Nitika Gupta
Founder, Fresh Air Therapy, PLLC
Licensed Professional Counselor (Washington, DC and Pennsylvania)
MM, M.Phil.Ed., M.S.Ed., BA
Hello there! My name is Nitika Gupta (pronounced like “Ithaca” with an N). Welcome to Fresh Air! I’m so glad you’re here.
​
Here is a little bit about my therapy style –
​
With almost ten years of experience in mental health, I have worked with clients in Philadelphia, DC, Mumbai, New Delhi, and all over the world, as they navigate the complexities of life. Having spent my life between India and the US, I have grown familiar with the perks and challenges of cultural amalgamation.
​
My approach to mental health is built around my belief that therapy is not meant to “fix” you, because you are not broken. The stereotypical “and how does that make you feel” strategy is not my style. Instead, I guide clients to challenge maladaptive patterns of behavior, re-examine and re-establish boundaries with self and others, and develop life-long strategies. Humor (when appropriate, of course) is an important part of my therapeutic practice, which allows me to share a relatable rapport with my clients. Empowering individuals to be the ultimate expert through a collaborative and compassionate counseling style, while nurturing a healthy therapeutic relationship is my main goal. I do my best to help people stabilize their moods and situations through awareness, mindfulness, and positive change.
​
The strategies I employ to find meaningful and effective solutions come from cognitive behavior therapy, person-centered therapy, and existential therapy, among others. My methods are trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and mindfulness-based. In my opinion, successful therapy is as much about celebrating positives as learning to manage challenges. I strongly believe in ethical, professional therapeutic methods based on sound research, and follows the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics.
Here’s a little bit about me –
​
I was born in Mumbai (or Bombay, as I call it), India and moved to the US at the ripe age of 17 for college. After completing my bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and master’s degrees in mental health counseling from the University of Pennsylvania, I got licensed as a Professional Counselor. I then moved back to India for a few years, where I set up the first version of Fresh Air. After returning to the US and living and working in Washington, DC for a few years, I decided to bring Fresh Air back! My hope is to support the mental health of clients globally, as I continue to explore a nomadic life. Travel, hikes, concerts, yoga, spending quality time with friends and family, and petting every dog on the street help me achieve a great life-work balance.