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| I advise aspiring psychologists to be patient and continually train in multiple methodologies to better serve their clients. |
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
My background has always been with a strong desire to make an impact. I grew up in a household where contributing meaningfully to society was emphasized, whether through civil services, research, or other significant endeavors. Initially, I wanted to join civil services but eventually shifted to psychology, realizing my passion for it. I studied psychology, completed various trainings, and have practiced mental health awareness alongside my clinical practice as a therapist, both in clinics and workplaces. Born in Lucknow, I completed my education there, lived in Mumbai for many years, then in NCR, and now I'm back in Lucknow.
2. What motivated you to establish the LifeSurfers Wellness Foundation, and what are its core objectives?
The idea for LifeSurfers came years ago when I was experiencing personal mental health challenges and found a lack of support in the medical system. This experience highlighted the need for better mental health awareness and support systems. LifeSurfers aims to promote mental health literacy, reduce stigma and discrimination, and create safe spaces for people to talk openly. We also focus on improving the quality of mental health education and building a global mental health ecosystem in India, especially in colleges and universities.
3. How do you manage to balance your multiple roles as a psychotherapist, coach, educator, and entrepreneur?
I enjoy all my roles, both personal and professional, and create clear boundaries between them. I allocate specific hours each day to different tasks and sometimes say no to work that doesn't align with my values. I balance my time between activities that fulfill my passion and those that earn a living. It's about dedicating time effectively to each role and maintaining a good balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.
4. Can you share your experience and key learnings from co-founding and running the 'Let's Talk' COVID mental health crisis support helpline?
The helpline was operational during the peak of the COVID crisis and closed in March 2023. It was crucial in providing crisis support, not just for mental health but for various psychosocial issues. We had about 200 and upto 300 volunteers working around the clock. One key learning was the importance of accurate information dissemination and the need for better advertisement of mental health helplines. The experience also highlighted the extraordinary ways people come together to support each other in crises. Personally, I learned a lot about managing teams, setting protocols, and quickly establishing effective support systems.
5.What unique challenges do you encounter in relationship and couple coaching, and how do you address them?
One major challenge is that people often don't understand the effort required to maintain relationships. It's a constant give-and-take, requiring inner work and mutual contribution. Another challenge is addressing gender stereotypes and the social expectations around marriage. It's important to view marriage not just as a social institution but as a partnership between two individuals. Effective relationship coaching involves helping couples see beyond societal pressures and focus on their mutual growth and understanding.
6. What advice would you give to aspiring psychologists and mental health educators who want to make a significant impact in their communities?
I advise aspiring psychologists to be patient and continually train in multiple methodologies to better serve their clients. Social media presence doesn't determine your effectiveness as a therapist. Decide whether you want to be a therapist, an influencer, or both, as they require different skill sets. Community mental health work is distinct and requires patience, alliances, and an understanding of the healthcare system. It's crucial to adhere to ethical practices and boundaries, especially when it comes to supervision and clinical practice.
7. Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives that you are particularly excited about?
Yes, we have several exciting projects in the pipeline, which we will announce on social media and LinkedIn soon. We continue to focus on our core values of inclusion, accessibility, peer support, mental health literacy, and creating culturally appropriate mental health strategies. Anything that aligns with these beliefs and values will be a part of our ongoing work
Bio:
Snigdha is a Psychologist, Relationship - Couple Coach and mental health Educator. She is the founder of LifeSurfers Wellness Foundation (LWF) and a Founding Member of the Bharatiya Counselling Psychology Association and Let's Talk (COVID mental health crisis support Helpline). She runs her foundation in Lucknow, UP & a consultant with a US-based global Mental Health AI organisation while running a global consulting practice.
With the backing of over 17years of work experience with varied clientele globally, she has expertise in working with people with emotional problems and mood disorders. She runs a successful global practice as a Relationship - Couple coach. Through her journey as a person and therapist, she’s learnt that gender , intersectionality and relationships form the core of who we are and often are the reasons for our continued distress. She, therefore, focuses on helping people empower themselves, minimise distress and evolve to find better meaning in their everyday lives despite their social, gender, and structural positioning and conditions.
With almost 17yrs of work experience as a Psychologist and Corporate Wellness Expert, she has worked with organisations like Johnson & Johnson, CA Technologies, Accenture, Amex, Glaxo Smith Kline, HSBC, Tata Consultancy Services, Citibank, IBM, Rio Tinto, Engineers India Ltd., Synopsys, Wipro, Bank of America, United Spirits Ltd, Concentrix and Barclays to name a few.
Her current work also expands as a Global Mental health professional & the Co-Founder of LWF to bridge the Mental Healthcare gap in India.
She has training and expertise in Cognitive and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapies and clinical Hypnotherapy. Snigdha has training in CBT from The Beck Institute, Philadelphia, USA and is a certified Corporate Social Responsibility Trainer from the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, India.
Snigdha is an avid reader, music lover, passionate cook and social activist. She actively supports capacity building and awareness of Gender Equality & Mental Health.
You can follow her as @therapynmore and @lifesurfersorg on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube ,Facebook & LinkedIn
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