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:
Transcript: Riti: So, for the listeners, a crash course listeners or viewers- if you can give like a crash course into each therapy term therapy title. How it differs? And like what you would get from going to each one. Rupa: Okay, like is so we’ll start from…Therapist is like an umbrella term. It’s an umbrella term we use for people. Therapist, shrink. Shrink in an American thing or therapist. All the people who you kind of do, a therapist is somebody who you can go to seek – to help you cope with either problems or life…
In today’s technologically driven and fast-paced world, falling prey to misunderstandings and communication gaps is easy, especially when trying to comprehend your young ones and their communication style. Communication and expression have dramatically evolved with each generation, highlighting a noticeable distinction between the communication styles of different generations. Let me give you a few examples of the latest slang used by Generation Z and Alpha and what they mean. Knowing the meaning can help us feel connected and prevent assumptions that the words being used refer to something bad. Here are some examples: Slang Meaning I can’t even Feeling overwhelmed…
Raising a child in today’s world can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Between schoolwork, friendships, and social pressures, kids often face challenges that can be overwhelming. But the good news is that counseling can make a world of difference, providing the right tools and support for children to succeed in school, develop leadership skills, manage their emotions, and handle bullying situations with confidence. At Mindkshetra, we’re passionate about helping children grow emotionally and mentally, offering services that address these areas head-on. Let’s dive into how counseling can help your child in various ways. Can Therapy Improve Emotional Intelligence? Absolutely! Emotional…
‘Is something wrong with me if I am seeking counselling?’ This is a question I am often asked when my clients meet me for the first time. Of course as a counsellor, my answer would be a resounding ‘NO’. I can completely relate to the anguish people feel when they decide to seek counselling. As seeking counselling is often linked to the ‘need to fix’ something; however, I believe this is a major misconception. Counselling is about empowering you to manage your well-being and build resilience. Counselling can certainly help with various concerns affecting mental well-being and an individual’s functioning,…
Grief. A heavy word for a heavy experience. It is the emotional response to loss and can manifest in a variety of ways. The loss of a loved one, especially a parent, is one of life’s most profound and painful experiences. You might feel intense sadness, anger, guilt, or even numbness. There’s no “right” way to grieve, and the healing process takes time. Here at Mindkshetra, we understand the complexities of grief. Through this blog we aim to help you navigate your way through grief and come out stronger on the other end. Coping with the Loss of a Parent…
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes these curveballs can hit our families the hardest. When communication breaks down, conflict escalates, or emotional turmoil takes hold, the strength and support of a family can feel strained. This is where family therapy, also known as family counselling, can be a powerful tool. Family counselling services are a form of therapy that helps families address and overcome a wide range of issues. It’s a collaborative process where a licensed family therapist works with all members of the family unit, fostering open communication, healthy conflict resolution, and improved emotional well-being. How Effective is Family Therapy? …
Anxiety. It’s a constant companion for many, a knot of worry that tightens its grip at the most inopportune moments. While traditional therapy is a valuable tool, sometimes we need a more creative outlet. Enter art therapy for anxiety – a powerful approach that harnesses the power of self-expression to combat those overwhelming feelings. How Does Art Therapy Help with Anxiety? Unlike talk, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), that relies on your verbal capacity to express your emotions art therapy is about accessing your creativity as a coping mechanism. The focus is on the process, not the final product, using…
Navigating the complexities of childhood and adolescence can be challenging for both young people and their families. Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and stress are increasingly common, making it essential to understand the various types of psychotherapy available. This blog will explore psychotherapy for children and adolescents at Mindkshetra, answering key questions and helping you make informed decisions about the best treatment options. What is Adolescent Psychotherapy? Adolescent psychotherapy is a specialized form of talk therapy designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by adolescents, typically between the ages of 11 and 19. This stage of life…
Children are like delicate flowers, requiring careful attention and nurturing to blossom into their full potential. Just as physical health is crucial, so is mental health. Unfortunately, many children face emotional and behavioural challenges that can hinder their growth and development. This is where therapy for kids becomes an invaluable tool. Understanding Your Child’s Needs Navigating the complexities of childhood can be challenging for parents. While it’s normal for children to exhibit a range of behaviours, there are times when these behaviours might signal underlying emotional or psychological difficulties. It’s essential to be attuned to your child’s development and well-being…
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes these curveballs can hit our families the hardest. When communication breaks down, conflict escalates, or emotional turmoil takes hold, the strength and support of a family can feel strained. This is where family therapy, also known as family counselling, can be a powerful tool. Family counselling services are a form of therapy that helps families address and overcome a wide range of issues. It’s a collaborative process where a licensed family therapist works with all members of the family unit, fostering open communication, healthy conflict resolution, and improved emotional well-being. How Effective is Family Therapy?…
More Articles: