Meet Divya Batra Masiwal

I didn't set out to become an art therapist. Like many journeys worth taking, mine was unexpected—shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a growing realization that the way we approach mental health in India needed to change.

I started my academic journey with a Bachelor's degree in Business Economics. I was drawn to understanding how systems work, how to solve problems strategically, and how to create practical solutions. But somewhere during those years, I found myself increasingly interested in a different kind of problem: why do we struggle so much to talk about our emotional lives? Why is mental health still shrouded in stigma? And why do traditional approaches to therapy feel inaccessible or culturally disconnected for so many Indians?

These questions led me to pursue a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. I wanted to understand the human mind not just theoretically, but in ways that could genuinely help people heal. During my studies, I learned about evidence-based therapies, diagnostic frameworks, and the beautiful complexity of human emotion. But I also noticed something: talk therapy, as powerful as it is, doesn't work for everyone. Some emotions are too overwhelming, too deep, or too abstract to capture in words alone.

At the same time, art had been a constant companion throughout my life. Whether I was stressed, joyful, confused, or contemplative, I found myself reaching for colors, textures, and creative expression. Art didn't demand that I articulate my feelings perfectly—it gave me permission to explore them messily, honestly, and without judgment. It became clear to me that art wasn't just a hobby; it was a therapeutic tool I had been using instinctively all along.

After completing my Clinical Psychology training, I spent 9 years teaching mental health and life skills at nonprofit organizations. I worked with diverse populations—students, young adults, marginalized communities—and these experiences profoundly shaped my approach to therapy. Teaching taught me how to break down complex psychological concepts into accessible language. It showed me the power of patience, cultural sensitivity, and meeting people where they are. I learned that healing doesn't follow a script, and that the most meaningful growth often happens when we create space for people to discover their own insights.

It was during these teaching years that I began integrating art into my sessions—not as an afterthought, but as a central method. I watched students who struggled to articulate their anxiety draw it out in bold strokes. I saw individuals who couldn't talk about trauma create safe containers for it through collage. I witnessed the transformative power of creative expression again and again. That's when I knew: this was the work I needed to do.

I pursued specialized training in art therapy techniques, learning how to guide the creative process therapeutically, how to honor both the art and the person creating it, and how to integrate this approach with clinical best practices. I trained in trauma-informed care, mindfulness-based interventions, and culturally adapted therapies that honor Indian family systems and social contexts.

Today, as an Art Therapist & Psychotherapist, I bring all of these experiences together. My business background helps me approach therapy practically and goal-oriented. My clinical training ensures I'm grounded in evidence-based methods. My teaching experience means I can explain things clearly and create a safe learning environment. And my lifelong relationship with art allows me to guide others in using creativity as a pathway to healing.

I founded Artfelt Therapy because I believe mental health support in India needs to be more accessible, more culturally sensitive, and more varied in its methods. Not everyone heals through talking alone. Some of us need to paint our pain, sculpt our strength, or collage our way through grief. I'm here to create that space—a place where your healing doesn't have to fit a mold, where your emotions are honored in whatever form they take, and where art becomes a bridge between what you feel and who you're becoming.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, processing loss, exploring your identity, or simply seeking deeper self-awareness, I'm here to walk alongside you. Not as someone who has all the answers, but as a guide who believes in the wisdom you already carry—and the healing power of giving it creative expression.