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1. Tell us about your background and journey
I have completed my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, and my Bachelor's in Psychology from St Xavier's College, Ahmedabad. I was lucky enough to study Psychology in school, which gave me a headstart into this field. I knew early on in my course of study about the area of Psychology that I wished to pursue further.
During my Bachelor's, I interned as a content developer where I formulated lesson plans on Social and Emotional Learning. This internship made me realise that there's so much more to the subject and that there are innumerable ways to connect Psychology with our everyday lives.
I learned how to leverage the knowledge of Psychology in building life skills. Further on, during my master's, I had an amazing hands-on exposure to real-world therapy. I interned as a counselor under supervision which helped me identify the kinds of issues I was comfortable dealing with.
I not only experienced the world of Psychology as a student but also as someone who had her own mental health struggles (more of it in the next section) However, even though it wasn’t the smoothest road, I am immensely grateful for all the learnings.
2. What led you to take up this career path?
I have always had a strong sense of curiosity when it comes to the mind and the psyche. I've loved everything about Psychology, from its mind-bending theories of personality to super practical therapeutic models. I was quite clear that I wanted to do something that involved Psychology.
Another major reason for taking up this career path was going through some mental health struggles of my own. I used to have super low self-esteem and anxiety as a child and a teenager. I also suffer from Hypothyroidism which worsened my mental health. I also had my first panic attack during the last years of my bachelor’s and that was the last straw. I questioned myself about my choice of career because how could I help someone if I was miserable myself?
Luckily, I had super supportive family and friends and a few resources that helped me drag myself out of mental health struggles. I could empathize with my clients deeply, having been through some struggles myself. I worked on myself and kept reading self-help resources, which really saved me. By the time I got my first job, I was 10× more confident. I felt a strong calling to support others who felt 'lonely' in their healing journeys, who felt as if no one really 'understood' them.
This led me and my co-founder, Shivangi, to build our own start-up called Varenya. By taking up this career path, I feel as if I am being of service to people who went through similar struggles that I did. Varenya also published a Self-help Journal that deeply reflects our individual self-healing journeys and contains the resources that have helped us immensely. Our journal aims to facilitate a self-growth journey and contains more than 35 mental wellness exercises that help build the skills for a resilient and positive mindset.
3. As the Founder of Varenya Counselling, what motivated you to establish this counselling service, and what unique approach or philosophy do you bring to help individuals connect meaningfully to the world around them?
When I stepped out into the field as a professional, I was stunned by the number of unqualified ‘professionals practicing in this field. And what is more disturbing is the fact that these were some very famous names in the Mental Health Industry. From pairing therapy with Past Life Regression practices to pairing it with Tarot reading and Crystal healing, I realized how flawed the whole mental health industry had become.
Varenya is an effort to reduce the stigma and misinformation attached to Mental wellness and make it more accessible and fun.By starting Varenya, I wish to change the narrative from “Mental wellness is a luxury” to “Mental wellness is a necessity”. I aim to help people inculcate mental well-being in their everyday lives and not see it as something that needs attention only when it’s broken.
At Varenya Counselling, we operate by the mantra: “Ahameva Sarvah” which translates to “I alone am all”. We believe that everything you will ever need is already within you. Our approach at Varenya is to help people turn inward and seek guidance from within. We believe that when an individual comes to us with a problem, they also come with the ability to overcome it. As psychologists, we act as catalysts in the journey of growth and change that our clients go through.
Me and my co-founder are deeply spiritual and hence, our approach and the products we develop are also influenced by connecting mental well-being and spirituality.
4. You have experience as a Counselor at We Positive Parenting. How do you tailor your counseling approach when working with parents, and what challenges do you often address in this context?
In my work as a Parenting Counselor, I usually go with a client-centered approach instead of a more directive approach. Since I am still young, I do understand that I have limitations when it comes to understanding the struggles that parents face in general.
Therefore, my approach involves first understanding parenting in general and then understanding parenting styles from the POV of my clients since it's very subjective. Understanding how parents differ in their approach to parenting helps me further implement strategies that are tailored to their parenting. Some of the most common challenges I have addressed include the lack of communication between parents and children, the dynamics between parents that eventually influence the dynamics they have with their children and conflicts due to generation gap.
5. For individuals considering a career in psychology, what advice would you offer based on your own experiences and journey in the field?
