At BrilliantRead Media, our aim is to bring to our community some of the unique and compelling stories from the start-up ecosystem. As part of this endeavour, we invited yet another passionate entrepreneur Dr Shivani Khetan for an exclusive interview with us. Dr Shivani is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Mental Health Coach, Certified Hypnotherapist, Keynote Speaker, Mentor and Author. She is the Founder of Mudita By Dr Shivani Khetan. Let’s learn more about her inspirational journey and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with her:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, tell us a little bit about ‘Mudita’ and the problems you’re solving, please;
Mudita by Dr Shivani Khetan is about sharing Joy. It’s about living a holistic life. At Mudita we encourage socialisation and communication for mental health therapeutic choices for services catering to seniors over 62 years who are struggling with feelings of loneliness, isolation or dementia.
We are catering to the mental health of elders, teens and adults. Through our sessions, we help the client to identify and define the problem.”
With sessions, they understand the problems more deeply and eventually choosing the best course of action and implementing & evaluating the choice they have made to determine the next step to their goals.
What made you passionate about clinical hypnotherapist?
Helping others heal is truly my passion. My goal is to guide my clients to find happiness and live their life to the fullest. There are certain paths that during the course of time are developed and even if we want changes don’t take place.
I believe we all are capable of making any change we desire for ourselves. Whether you are dealing with anxiety/phobia, pain, limiting belief or weight issues, hypnosis can enhance your ability and give you the tools you need to help you change what’s holding you back – the repeating negative thoughts, self-sabotaging or negative self-talk habits and more.
I also go past life regression as a means to help my clients find answers and help give them insight to further assist in the healing process.
What drives me to hypnotherapy is the fact that the use of hypnosis gives you the opportunity to make changes that last and it works on the free will of the client.
How is the lockdown period taking a toll on our mental illness?
During Pandemic times took a tool on mental health. Due to this lot of empathetic response to provide help to the affected individuals, organisations, communities and families came together to support and take help of mental health professionals came into being with online sessions and therapy.
Depression and mental health problems are something that can strike anyone and everyone. It is as normal as catching a cold or suffering from fever. This pandemic has taught people to come out of their closets and highlights that one must be more aware of it than ever.”
At present a large part of the population still does not access to professional help, owing to a reduced number of mental health facilities, therapists and psychiatrists in the country. Even today, the idea of seeking help from a counsellor is far fetched and is met with prejudice, judgments and remarks.
If nothing else I feel COVID 19 has helped to some extent demystify as well deconstructed mental health issues and made it part of daily conversations to support and acknowledge feelings and emotions of human beings to get help before the problem escalates.”
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Empowering and challenging the myths, stereotypes about wellness journey to have self-awareness and courage to do their own therapy to live a life of respect, dignity and treat others with the same ethical principles is my drive to work in this field.
I believe in sharing Joy and that’s the first principle of Mudita by Dr Shivani Khetan. I believe all people are capable of change. It is important to understand people are shaped by their experiences and circumstances. At Mudita we envision a world in which all people have access to treatment that can help them improve their mental and emotional health and achieve harmony. Healing themselves first and then later promoting healthier families and communities.
How important is it to be aware of mental health?
It is very important to know your brain health as we are very much concerned about our physical appearance and health. Emotions need to be expressed to cope with the stress and anxiety of everyday life. Through mental health therapy, one needs to tap into the subconscious mind to release inner stress.
One such therapy that I use is emotions on canvas through expressive arts therapy. It is specially curated for every individual irrespective of their expertise in art. I believe that every art is beautiful in its own way and tells a story so personal and so inspiring.”
It helps the client to manage and reduce stress thereby helping them relax all three: mind, body and soul. Art comes in handy when words fail and hence these sessions help the client helps to acknowledge and recognise feelings that hide in their subconscious. It is one of the healthiest forms of distraction.
Please share with us, how do you motivate your clients?
My focus is to help individuals heal, energise and become aware of their inner strengths. We at Mudita achieve this by providing a neutral safe space, listening to your concerns and customising a treatment plan. Communication to me is a very important scenario to improve motivation.
Listening to the need of your client is very important otherwise thoughts cannot find their solutions. Also fun is the most vital aspect of taking part in anything, and yet one of the hardest to achieve. My work is to empower clients to take on responsibilities for their own self-development and show confidence in their abilities to achieve their goals.
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
My motivation comes from “I dance because I enjoy it”. The motivation to work hard and practice and stay disciplined comes from the desire to master my skill to keep learning something new, and my genuine enjoyment for my purpose. I try to set boundaries which takes practice so that I don’t get bogged down by my client’s problems.
I schedule a daily appointment for self-care, even if it’s just alone time. For example, I schedule in time – the same I would for my client – to meditate, bike ride, exercise, soak in the hot tub and have breaks when I go silent and off my gadgets.”
I keep a gratitude journal and write five things I am grateful for. I also read works by people I admire with uplifting material that reminds me of the power we all have within us.
Last but not least when I see my clients having an “a-ha” moment and I get the privilege of witnessing their breakthrough me, it’s the most powerful stimulant I can imagine.
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.
