CHSS Distinguished Alumni - Women and Gender Studies

Nikita Fernandes

BA Psychology '19; Women and Gender Studies Minor

Nikita Fernandes, MA, MHC-LP (she/her), is an immigrant South Asian cisgender queer woman who was born and raised in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. She is a sex therapist and psychotherapist located in New York City and graduated from New York University with a master’s in mental health counseling and a dual-degree in LGBTQ health services, education, and social services.

Her multifaceted identity as a queer, poly, kinky, Indian woman significantly influences her therapy practice. In her approach, Fernandes prioritizes fostering self-compassion in the face of systemic oppression, rather than just numbing pain. Rooted in evidence-based techniques, her methods acknowledge the impact of trauma and embrace diverse cultural perspectives.