How we came to be

Our Story

As a survivor of complex trauma, for our founder, Dr Smriti Vallath, it started with three pressing questions: Is this what life will always be for everybody? A constant and pervasive sense of loss, hurt, and pain? When will it stop? How will it stop?

These questions grew louder with every story of struggle, every moment of unseen pain she witnessed during her 13 years of experience in the field of mental health. Through deep reflection, research, and conversations, CHI took shape and gained colour. One truth became undeniable: trauma-focused care isn’t optional—it’s essential. For lasting change, individuals must feel safe, societies must shift, and communities must evolve.

Healing cannot happen in isolation. Acknowledging this, CHI was built with carefully designed services and activities to create hopeful change. CHI thus exists to make healing a part of everyday life—where change is an embodied sense, practiced, and therefore kindness comes naturally, with boundaries to provide safety, not exclusion. A world where pain isn’t carried in silence and safety is always within reach. Healing starts with one person; but gains momentum through the collective. Our psychotherapy, well-being services, and community-building initiatives, aim at creating this togetherness , fostering agency and connection.

And No, this only sounds idealistic from the outside; inside CHI, it's "normal". But yes, the journey is long, even tedious, and we need each other!

Fun Facts

Our Logo: Deliberately chosen and co-created with a service user, the phoenix curled around the world in peace symbolizes the strength and resilience of trauma survivors. Like the phoenix, survivors carry a unique power—one that can transform their lives and, if they choose, the world around them. This kind of transformation is often seen as mystical, but whether or not you believe in magic, you still have the power to shape your own reality. The touch of red is a nod to the roots of our founder. Our Tagline- "You are more than You ever knew."- Simple, but true. You are. We are. What CHI Means: In various Eastern philosophies, CHI represents the vital life force flowing through all living beings. It's essentially strength and balance. CHI is the energy that sustains, the force that harmonizes, and the power that allows growth and renewal. At CHI, we embrace this essence—helping individuals restore balance, reclaim their strength and rise. Our colors: Green because it symbolizes vitality and growth. Often associated with nature which fights back to survive. If you've read this, that's you too! PS: It's also the favorite color of our founder's safe space. Gold because everyone deserves luxury. Beige because it's not as plain as it looks, just like us, like you and everyone else. Pink, because we want to break the cycle of what it means in the world.

Trauma and CHI

What is Trauma to us?

Trauma is messy, indefinable, and more than a checklist of symptoms. It’s deeply embedded in all living beings. At CHI, we embrace its complexity, holding space for blurred lines and imperfect understandings.

It’s not just about what happened but how it was experienced—the shock, the pain, the lasting impact. Trauma rewires the brain, shapes relationships, and ripples through communities. It lingers, festers, and affects every aspect of life.

Yes, trauma stems from war, abuse, and violence, but also from loss, rejection, and fear. It becomes a “normal”, but it shouldn't.

At CHI, we see trauma—but more importantly, we see you. You are more than you ever knew- isn't just a tagline to us, it's why we began! With the right support, people don’t just heal; they grow.

Values

Fostering Agency: We prioritize empathy, respect, and understanding in every interaction. Returning autonomy and agency to people is a goal we are driven to achieve.
Inclusivity: We are committed to serving all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Evidence: We're driven by evidence, from science of course, but also from human interaction to which science still needs catching up. Therefore, there is very little that is unacceptable to us.
Community and Support: We believe in the power of working together to create meaningful change and mutual growth.
Chasing Togetherness: We aim to equip individuals with the tools to communities. This is achieved by impacting policy, governance, and self-reliance to foster interdependence. Yes, it's all interrelated and complex. Email us to know more.

Email us to know more

what we want

We envision a world where every individual has access to trauma care—breaking cycles of pain, fostering a culture of hope and abundance, and preventing the perpetuation of intergenerational trauma cycles.

What've set out to do!

To empower individuals and communities by addressing psychological trauma through holistic, accessible, and innovative care. Fostering resilience, awareness, and CHI for growth.