Abhishek Bardoloi

About Me as a Human…

When I am not in therapy-land, you can find me:
Trying out new food or café spots in the city or spending time outdoors with my dog when it’s warm. I also enjoy going to the gym, spending time with loved ones, and exploring events or activities around town.

Self Care:
I prioritize self-care through meditation, a consistent workout routine, and spending quality time with family and friends. These practices have significantly improved my well-being and helped me feel grounded and present throughout the week.

For Fun:
I love trying out new events, staying in to watch movies, or playing games. Exploring new places, staying active, and connecting with others bring me joy.

For Growth:
I enjoy reading and listening to books about healing and growth, meditating, and reflecting on my emotions and thoughts throughout the day. I’m also currently expanding my skills in formal assessments to better serve my clients.

Something unique about me is:

I am partially colour blind, which means I sometimes struggle to distinguish between blue and purple, or certain shades of red.

Before I was in the mental health field

I was working as a distress line volunteer and a respite worker. The most impactful thing about my experience here was helping clients gain clarity about their concerns and witnessing the meaningful changes they made in their lives.

Three things you are currently obsessed with and why:

1. Meditation: Keeping a consistent meditation schedule has helped me regulate my emotions and stay self-aware. Even a few minutes a day has made a noticeable difference in how grounded I feel.
2. Blindfolds with headphones for sleep: As a light sleeper, this combination has been a game-changer! Blocking out light while listening to rain sounds has significantly improved my sleep quality and how I feel waking up each day.
3. Astronomy: I’ve been fascinated by the cosmos since I was young. Learning about the universe and stargazing provides a sense of peace and wonder that helps me disconnect from daily stressors.

The most helpful book I have read is

The Power of Vulnerability.

My biggest takeaway from it was recognizing how similar our struggles can be, and yet how difficult it is for many of us to openly discuss them.

The most interesting book I have read is

What Happened to You by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey.

Because it offers deep insights into how trauma, abuse, or neglect shape our present lives, relationships, and self-perception.

My favourite podcast is

Startalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson.

The best thing about it is its blend of science and comedy, which makes exploring discoveries and theories both engaging and entertaining.

Specialty and Specific Interest Areas:

Client populations:
I work with adults and adolescents (12+), as well as couples.

Clinical concern:
I have a special interest in working with trauma and PTSD, ADHD, emotion regulation, anxiety, and depression.

Non-clinical concern:
I have a special interest in working with communication difficulties, boundary setting, anger management, and navigating conflict in relationships or family dynamics.

Expertise and Additional Areas of Study:

I have the following additional courses / workshops / training:

1. EMDR Level 1
2. CAPS-5 Training for PTSD Assessment
3. Brief Mini-Interventions for Traumatic Stress
4. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teens
5. Core Competencies of Formal Clinical Assessment

I have expertise and experience working with:

1. Trauma and PTSD: Supporting clients through evidence-based approaches like EMDR and trauma-informed care.
2. Anxiety and Depression: Helping clients manage symptoms and develop coping strategies for improved emotional well-being.
3. Emotion Regulation: Working with clients to better understand and manage their emotions, particularly anger, anxiety, and sadness.
4. ADHD: Helping individuals navigate challenges with focus, organization, and impulse control.

Some of the clinical orientations, methods, and theories I integrate with ShiftGrit’s therapy protocol:

Some of the clinical orientations, methods, and theories I draw from are:

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): To help clients challenge and reframe unhelpful thought patterns.
2. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): For addressing trauma and its lasting effects.
3. Psychodynamic Therapy: To explore how past experiences shape present behaviours and relationships.
4. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): To focus on immediate, actionable steps toward achieving clients’ goals.
5. Narrative Therapy: To help clients reframe their stories and view their challenges in a new light.

People like working with me because...

I bring a balance of compassion and accountability into my sessions. Clients appreciate my focus on helping them gain insight into their concerns while also providing practical tools to meet their goals. My sessions are supportive, non-judgmental, and focused on fostering lasting, meaningful change.

FA Bit More About Me...

I work with clients to go beyond coping strategies and tools, aiming to uncover the deeper roots of their concerns. Together, we strive for long-term, sustainable changes that foster healing and growth.