At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Aanya Jai for an exclusive interview with us. Aanya is a Psychologist, Author, Mental Health Advocate and Founder of ProBehave. Let’s learn more about her background, her journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Aanya:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My professional journey has spanned over 10 years in the field of psychology, with a strong focus on mental health advocacy, interdisciplinary research, and psycho-education.
After completing my bachelor’s degree in computer science, I pursued two master’s degrees: one in psychology and another in public administration, which allowed me to cross-pollinate ideas across diverse domains.
My academic experiences include presenting my paper at Harvard Summer School on ‘Efficacy of Imagination in Children and Adults’ and completing the Women Entrepreneurship Programme at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore.
I founded Pro Behave, a Chat stories platform & startup dedicated to integrating psychology into daily life, catalyzing self-discovery, and empowering people through an interdisciplinary approach.
Pro Behave has collaborated with over 40 organizations and has built a community of more than 20,000 followers, fostering innovation and creativity in psychology through narrative therapy, expressive arts, and trauma-informed methods.
Currently, I’m actively engaged in my private practice in Indore, conducting workshops and community-building initiatives while continuing to explore intersections of psychology with philosophy, quantum physics, robotics, and the arts.
‘ProBehave’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
Pro Behave is an innovative platform that uses interactive chat stories—narrative-driven, conversation-based experiences—to integrate psychology into daily life. These stories resonate emotionally, engaging users while subtly teaching life skills, coping mechanisms, and ways to better understand themselves and others.
This approach is especially helpful for individuals who find traditional therapeutic models inaccessible or intimidating, making psychology both practical and approachable.
Our platform transcends the traditional boundaries of psychology by positioning it as a daily tool for emotional and mental well-being, similar to a supplement. We create a space where psychology becomes relatable to individuals from all walks of life, from entrepreneurs to artists, offering interactive, culturally rooted learning experiences. In addition to chat stories, we conduct workshops with local communities, fostering the democratization of psychological knowledge.
Looking ahead, Pro Behave is poised to revolutionize mental well-being and education. Our vision is to make psychology a foundational part of everyday life, not just in India but globally. We aim to foster a world where understanding oneself and others becomes second nature, through creative stories, innovative technology, and therapeutic insights.
By blending modern technology with ancient wisdom, Pro Behave equips both present and future generations with tools for self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful human connections.
Whether you’re passionate about psychology, storytelling, or exploring human behaviour, Pro Behave offers an inclusive, engaging space for growth and learning. Our journey is just beginning, and with each new story and conversation, we aim to create a more emotionally intelligent and connected world.
Pro Behave’s tagline, “Promoting conversations around behaviour,” reflects the importance of quality conversations in shaping our human experience. The logo symbolizes the authentic self at the centre, with shades of blue and green representing growth and consciousness. The surrounding dots highlight the evolving nature of personality, balancing self and society, and illustrating their interplay across social, cultural, and psychological dimensions.
As a psychologist and therapist for over a decade, I’ve integrated numerous therapeutic approaches into the foundation of Pro Behave. This diverse blend of methodologies ensures the platform remains flexible, dynamic, and able to address a wide array of human experiences. By not being confined to one modality, Pro Behave brings together the best of therapeutic practices to offer users deeper, well-rounded insights, making psychology approachable for everyone.
My Story:
Growing up, I was fascinated by human behaviour but found little understanding from those around me. It wasn’t until I pursued psychology after a degree in computer science that I could formally explore this curiosity.
Now, after ten years in the field, I’ve created Pro Behave to help others understand themselves and those around them, much like the ancient Panchatantra stories once did for morality.
Pro Behave will serve the modern generation by bringing psychology into daily life—through conversations, stories, and technologies like AI and VR. We aim to democratize psychological knowledge, making it available to everyone, from here on Earth to the moon, and beyond.
How does your interdisciplinary approach enhance the effectiveness of your work in psychology and personal development?
My interdisciplinary approach enriches my work by blending various fields such as psychology, art, technology, and philosophy. This integration allows me to create holistic and innovative solutions for personal development and mental well-being.
By combining psychological theories with artistic expression, I provide clients with unique tools for self-discovery and emotional expression. Leveraging technology, I enhance the accessibility and impact of my work, making psychological insights and therapeutic techniques available in interactive and engaging formats.
