Swasti Jain Interview
“The goal isn’t to make therapy permanent, it’s to help people become their own support system.”
For this psychologist and educator, therapy isn't about making people dependent, it's about helping them become their own strongest support system. In this interview, she challenges common myths about mental health, explains why therapy isn't a quick fix, and shares how empathy shapes both her counselling and teaching.
Q. You’ve built something quite unique therapy, teaching, and counselling all under one roof. Could you tell us how that path unfolded from the beginning?
Honestly, it all started with Dear Zindagi. That film made me look at mental health from a completely different perspective. Then, studying Psychology at Lady Shri Ram College deepened that curiosity, and everything started to make sense. What began as a love for the subject gradually turned into compassion for helping people, and over time, that naturally evolved into entrepreneurship. That’s how Genzeetherapist was born—bringing therapy, teaching, and mentorship together under one roof.
Q. Mental health has become a much bigger conversation online in the last few years. What’s one thing about it that you think is still widely misunderstood, even now?
I think many people still believe mental health struggles are just attention-seeking, playing the victim, or a sign of weakness. In reality, mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of how successful or strong they appear. Seeking help is actually an act of courage, not weakness.
Q. What’s something people expect from their first therapy session that isn’t actually how it works?
A lot of people expect a quick fix, as if one session or a few words from the therapist will magically solve everything. Therapy doesn’t work like a pill or magic wand. It’s a collaborative process that takes time, consistency, and willingness to reflect. The first session is often about understanding your story and building trust rather than “fixing” everything immediately.
Q. How do you know when someone is ready to end therapy, or is that not really how it works?
There isn’t one perfect moment where someone suddenly becomes “ready.” Therapy usually ends when clients have built enough insight, coping skills, and confidence to navigate life independently. Many people begin therapy when they’ve reached a point where their emotional struggles start affecting their relationships, work, or even physical health. The goal isn’t to make therapy permanent, it’s to help people become their own support system.
Q. As a school counsellor, you’re often the first point of contact for a student in distress, sometimes before parents or teachers even know something’s wrong. What’s the hardest part of that responsibility?
One of the hardest parts is balancing trust and safety. Students need to know they can confide in you, but at the same time, when there’s a risk to their wellbeing, you have to involve parents or teachers appropriately. It often feels like providing psychological first aid or crisis intervention while carefully protecting the child’s dignity and ensuring they continue to feel supported.
Q. You help students with the subject and those preparing for entrances. Does your background as a therapist change the way you approach teaching, compared to a purely academic or textbook style?
Absolutely. My therapeutic background makes my teaching much more practical and human. I rely on metaphors, real-life examples, social-emotional learning, and life skills to explain concepts instead of just focusing on definitions. It also helps me understand where students are struggling emotionally, so I can teach with greater empathy while making psychology easier to relate to and remember.
Q. What’s the hardest part of holding space for other people’s mental health while also taking care of your own?
The emotional impact doesn’t always stay in the therapy room, it can affect you subconsciously. That’s why therapists need support too. Peer discussions, supervision, and being part of a professional community are incredibly important. They help us process difficult cases, maintain healthy boundaries, and continue showing up for our clients in the best possible way.
Q. If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
“Chaand Taare” from Yes Boss. It’s hopeful, optimistic, and reminds me to dream big while staying grounded. It captures the spirit of believing in possibilities, for myself and for the people I work with.
Bio:
Ms. Swasti Jain is the Founder of Genzeetherapist and a passionate Counseling Psychologist committed to making mental health accessible, practical, and relatable for young adults, students, children, and adolescents.
Genzeetherapist is a psychology-focused EdTech and mental health platform dedicated to mentoring students, training future psychologists, conducting workshops, facilitating internships, and bridging the gap between academic psychology and real-world practice. Beyond her roles as a psychologist, she is an educator, facilitator, mentor, content creator, and speaker who is passionate about empowering individuals with evidence-based psychological knowledge and practical skills.
Genzeetherapist is a psychology-focused EdTech and mental health platform dedicated to mentoring students, training future psychologists, conducting workshops, facilitating internships, and bridging the gap between academic psychology and real-world practice. Beyond her roles as a psychologist, she is an educator, facilitator, mentor, content creator, and speaker who is passionate about empowering individuals with evidence-based psychological knowledge and practical skills.
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