With a cuppa in hand, discover yourself at this cafe

BENGALURU: Walk into this cafe in Indiranagar and you will be offered more than the usual coffee and sandwiches. On their menu is a list of psychometric tests that they believe will help you discover yourself better. Tucked away from the hustle bustle is Cafe Atrelier, a house converted into a cafe that also doubles up as a place to seek help from mental health professionals. You can walk in to either have an analysis of you strengths and weakness or get a mental well-being issue addressed.

Each of the rooms have been converted into spaces where one can express themselves through art -- be it writing, painting or photography -- and have the works analyzed. From writing anonymous letters about one’s life for others to read, to travel and photography, the cafe works on the principal that art can heal. Individual solutions are available for those with special needs. For children with development issues, there is an animal-assisted therapy where one can improve with the help of a dog. ‘Devil’s mind’, another room, offers a canvas to draw and paint.   

Founded by Priyanka M B, a 24-year-old psychologist, and Nithish Meti, a 25-year old motivational speaker, the cafe’s doors are open to all. For someone wanting to seek help from mental health professionals, appointments can be sought online or through telephone.

Speaking about the initiative, Priyanka said, “There is a lot of stigma when someone wants to go visit a psychologist or psychiatrist and seek help. Here, we have an informal setting where people can walk into the cafe and speak to experts. We believe in integrating art, dance, music, theatre and therapy for overall wellbeing.

‘Tests on the go’ is also something the cafe offers at an affordable price, according to Meti, the co-founder. “People have a perception that psychometric tests have to be taken online and it will cost them a lot. That is not the case here.” ‘Love Guru’, as they call it, is one such test. Couples can take the relationship compatibility test to understand what areas they need to work on to improve compatibility.

Cafe opens today

Nitish and Priyanka have been offering these services on a freelance basis since five years. The cafe is being inaugurated on Monday. Priyanka said they have on board a team of 15 clinical psychologists and psychiatrists, some of who work as consultants at the cafe. Dr Jagadish from Abhaya Hospitals is one of
the directors.