Rupa Parthasarathy

I am a cultural artist, Art Psychotherapist, Counsellor, storyteller, podcaster, educator and social entrepreneur andfounder of Mindkshetra

I am also a proud woman of colour, a first-generation native Tamil speaking Indian Australian and Amma (mother) of two young adults.

I am passionate about influencing young people to make creative practices a part of their everyday well-being ritual. I lean on my decade of experience working within the diverse fast-paced corporate environment as a Lead Training Specialist and my experience of working with youth and collaborating with community organisations to inform and drive my mission. I specialise in providing culturally sensitive creative arts-based psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic solutions to sustain individual, community and organisational wellbeing.

My past roles of being a Program Counsellor with Raise Foundation, Trainer in corporate environments, and various other informs and shapes my ability to build rapport quickly, have a pragmatic approach to life and advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion within the spheres I work in.

Since April 2023, I have been working as an academic placement coordinator with Western Sydney University providing ongoing supports for Master of Art Therapy Students in organising their placement opportunities.

I have been practicing art psychotherapy since 2018 and been actively involved in collaborating with my local council Cumberland and successfully implemented the Arts for Wellbeing initiative for the past two years for October Mental Health Month.

In 2021 I was shortlisted as Top 50 Small Business Leaders by Insider Small Business magazine, and finalist of Western Sydney Women Awards under Performing and Creative Arts Category. My work with community arts was shot into a documentary by Ana Tiwary, producer/director of IndiVisual films as part of a feature for South Asian today magazine.

I have collaborated with my daughter/producer on the podcast Mindkshetra Talks: Lost in Translation. This Podcast is our new venture, where two South Asian women from different generations unpack the generational barriers! You can listen to it on Spotify.

I take pride in being the first Art-therapist in the family and someone who dares to paint this world a kinder shade.

I also love dancing and have a deep love of wearing sarees and writing about their origin stories.