"Balance Yourself Mentally and Physically " - Sheetal Chaudhary

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1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I belong to the town of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, was born & brought up in a typical joint family till my late teen years. As a young adult, I was always good with people, and loved to listen to their stories. 

I never thought that I would actually make this my Career, being a therapist. Coming from a town where psychology is still not heard of, I think I made a little dent by pursuing the road less travelled. 

2. What led you to take up this career path?

“You don’t choose Psychology, It comes to you” is what I had always believed for myself. As a kid, I always wanted to be a lawyer seeing my grandfather and father. But witnessing Clinical Depression very closely in my family, left a burning desire in me. 

It drove me to understand the nuances of the workings of the “human mind” and as an empath it came naturally to me to understand people. Although rather than using the psychotherapeutic approach to understand where the person is coming from. 

I tend to be inclined more towards the Humanistic approach, as Scott Peck says about Love - "that it is the human involvement, struggle, and willingness of the therapist to nurture the client’s growth which makes psychotherapy to be effective. 

I have come to experience that it is not the magical words or techniques which make a good therapist, but to be truly able to love and understand human emotions makes an effective counselor. 

The idea behind “my breakthrough” which is my online portal, was to make affordable and effective counselling available to people who are suffering in silence, it is about them being facilitated and bringing about an awareness within themselves to reach an attainable goal. 

3. What are some common myths in society about psychology? 

That therapy is for ‘mad’, ‘crazy’ people. It's the most common myth, people think that going to a therapist means that everything has gone terribly wrong in your life. It's not the case. I have clients who come to me, to tackle issues of daily life and have better mental health. It’s like when you come for therapy you work on your ‘mental’ immunity keeping your emotions and feelings in check. 

- Therapy is expensive , it’s not the same with every therapist. Many professionals who I know of and even me, charge minimally. Some organisations even give discounts or subsidies to students!

- That talking to a friend is equivalent to talking to a therapist & it’s only advice or solution giving. In therapy we do not give any ready made solutions, we walk with you, facilitating you to come to a working & attainable goal, together. 

4. How can people practice mindfulness? 

Honestly, I believe that to be able to practice mindfulness, you have to work on stopping the chatter first. If you don’t stop the constant mind chatter, then no mindfulness technique would ever work. So, I believe that being in touch with one’s feelings and emotions , is the first step. 

You gotta do a Mental Scan, like if something isn't right, your body will tell you, it will give you signs of heaviness or being tired. You have to tune-in. Ask yourself, what do you feel right now ? Why do you feel like that, what caused that feeling or emotion? & what can you do to not feel like that?

5. What are your tips for people who want to practice this profession? 

Know your limits, if you do not know something or feel stuck with a client, then don't push yourself. Ask for help from your supervisor or colleagues in the same filed. If you are someone who can have only 3-4 sessions in a day, then that’s fine. A tired therapist is a bad therapist. 

- Work on your mental health too, a therapist also needs a therapist. No one wants to go to a doctor who doesn’t know how to do sutures, so if you are broken yourself, it’s fine. You are only human. Seek help, to be able to help. 

- Keep learning, even if you have a masters’, do some internship in a clinical setting. Do a diploma or a certificate in a therapy from a certified institute. There is so much to explore in this field. 

6. Is work-life balance a myth or reality according to you? 

I think when you do what you absolutely love, there is nothing like work life balance. If you are yourself balanced mentally and physically, you will balance anything! 

7. How according to you can one manage stress? 

In these times of uncertainty, it’s as if everyone is suddenly talking about mental health now more than ever and giving tips and tricks, Honestly if it gets too overwhelming just ask for help.Either from your loved ones or from a professional. Just pick up your phone and call.

- Sheetal Chaudhary, Counselling Psychologist, MBCPA

- Interviewed by Shilpy Sharan