Tavinder Bains

Tavinder is a first-generation Sikh American who earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue Northwest. She graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After graduating, she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for two years, which sparked her interest in mental health counseling.

During her time as a Registered Behavior Technician, she noticed that clients needed more than behavioral therapy. They also needed social and emotional learning and support. She and a fellow clinician collaborated to break down social-emotional learning for clients, which ignited her passion for becoming a mental health counselor.

Tavinder is fluent in English and Punjabi. Her goal is to empower people with knowledge about mental health and to make mental health care accessible to all. She began empowering people in her local community by serving as a translator and connecting others to community and mental health resources.

While in college, her passion for mental health grew, particularly in helping students navigate academia and access mental health resources. This included encouraging students to visit the counseling center and creating mental health-related workshops.

Her goal is to provide clients with a non-judgmental environment where they feel heard and understood. She uses a mindfulness-based and strength-based approach and enjoys working with clients of all ages. She also has a deep passion for neuroscience and understanding how the brain-body connection works.