeing programs, Mindkshetra regularly facilitates creative spaces across Granville, Auburn, Merrylands, Parramatta, Pendle Hill, Toongabbie, Penrith and the city areas including Kogarah. These gatherings take place across the lands of the Dharug and Dharawal peoples, where Rupa is proud to activate conversations about mental health, culture and creativity within community spaces.
Rupa has been practicing art psychotherapy since 2018 and works closely with youth, families and community organisations. She also supports emerging practitioners through clinical supervision and in her role as Academic Placement Coordinator at Western Sydney University, where she assists Master of Art Therapy students in navigating their professional placements.
Her professional journey spans corporate learning and development, youth mentoring and community mental health initiatives, experiences that inform her pragmatic and culturally responsive approach to wellbeing. She has collaborated with local councils and organisations to deliver initiatives such as Arts for Wellbeing during Mental Health Month, bringing creative mental health conversations into accessible public spaces.
Rupa is also the co-host of the podcast Mindkshetra Talks: Lost in Translation, created with her daughter, where two South Asian women from different generations unpack identity, culture and the unspoken dynamics of growing up between worlds.
Her work has received several recognitions, including being shortlisted among Australia’s Top 50 Small Business Leaders, being a finalist in the Western Sydney Women Awards, and receiving the 2025 South Asian Women in Business Award for Mindkshetra.
At the heart of Rupa’s work is a simple belief: creativity is not a luxury — it is a deeply human instinct. Through art, culture and storytelling, she invites people to reconnect with their inner world and create what she calls a mind kshetra — a sacred inner space where wellbeing can grow.
Outside her professional work, Rupa enjoys dancing, writing about the cultural histories woven into sarees, and continuing her lifelong attempt to paint the world a kinder shade.
All articles:
Introduction: My Journey into Group Therapy The first time I heard about group therapy was when I was studying to be a counsellor. This specialisation both intrigued me and scared me. In most situations, being in a group can feel overwhelming. So I was genuinely curious — what is group therapy, really? And more importantly, how can sitting with strangers possibly feel therapeutic? At the time, I imagined awkward silences, people competing to speak, or individuals withdrawing into themselves. I wondered how vulnerability could possibly feel safe in a room full of others. Yet as I progressed through my training…
There are many therapeutic interventions to support people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Among these, creative therapies such as art therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, and drama therapy have not just shown success but have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness. These therapies have been instrumental in helping autistic individuals develop communication and social skills, as well as enhance their imagination, providing reassurance and confidence in their unique needs. Their success offers hope and optimism for the potential of these interventions. In this blog, we aim to provide insights into the benefits of these creative therapies, particularly art therapy, for individuals with…
In today’s fast-paced world, work stress has become a common challenge for employees across industries. Balancing deadlines, personal life, and professional responsibilities can take a toll on mental health. That’s where counselling for workplace stress comes in, offering a supportive solution to help employees thrive. At Mindkshetra, we believe that workplace counselling is a powerful tool for fostering a healthier, more productive workforce. In this blog, we’ll explore how counselling can address work-related stress, its benefits, and why it’s essential for both employees and employers to prioritize mental wellness in the workplace. Can Counselling Help with Work Stress? Absolutely, counselling…
Everyone’s family has its own story that shapes who we are. How we handle life’s ups and downs is often tied to how we grew up, and it’s interesting to see how our backgrounds guide our reactions and help us find our way in the world. While we all want strong and healthy relationships with our families, it can be super complicated. It’s no wonder many of us find navigating these connections challenging, whether dealing with old conflicts, feeling stuck under expectations, or just trying to communicate better. Family dynamics can be messy, but they’re also part of what makes…
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive the world and interact with others. Though autism is not something to be “cured,” various therapy approaches have shown success in helping autistic individuals develop communication, social, and behavioural skills, manage challenges, and lead fulfilling lives. Among these, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Art Therapy have shown significant promise. In this blog, we explore how these therapeutic interventions support individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their unique needs. Source: Photo by Polina Can Autism Be Treated with Therapy? While autism…
Everyone’s family has its own story that shapes who we are. How we handle life’s ups and downs is often tied to how we grew up, and it’s interesting to see how our backgrounds guide our reactions and help us find our way in the world. While we all want strong and healthy relationships with our families, it can be super complicated. It’s no wonder many of us find navigating these connections challenging, whether dealing with old conflicts, feeling stuck under expectations, or just trying to communicate better. Family dynamics can be messy, but they’re also part of what makes…
Often, we find ourselves choosing between comfort and growth; more often than not, growth comes with discomfort. That’s exactly how I felt as an international student when I first moved to Sydney, Australia. My heart was full of dreams and excitement, but I was also aware that the road ahead wouldn’t come with the same comforts and privileges I had back home. Moving to a new country for better education, job opportunities, or a fresh start is a brave decision. But as thrilling as it sounds, it can feel daunting and lonely. The challenges of adapting to a different culture,…
Families are complex systems, woven together by love, history, and shared experiences. Yet, these intricate relationships can sometimes become strained, leading to conflict, distress, and a sense of disconnection. When these challenges arise, family therapy offers a pathway to healing and renewed connection. But what exactly is family therapy, and how can it help? What is Family Therapy? Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy that addresses issues within the context of the family unit. Rather than focusing solely on an individual, a family therapist works with the entire family, or specific family members, to identify and address patterns of…
We often hear about addiction as a personal battle, a demon someone fights within themselves. But the reality is far more complex. Addiction doesn’t live in isolation; it weaves its way into the very fabric of a family, leaving a trail of broken trust, strained relationships, and a deep sense of confusion. Imagine a stone tossed into a still pond. The ripples spread outwards, disrupting the calm and affecting every part of the ecosystem. That’s what addiction does to a family. It throws everything off balance, changing the way people interact, and sometimes even leaving lasting marks on the next…
As a parent, I appreciate living in a world where our children benefit from information and learning opportunities at our fingertips. I often feel this growing concern for both children and families when it comes to managing their mental health. Everyday living comes with many stresses, from school pressures such as exams and bullying to social challenges like making friends or dealing with peer pressure to changes in family dynamics such as divorce or the arrival of a new sibling. Understanding how to cope with these stressors effectively can improve individuals’ and families’ mental and emotional health. As a therapist,…
More Articles: