About Us
Welcome to Turtle Balance, a mental health therapy centre founded by husband and wife: to help everyone live a free, powerful, and transformational life. At Turtle Balance, we firmly believe that mental health and well-being are not secondary concerns but rather, they are a priority for every individual regardless of age, background, or circumstances.
We understand the profound impact of trauma on our lives, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, lack of trust, fear of judgment, and broken relationships. At Turtle Balance, we are committed to supporting individuals & couples in healing developmental trauma, managing anxiety, and building healthy relationships. We use evidence-based experiential therapy techniques alongside traditional therapies to provide a holistic approach to mental health and well-being.
Our experiential therapy approaches include Psychodrama, Expressive Arts Therapy, NLP, Hypnotherapy, Gestalt and Internal Family Systems, among others. These are combined with traditional therapies such as Psychoanalysis, CBT, REBT, DBT, EFT, and EMDR, ensuring a comprehensive and tailored therapeutic experience for each individual and couple.
We invite you on this transformative journey with us. Remember, mental health is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Together, let's prioritize mental health and well-being for everyone.
Our services include Therapy & Counselling, Relationship Therapy, Transformation Coaching, Couples Therapy, Group Therapy, and Workshops for groups, corporates and institutions.
Vision:
We envision a world where individuals live free from the burdens of trauma, feeling safe to connect without fear of judgment, nurturing healthy self-esteem, and fostering safe and healthy connections with themselves and others.
We envision couples building strong, supportive relationships that lead to healthy family dynamics. Where they can heal together, communicate openly, and develop deep, trusting bonds.
We aspire to a society enriched by well-trained therapists and psychologists capable of handling complex trauma cases and relationships, ultimately benefiting communities and future generations.
Mission:
To provide a safe, and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore and express their emotions, heal from trauma, and cultivate healthy relationships through high-quality psychotherapy and counseling.
To empower couples with insights and skills to build and sustain healthy relationships by facilitating mutual healing, constructive conflict resolution, enhancing sexual intimacy, and nurturing deep, trusting connections.
To provide quality training and expert guidance to therapists and psychologists in trauma-informed care, preparing them to skillfully navigate complex trauma cases and relationship dynamics with confidence and compassion
Our Approach
To ensure your therapeutic and coaching journey is enriching and safe, we employ an eclectic and integrated approach to therapy that emphasizes creativity and enjoyment. We blend a variety of Western, humanistic, and Eastern research-based therapy methods, respecting each person's uniqueness and cultural background. This approach allows us to tailor our therapeutic strategies to meet individual needs comprehensively. Our goal is to help clients recognize and harness their strengths, developing meaningful and sustainable change
Our Values
Confidentiality: Your privacy is paramount. Everything you share with us will be kept confidential, ensuring a safe space for healing and growth.
Acceptance: We accept you for who you are, without judgment. Everyone deserves to be loved and respected, and we are here to provide that unconditional acceptance.
Empowerment: We believe in your strength and resilience. Our mission is to empower you to take control of your life and achieve your goals, fostering self-esteem and self-confidence.
Compassion: Treating everyone with compassion and understanding is at the heart of our practice. We will support you through every challenge with empathy and care.
Holistic Care: We treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. Our approach considers your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, promoting comprehensive healing.
Trauma-Informed Care: We are committed to providing trauma-informed care. Understanding the impact of trauma on the brain and body, we ensure you feel safe and supported throughout your healing journey.
LGBTQIA+ Affirmation: We affirm the identities of LGBTQIA+ individuals and offer a safe, supportive space for exploring and embracing your identity. We understand the unique challenges and discrimination faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and strive to provide tailored support.
Sex Positivity: We promote a sex-positive approach, encouraging you to explore your sexuality with freedom, pleasure, and respect for yourself and others.
Diversity and Inclusion: Quality mental health care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or beliefs. We are committed to inclusivity in all our services.
Environmental sustainability: We are committed to operating in a sustainable way.
We believe these values are essential to creating a just and equitable world. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your journey toward healing and well-being.
Founders
Mita Menezes
MA-Psy, CAGS, PGD-SP, MBA-HR, PhD Scholar
Psychologist, Experiential Therapist and Coach
Certified Couple & Family Counsellor
Expressive Arts Leadership Facilitator (EGS, Switzerland)
Psychodrama Executive Leadership Practitioner (PIB, Germany)
Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (ISTI, USA)
Certified LGTBQIA+ Affirming Therapist (PESI, USA)
Certified NLP Trainer, Leadership & Transformation Coach (NLPEA, UK)
With over a decade of experience and a wealth of qualifications, Mita Menezes is a highly respected psychologist, therapist, and coach specializing in trauma, anxiety, and relationships. As the co-founder of Turtle Balance, she is dedicated to helping individuals improve their mental health, relationships, and well-being through a holistic, experiential approach.