This cross-disciplinary method not only broadens the scope of traditional psychological practice but also caters to diverse needs and learning styles. It helps clients to engage more deeply with the material, fostering a richer and more personalized growth experience.
Ultimately, this approach aligns with my mission to democratize psychological knowledge and make it an integral part of everyday life, promoting resilience, creativity, and well-being across various contexts.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What keeps me going through the challenges is the deep belief in transformation and growth, not just within myself but in the people I work with. My work is grounded in the understanding that our struggles are opportunities for self-discovery and resilience. I see life as a dynamic process, and each challenge offers a chance to evolve.
Additionally, the interdisciplinary nature of my work—blending psychology, art, philosophy, and even robotics & quantum physics—gives me a broader perspective. This keeps me curious and adaptable, especially when faced with obstacles. My commitment to mental health advocacy and helping others find their path of individuation fuels my perseverance.
On a more personal note, being a mother to my son motivates me to stay strong. I want to model resilience, showing him that navigating life’s challenges can lead to growth and meaningful change.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
The three most important lessons I’ve learned in life are:
Resilience fuels growth – Life’s challenges are not to be avoided but embraced. Each obstacle has taught me that resilience is the key to transformation, as it allows us to adapt and evolve. Life itself is the greatest teacher, and the humility it instils is invaluable.
Small actions have powerful effects – The butterfly effect has shown me that even the smallest change can have profound impacts. In moments of doubt, I’ve learned that persistence and authenticity can spark transformative outcomes, both in personal growth and in our connection to others.
We are defined by our connections and patterns – Relationships are not bound by blood or law but by choice. Understanding the patterns in our lives is essential to self-awareness, and recognizing our interconnections helps us find our true place in the world. This awareness drives both individual and collective well-being.
If you could implement three changes in the field of psychology or mental health, what would they be?
Expand the scope of psychology – Move beyond viewing psychology solely as a tool for mental health treatment. Emphasize its role as a proactive and preventive measure, much like supplements or vitamins, to enhance overall well-being and personal growth.
Promote intrapersonal intelligence – While we have robust tools for assessing scientific and cognitive aspects, there is a need to nurture intrapersonal intelligence in individuals. Increasing focus on studying human behaviour and emotional self-awareness can significantly improve our understanding and create a more empathetic world.
Democratize psychological knowledge – Reduce the elitism in psychology by integrating its principles into formal education and community learning. Just as basic scientific concepts like gravity are universally taught, psychological concepts should be made accessible to all ages. This would equip individuals with life-enhancing skills and promote a more informed and supportive society.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
In my opinion, success is deeply subjective—not just in comparison to others but in how it evolves within myself. On some days, success is simply spending quality time with my son, and the key to that is **prioritization**.
On other days, it’s about managing my emotions well, and then the key becomes **self-awareness** and truly loving what I do. And sometimes, it’s achieving a goal I set months prior, where the key was **fortitude**.
Success is much like a video game—each level unlocks new challenges, and the keys to overcoming them vary. Ultimately, true success is when external validation fades, and internal validation becomes enough.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
For students and young professionals aspiring to have a successful career, I would offer the following advice:
Embrace career evolution – In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s likely that you’ll have multiple careers throughout your lifetime. Just as I have integrated my passions into roles as an author, psychologist, and poet, be open to evolving your career paths. Embrace the fluidity of career transitions and leverage your diverse interests and skills.
Align success with your evolving priorities – Success is deeply personal and changes with time. In your early 20s, you might prioritize fame or financial success based on your circumstances. As you grow, your focus might shift towards lifestyle, service to others, personal growth, or exploring new fields. Ultimately, success will be defined by what brings you the most contentment and aligns with your authentic self, while considering the pace and environment that suits you best.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
What makes my journey satisfying and exciting is the continuous integration of my passions and the impact it has on others. Combining roles as an author, psychologist, and poet allows me to explore and express different facets of my identity while contributing to the well-being of others.
I’m particularly thrilled by the opportunity to integrate technology into my work. My connection and love for technology enable me to see and shape the new world, using tech to enhance and expand my professional endeavours.
The dynamic nature of my work—interweaving psychology with art, philosophy, and cutting-edge technology—keeps me constantly engaged and inspired. Witnessing the positive changes in the lives of those I work with and the meaningful connections I build adds a profound sense of fulfilment. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities for growth, making the journey both rewarding and invigorating.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
