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 Anushka Kharbandafor an exclusive interview with us. Anushka is a Counselling Psychologist and Founder of Insight To Light . Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Anushka:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
As a part of my journey, here, I’m more specifically sharing about my relationship with psychology and it has been extraordinary. When I was in 10th grade, I learnt that my school offered psychology as an elective and at that moment I was intrigued by the subject.
As I started learning the basics of psychology and its application in daily life, I felt more empowered. I pursued a Bachelor in Applied Psychology and a Masters in Counselling Psychology and kept on doing a lot of other courses to enhance my toolkit as a counsellor.
Each day of this journey, I try to learn something new and support my clients in the most suitable way possible!
How did you discover your passion?
While I knew I wanted to pursue psychology since 10th grade, my passion for counselling psychology was discovered during COVID-19. As I saw so many people in distress, I realized the need for mental health awareness and support.
Furthermore, I was doing online courses during that time that helped me realise that through counselling psychology, as one works with clients, gradually a better quality of life can be achieved.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
I feel there is still a lot of stigma around seeking support for mental health concerns. There is also a lack of awareness, for instance, I remember a guest asking me if one has to study to be eligible for conducting counselling sessions. I do understand where these questions are coming from.
I feel while at times it might be disheartening, these questions also act as fuel for me to keep working hard in this field so that each person can seek support for their emotional concern without any stigma.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
I feel life is a wonderful teacher! We keep on learning so many lessons in this school of life, and for me, some of the important lessons include being optimistic, and forgiving oneself and others, along with something that I have heard from Cinderella– ‘Have courage and be kind!’
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
I started my journey as a freelancer and this journey taught me a lot of things. While I feel I still have a lot of goals to achieve, the aspects that have helped me achieve my current goals include being consistent especially as a freelancer the journey initially was challenging but being consistent helped me a lot!
Furthermore, constantly upskilling myself, learning as much as I can and unlearning as well if needed. I also try to be as disciplined as I can. I have been maintaining a to-do list ever since school days and I feel that is very useful. These little things hold a lot of meaning for me!
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Students often reach out inquiring regarding the prospects of this field. It’s great how they are excited to join the field, looking for opportunities through internships and working hard to increase mental health awareness. One thing that helped me, and I feel can help others as well, is being open to learning so that one can find their specialisation.
It was after I participated in a lot of training that I was able to figure out that counselling psychology is something that I want to excel in. Further, keep on honing your skills, read a lot of books, and try to get as much practical exposure as possible.
One book that I’m reading nowadays is ‘The Gift of Therapy’ and I feel it’s an amazing book, would highly recommend it to young professionals!
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
Each day in counselling sessions, I get an insight into people’s journeys, their strengths, and their courage and that in itself is a highly rewarding experience.
I remember when I initially started as a pro-bono counsellor, one of my first few clients shared a handwritten note of gratitude and such gestures act as reminders of why I joined this field – to support people seeking mental health-related help in the best way possible!
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