Purvi Sonthalia Interview
Q. To begin, could you introduce yourself and tell us what inspired you to work in the field of mental health?
Back in high school, I studied commerce because I come from a business family. However, since 8th grade, I always felt a strong drive to study psychology because I had friends who were struggling with their mental health. I was always the person they came to for support. I loved listening, offering support, and going above and beyond for them. But over time, I started feeling a sense of helplessness because, as a friend, there is only so much you can do. That realization made me want to pursue psychology in the future. Since my family was flexible about my studies abroad, I originally planned to do a minor in psychology while studying business. I attended Pennsylvania State University in the US as a management student. During my first year, I took two introductory psychology courses and completely fell in love with the subject. I knew right then that this was the area I wanted as my major, while business could remain a side interest.
After completing my four-year degree, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and applied for jobs in the US. I worked for a year as a technician at the Center for Discovery, an eating and mood disorder residential facility in Kansas City. That experience motivated me even further because it provided a reality check on what clinical work and mental health look like outside of college textbooks. I enjoyed my work so much that I decided to move back to India to put that knowledge to use. I knew I wanted to pursue a master's degree in India eventually because to work with an Indian audience, I needed to be exposed to the culture and education system here again. Culturally, being born and raised in India, I feel I can resonate better with people here while bringing back the ethics, learning, and exposure I gained in the US.
When I moved back last August, I decided to complete certifications in life coaching and creative expressive movement. I was still figuring out my transition and was not planning to pursue a master's immediately. That is how True & Unbound was born. It started as a page to raise awareness about eating disorders and gradually evolved into a brand. Observing gaps in high school education and hearing parents talk about their children, I realized I wanted to focus on helping students and young adults build healthier relationships with themselves. That became the core mission of True & Unbound: to help people reconnect with their mind and body, become more confident and emotionally resilient, understand themselves better, and communicate more effectively. Currently, I offer a six-day holistic workshop series titled "Coming Home to Yourself" for schools, colleges, and small online batches.
Q. What motivated you to start conducting mental health workshops, and who are they primarily designed for?
My main motivation comes from addressing those gaps in self-awareness and emotional education among youth. The workshops are primarily designed for teenagers and young adults aged 13 to 30, though anyone older is welcome as well. In addition to workshops, I offer one-on-one coaching to help with clarity, goal-setting, direction, affirmations, and self-development.
Q. In your experience, what are the biggest misconceptions people still have about mental health?
The biggest misconception is that people still do not see mental health struggles as normal. While conversations around mental health are increasing, people struggling with these issues are often not treated normally. It is unacceptable to make jokes about mental illnesses, or to dismiss mental health professionals with comments like working at a "mad clinic." Working firsthand with individuals facing these conditions shows how human, kind, and resilient they are. They are fighting daily to learn, live a better life, and manage conditions that are often beyond their control due to genetics or brain chemistry. Having a mental health condition or taking medication does not make anyone less human, and in India, we still have a long way to go in recognizing their strength, willpower, and vulnerability.
Secondly, clinical terms like "depression," "anxiety," and "bipolar" are used far too loosely in everyday conversation. These are serious conditions that require proper clinical assessment and diagnosis following established protocols. We need to start calling out the casual misuse of these terms. There is a distinct difference between feeling sad and having depression, or between feeling stressed and experiencing anxiety.
Q. How can someone recognise the difference between everyday stress and a situation where professional help may be needed?
In psychology, we look at the 4 Ds: Distress, Dysfunction, Deviance, and Danger. This framework helps evaluate when someone should seek professional help. Everyday stress can be healthy; "good stress" motivates us, helps us meet deadlines, and keeps us moving forward. Even uncomfortable or "bad stress," like rushing to finish work an hour before a deadline, can generally be managed.
However, professional help is necessary when stress reaches harmful levels that cause severe pain, distress, or fear, interfering with essential areas of life like work, school, relationships, and self-care. If a person becomes a danger to themselves or others and can no longer care for themselves safely, immediate professional guidance is required.
Q. What are some simple, practical habits people can adopt to improve their emotional well-being every day?
Physical movement is crucial. Engaging in 10 to 15 minutes of any movement you enjoy, whether walking, stretching, yoga, dancing, cycling, or swimming, helps regulate the body and releases brain chemicals that support emotional well-being.
Taking screen-free breaks is another valuable habit. Stepping outside onto a balcony, terrace, or garden to focus mindfully on your environment, breathing, sounds, and light helps ground you in the present moment. Journaling in the morning through a "thought dump" allows you to put all your thoughts, stress, and to-do items on paper, starting your day with a clear mind.
Connecting socially with family or friends over a meal, watching a light-hearted movie to relax, and nourishing your body with balanced meals while occasionally enjoying comfort foods also boost well-being. Since everyone is different, it is important to experiment and find what works for you. Most people operate on autopilot, so adding even a 10-minute activity that brings joy or calm can significantly improve daily life.
Q. During your workshops, is there a particular exercise or activity that consistently creates an "aha" moment for participants?
Since I recently launched these workshops, I have not identified a single exercise that consistently creates an "aha" moment for every participant. However, during the sessions, there are frequent moments of realization. Whether through movement-based activities or structured reflection sheets, you can see participants' faces light up and their body language shift as they gain clarity about their emotions. Because everyone is built differently, different activities resonate with different individuals rather than a single exercise working for everyone.
Q. How important is emotional literacy, and why do you think it should be taught from a young age?
Emotional literacy is an essential life skill that should be taught from a very young age. Emotion is the first thing a human experiences at birth, and it influences every aspect of our lives, including learning, decision-making, relationships, and self-perception.
While schools focus heavily on subjects like math and science, emotional understanding is usually absorbed informally from parents, teachers, and peers. Without proper guidance, unaddressed emotions can manifest as anger, anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem, or impulsivity. Many mental health challenges in adolescence stem from never having learned the language to navigate our internal emotional world.
Teaching emotional literacy does not prevent difficult emotions, but it equips children to handle them with confidence and resilience. Given the academic pressure and social media influence young people face today, emotional literacy should be part of the core school curriculum alongside reading and writing.
Q. Social media has become a major part of our lives. How can people maintain a healthy relationship with it while protecting their mental health?
Maintaining a healthy relationship with social media comes down to conscious consumption. Platforms run on algorithms that respond to what you view, like, and share. If you continuously engage with drama or idealized representations of people's lives, the platform will feed you more of that content, which can lead to unhealthy comparisons and negative feelings.
You have full control over your digital environment. Unfollow, block, or mute accounts that trigger self-doubt or distract you from your goals. Instead, curate your feed with content that stimulates your mind positively, such as personal growth podcasts, educational material, comedy, or art. Whenever scrolling makes you feel inadequate, disengage and choose content that supports your well-being and personal growth journey.
Purvi Sonthalia is a Mental Health and Life Coach, a Creative & Expressive Dance Movement Guide, and the Founder of True & Unbound, a mental health and personal growth platform dedicated to helping people build healthier relationships with themselves. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University in the USA. After graduating, She worked for a year at the Center for Discovery in Kansas City as a Mental Health Technician, supporting individuals in residential care. Since returning to India, She has focused on expanding my work through coaching, workshops, and mental health education. Through one-on-one coaching and group workshops, She help teenagers and young adults develop emotional literacy, regulate emotions, build self-confidence and self-worth, strengthen communication skills, set meaningful goals, and navigate life's challenges with resilience. Her approach combines psychology with experiential practices, including movement, to create a safe and engaging space for self-discovery and personal growth.
Interviewed By Vanshika Gupta
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