Banica Atri

About Banica Atri

Hi, my name is Banica, and I want to start by introducing myself with interests that aren\'t a part of my resume or professional bio. Normally, you’ll find me somewhere between an adventure and a cause. I’m an amateur photographer who loves capturing the beauty of nature, especially the clouds and water bodies; a national-level athlete who thrives on a challenge; and a bike-riding enthusiast always ready for the next road trip. I’m also passionate about wildlife documentation, environmental protection, and spreading awareness about animal welfare—because making the world better isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life! Professionally, I am a cognitive behavioral therapist (Lvl 3) dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health journeys with a holistic and evidence-based approach. With over 100 hours of therapy experience, I integrate CBT, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, and psychodynamic techniques to create tailored interventions that foster resilience and growth. My work goes beyond traditional therapy—I develop engaging worksheets and activities that make CBT more interactive and accessible. Collaborating closely with psychiatrists and mental health professionals, I strive to make therapy more integrative, effective, and destigmatized. My interests also extend to forensic hypnotherapy, dream analysis, neuroplasticity, and mindfulness-based interventions, allowing me to approach mental well-being from multiple dimensions. Beyond psychology, I am deeply committed to animal welfare and advocacy. As the founder of They Matter, I actively work to spread awareness, knowledge, and resources to improve the lives of stray animals. I have hosted podcasts, awareness sessions, and educational initiatives to encourage kindness and compassion, especially among children. My work with Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) has provided me with firsthand experience in canine behaviorism, service dog training, and the therapeutic benefits of human-animal interactions. I strongly believe that mental well-being is interconnected with our environment, and advocating for animal rights is a crucial part of that mission. I am always looking to connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion for mental health advocacy, animal welfare, and interdisciplinary learning. Let’s collaborate to create meaningful change!

Experience

1. Founder

   They Matter

   Mar 2022 — Present · Ahmedabad, IN

   They Matter” is the name of my organization which is in the developmental phase and aims to spread awareness, knowledge and information related to stray animal welfare, and animals in general. It also aims to put forth the experiences of individuals already working in this field with the aim of motivating and providing exposure to individuals to take small efforts for the welfare of animals everyday. It is a “Cause”. I put up information related to stray animals, which is verified, proofed and referenced, after which it is uploaded. The aim is to connect different NGOs, and individuals in every city of the country with each other, and make a network of animal welfare. The instagram page of this organization is called “@they_matter_official”.

Education

• Anand Niketan Satellite School

  11th and 12th

  2015 — 2017

• St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad

  Master of Arts - MA

  2020 — 2022

• Indira Gandhi National Open University

  Postgraduate Diploma

  2022 — 2023

• St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

  2017 — 2020