If you’re considering a career in Psychology, try to work in as many different roles as you can during your college years. Even when you feel that it’s not related to Psychology, you’ll learn a lot of skills that will prove helpful in the future.
This is especially for individuals who want to build a mental health start-up. Secondly, don’t be disheartened by the stigma attached to mental health. The narrative around mental health is changing gradually and India too, has promising opportunities for budding psychologists. Consistency and Patience will be your biggest strengths when you want to build a career in Psychology.
6. What are some common myths in society about psychology?
Myth 1: Psychology is similar to/involves pseudo-science practices. The fact is that psychology is very much a “science” and includes research and evidence-based theories and practices. It is nowhere related to astrology, numerology, mind-reading, and similar practices. Psychology is the scientific study of behavior of all living beings.
Myth 2: Therapy is only for “mad”/ “crazy” people
Nothing can be farther from the truth. Therapy is for everyone. Whether you have a terminal illness or a simple cold, you still visit a doctor. It’s similar in therapy. Whether you are mentally ill or just going through a hard time, you can still visit a therapist. In fact, a lot of people go to therapy just to know themselves better and learn skills to lead a better lifestyle.
Myth 3: Psychology doesn’t have a future in India
This may have been true 5-10 years ago, but the condition is improving. There is a clear gap in the mental health industry with the demand for MHPs rising higher than ever. Yes, it’s challenging to build a lucrative career but it isn’t impossible.
Myth 4: Therapy is a luxury
Although there are professionals charging higher fees for therapy, there are tons of organizations and private practices offering sliding scales, ‘pay as you can’, and pro-bono services. A significant part of the industry does have provisions for people from financially compromised backgrounds.
7. How can one manage stress?
In order to manage stress, one should be doing things on a daily basis rather than looking for solutions only after the stress becomes too difficult to control. Our daily lives are filled with tiny stressors, and if not addressed, the stress caused from these eventually piles up.
To avoid this, have 1-2 stress-busting activities that are a part of your daily routine. These can include journaling, spending time alone, digital detox, mindfulness, exercise and more. Secondly, commit to activities that you can perform weekly or monthly that further improve your overall well being- like having a self-care routine.
Stress can have many triggers and sometimes, it can also be a result of hormonal imbalances and psychosomatic illnesses. Therefore, it’s imperative to undergo regular medical check-ups. Adding to that, look out for signs of burnout and if it feels as if you’re constantly in a fight or flight stage, slow down or take a small break.
Lastly, when stress begins to impair your daily functioning and your social life, seek help from a professional.
8. How can one handle panic attacks?
Panic attacks come out of the blue and you may feel helpless as they come at you like a huge wave of the ocean that you cannot control. Here are some tips to handle panic attacks:
Have a friend’s/family member’s number on speed dial: If you’re alone and none of the techniques seem to be working, you can call up a friend or a family member who knows that you have panic attacks and who can just be there while the situation gets better.
Carry a sour candy or stress ball: These are some relatively newer tools that have helped people dealing with panic attacks. These things work on the same principle of shifting the attention from the thoughts to the present and engaging a different sense modality.
Remind yourself that your feelings will pass. Even when it seems too overwhelming, it only lasts a few minutes and you do have control over these feelings. A panic attack is your mind’s way of alerting and telling you that you need to stay cautious. It’s not a threat itself.
Shift your attention to your breath- the feeling that you might faint or you might collapse is aggravated when your breathing becomes shallow. Thus, when you take deep breaths, you are signalling your mind that you are under control.
Shift your attention to your immediate surroundings: If controlling your breath doesn’t work for you, this tip may help. During a panic attack, your environment may become “blurry” for you and all your focus is on your thoughts. In order to ground yourself, start by looking around you and notice what you can see. You can also follow the 5-4-3-2-1 method:
- Name 5 things you can see
- 4 sounds you can hear
- 3 smells you can smell
- 2 things you can touch
- 1 thing you can eat/taste
The purpose here is to shift your focus from your negative thoughts and redirect it somewhere else. You can also start backward counting, or saying a prayer/affirmation if it works for you.
Final words: There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to dealing with panic attacks. Choose what works for you. Panic attacks are very real and these tips are only a part of the solution. Please do not completely rely on these tips and seek therapy if you’ve encountered a panic attack
Interviewed and Edited by - Arunangshu Chatterjee
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