Mirabai Ingles, CT

The opposite of depression is expression.
— Edith Egar
About Me

Hi, I’m Mirabai, a Counselor Trainee.

In our work together, I aim to offer a warm, grounding space where you can explore and express your emotions in ways that feel safe and authentic. I believe that healing begins with the courage to express yourself, even when it feels difficult. My approach is rooted in a belief that pain is often stored in the nonverbal parts of our brains. Expressing this pain creatively may allow more depth and truth to emerge than traditional verbal approaches. This process is built on a foundation of gaining awareness of your emotional and behavioral patterns to help you build lasting, meaningful shifts in your life.


What I tend to focus on

  • I am drawn to this area because I believe it is the foundation of self-understanding. In our work, I’ll support you in becoming more attuned to your emotional experiences, especially those that may be harder to articulate. Together, we’ll focus on developing somatic awareness and fine-tuning your emotional vocabulary, which can make a profound difference in how you connect with yourself and others. A meaningful shift I witness in this area is when a client is able to go from feeling a general emotion like "sadness" to a more specific feeling like "rejection."

  • Having navigated shifts in my own identity, I am deeply invested in helping clients explore and integrate their various selves. I prioritize understanding how you feel perceived by others while fostering a greater sense of wholeness within yourself. One of the most powerful changes I see in this work is when clients come to realize that their multiple identities can coexist, and that they don’t have to choose just one aspect of who they are.

  • I excel in helping clients recognize the emotional, relational, or behavioral patterns that shape their lives, often without them even realizing it. Through self-examination and reflection, we can uncover these patterns together. What energizes me most is when a client has an “aha” moment, where they recognize a repeated pattern for themselves or understand how their current actions fit into the broader framework of their history

How I Help

I use an arts-based approach that draws on nonverbal expression and explores the unconscious drivers of thoughts and behaviors. My style is client-centered and I adjust my approach to meet your unique needs, whether that’s offering more structure or embracing a more flexible, intuitive process. The balance between insight and skill-building is key, and I draw from both to help you make meaningful progress.

What Clients Often Experience

  • A greater sense of emotional clarity and expression

  • Confidence in identifying and shifting recurring patterns

  • An ability to integrate various aspects of their identity

  • A safe, supportive space to explore difficult emotions and experiences

  • Grounded insights that help you better understand yourself

More About Me

Outside of my work, I find joy in roller skating and spending time with my family. I also enjoy creating crazy quilts and participating in mail art exchanges. Growing up in a community with people from all over the world has shaped my deep comfort in connecting with individuals from all walks of life. I believe this helps me offer a nonjudgmental, inclusive space for everyone.

Education & Professional Affiliations

Education:

  • MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Art Therapy Concentration, Antioch University (Anticipated Graduation: May 2027)

  • BA in Sociology and Anthropology, minor in English, West Virginia University (2005)

Professional Associations:

  • American Counseling Association

  • American Art Therapy Association

  • Buckeye Art Therapy Association