Trained to be Trauma-Informed and certified as a Sex Therapy Informed Professional and LGBTQIA+ affirming, Mita's expertise ensures a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all clients.
Education & Qualifications: Mita's academic background underscores her commitment to excellence and comprehensive care. She holds four postgraduate degrees, including an MA in Clinical Psychology, an MBA in Human Resources, a PG in School Psychology, and a CAGS in Expressive Arts Leadership. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Expressive Arts Therapy from Switzerland.
She is a certified Psychotherapist with postgraduate-level certifications in Psychodrama Psychotherapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Advanced Mental Health Psychotherapy, Couple & Family Counseling, and Traumatic Stress Studies.
She holds certifications in various therapy modalities, including EMDR, CBT, REBT, DBT, SFBT, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Internal Family Systems, Behavior Modification, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Her dedication to constantly honing her skills ensures she provides the most effective and evidence-based interventions.
Training & Supervision: Mita's journey in the field of psychology and therapy has been shaped by invaluable mentorship and guidance from esteemed professionals. She has trained under senior psychiatrists and psychologists in hospitals, NGOs, and counseling centres, gaining deep insights into the complexities of human behaviour and trauma.
Additionally, Mita has had the privilege of training and receiving supervision from prominent figures such as Bessel van der Kolk, Dr Tammy Nelson, Scott Giacomucci, and Dr José Miguel, who are distinguished experts in the fields of Traumatic Stress, Sex Therapy, Psychodrama, and Expressive Arts. Their mentorship has inspired her to strive for excellence and remain dedicated to ongoing supervision and learning.
Career & Experience: Mita's career includes roles as a college lecturer, HR manager, employee trainer, and coach in India and the UAE. She also co-owned a fitness centre where she conducted stress and anxiety management programs tailored for women. These experiences ignited her passion for helping others lead better lives.
Deepening her passion, she ventured into psychology and therapy, volunteering in NGOs, wellness centres, hospitals, and universities. She facilitated for differently abled children, participated in community-based camps, and served as a lay counsellor in HIV and addiction centres, and nursing homes showcasing her dedication to making a positive impact.
Her Journey: Mita's burning desire to uplift and empower was ignited by facing her own challenges and witnessing the struggles of others firsthand. Her journey into psychology and therapy is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. Growing up, she faced the challenges of childhood abuse, leading to anxiety and emotional turmoil. Determined to heal herself, she delved into the world of psychology, seeking answers and learning about the impact of trauma on mental health. Through this journey of self-discovery and healing, she realized the transformative power of therapy and the importance of compassionate support. Along with this, supporting differently-abled children, aiding individuals battling addiction, and volunteering at NGOs further solidified her passion for making a genuine difference. Today, as the co-founder of Turtle Balance, Mita is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment for others to heal and bring positive change in every life she touches.
Global Experience: Having worked and collaborated with people from diverse cultures and industries around the globe, Mita brings a unique global perspective to her practice and is an expert in complex trauma, anxiety and interpersonal-intrapersonal relationships. Whether you're navigating relationship challenges or seeking personal growth & healing, rest assured, you're in capable hands.
Mita's rich practical experiences and extensive education contribute to her exceptional and diverse skill set. Her unwavering passion for learning and staying updated with research-based therapy techniques ensures she provides the best possible care for her clients, empowering them to heal from past traumas, anxiety and build healthy, fulfilling relationships.
Rohan Fernandes
Rohan, an upcoming Couples and Relationship Counselor, co-founded Turtle Balance, an experiential psychotherapy & counseling centre, with therapist and psychologist Mita Menezes. His journey into the mental health field was driven by a deep commitment to personal growth and emotional well-being.
Rohan brings a wealth of business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit to Turtle Balance. After completing an MBA, he gained experience at SOTC, a leading travel and tourism company. He further honed his research expertise by conducting market analysis for a real estate firm.
His entrepreneurial journey continued as he owned and managed a successful fitness centre in the UAE, solidifying his passion for health and well-being. Today, he is undergoing training & supervision to become a certified Couples and Relationship Counselor, following his newfound passion for helping couples build stronger, healthier relationships
In his free time, Rohan is passionate about exploring the mysteries of science and astrophysics. He finds joy in understanding the intricacies of the universe and our place in it. He is also deeply interested in philosophy, religion, atheism, and rationality, approaching these subjects with an insatiable curiosity and scepticism. His exploration of diverse belief systems and ideologies reflects his commitment to understanding the human experience from a holistic perspective.
At Turtle Balance, Rohan ensures smooth and efficient operations while co-facilitating workshops, blending his knowledge with Mita's therapeutic skills to deliver impactful experiences for their clients.