Akash Bhatia

Akash Bhatia is a Lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and serves as Creative Knowledge Center Manager & Music Therapist at the Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA). He holds an MA in Music Therapy & Counseling from Drexel University and a BA in Music and Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University. His therapeutic approach integrates Rogerian client-centered therapy, child-centered play therapy, and relational-cultural therapy within music therapy frameworks.

Clinical specialties include depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment disorders, ASD, ADHD, and addictions. At ITA, he leads professional development programs on anti-oppressive, trauma-informed practices. Published works explore sociocultural identities in therapy, including South Asian music therapy perspectives and male therapist experiences.