Interview with Dr. Sween Saini | Mental Health Therapist | Psychotherapist | Parenting Coach | Counselling Expert | Career Strategist | Life Skills Trainer | Founder at THE MIND MENTORZ
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 Dr. Sween Saini for an exclusive interview with us. Dr. Sween Saini is a Leader, Entrepreneur, Psychologist, Mental Health Therapist, Parenting Coach, Career Strategist, Mentor, Life Skills Trainer and Change Enabler. She is the Founder of THE MIND MENTORZ. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, her background, and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Dr. Sween:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My journey into the realm of psychology was not predestined or driven by a particular career goal. Instead, it emerged as a universal calling, guided by circumstances and a shared vision with my husband.
Before marriage, my fiancée shared his dream of establishing an IT education centre in his hometown of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, to provide skill-based training to rural youth who lacked access to quality education and opportunities.
His passion for empowering his community resonated deeply with me, and I embraced the opportunity to support his dream and share in the responsibilities. In 1991, we embarked on this journey by launching the National Institute of Computer Education (NICE) with limited resources but boundless determination.
Despite the initial challenges of introducing technology to a community unfamiliar with it, we remained steadfast in our commitment to education as a vehicle for transformation. My role as the Center Manager and Career Counselor demanded relentless dedication as I navigated the cultural barriers and persuaded parents, especially in a small, conservative town, to prioritize their daughters’ education and career aspirations.”
Over the years, as NICE gained recognition and expanded its offerings, my focus evolved to encompass not just technical education but also holistic development. From introducing summer camps for children to providing career counselling and life skills workshops for adolescents, I sought to address the diverse needs of our young students and empower them to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Additionally, my collaboration with Dr. Kiran Bedi in drug de-addiction programs and my subsequent pursuit of a Master’s in Clinical Psychology laid the foundation for The Mind Mentorz – We COACH Your SOCH- a platform dedicated to mental health awareness and support at local, national and global levels.
Eventually, psychology became my calling, the journey of my passion, dedication, and service to the community. So, we can say that I didn’t exactly choose psychology as a career; it sorts of chose me!”
And in the COVID times, I served the global masses consistently in various areas of distress and then acclaimed an honorary Doctorate Award in Clinical Psychology from the World Human Rights Protection Commission in association of Govt. of India.
Through my relentless advocacy, unwavering dedication, and tireless efforts, I have strived to make a meaningful impact on the lives of underprivileged youth, not just through education but also through holistic well-being.
My journey has been fueled by a passion for transformation, a commitment to social responsibility, and a deep-seated belief in the power of education to uplift communities and individuals alike. As I continue to tread this path, my purpose remains clear – to transform attitudes, lives, and communities, one individual at a time.
‘THE MIND MENTORZ’ is such a unique name; is genuinely self-demonstrating; your tag line is exclusively interesting too “we COACH your SOCH” Any story behind that?
Oh! Yes… of course. I love this tag line too as it has been created by my younger daughter Aayushi. As I love Coaching and training is my inner calling, preparing training content on different topics is just like therapy for me. Since the beginning of my career, I never looked at my services also as mental health treatment.
I always connected to my clients as my students or participants in any life skills training program. I never give them diagnosis on their face, rather we discuss distress, its probable reasons and dysfunctionalities as consequences.
As we proceed further, understanding individual’s tendencies, limitations and strengths, I offer different psychological & practical techniques, sharing stories, examples, songs, shayari & other motivational content and gradually this natural connection makes them feeling and acting better so getting better outcomes.”
So, here, I never operate like a mental health practitioner, imposing all my knowledge or experience on them, but rather travel down the lane with them as a facilitator transforming their cognitive patterns/thought processes helping them to navigate this journey peacefully.
Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
With over three decades of dedicated professional experience, I have traversed a multifaceted journey encompassing entrepreneurship, counselling, career strategy, and mental health practice.
Originating from a serendipitous universal calling rather than a predetermined goal, my trajectory evolved from nurturing a visionary IT education centre alongside my husband in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, to establishing myself as a stalwart in the realms of psychology, career guidance, and societal reform.
This transformative odyssey has been marked by unwavering commitment, resilience in the face of adversity, and an unyielding dedication to uplifting individuals and communities through holistic empowerment and advocacy.
At The Mind MentorzClinic, we offer a diverse range of services to address the mental health needs of individuals across all stages of life. For children and adolescents, we provide specialized counseling and therapeutic interventions tailored to their unique developmental needs. Our services aim to support children in managing challenges such as anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and academic stress, fostering resilience and emotional well- being from an early age.”
We understand the importance of parental support in nurturing a child’s mental health, which is why we offer pre-natal counseling to expectant parents. Through these sessions, we provide guidance on managing stress during pregnancy, preparing for parenthood, and fostering positive parent-child relationships. Our goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and skills needed to create a nurturing and supportive environment for their growing family.
In addition to child and family services, we offer specialized counseling for individuals and couples seeking support in their relationships. Our relationship counselling sessions provide a safe and non-judgmental space for couples to explore issues, improve communication, and strengthen their bond. Whether navigating conflicts, rebuilding trust, or enhancing intimacy, our experienced therapists provide personalized guidance to help couples overcome challenges and foster healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
At The Mind Mentorz Clinic, we are committed to addressing urgent mental health concerns, including suicide intervention and drug and screen addiction. We offer compassionate and non-judgmental support to individuals struggling with thoughts of self-harm or substance abuse. Through crisis intervention techniques, therapeutic counselling, and collaborative treatment planning, we aim to provide immediate support and facilitate long-term recovery for those in crisis.
My areas of specialization cover a wide range of fields that I’ve passionately delved into over the past three decades. Here’s a glimpse into my expertise:
Psychotherapy: This is my core specialization. I’ve dedicated myself to understanding and addressing various mental health issues, ranging from depression, anxiety, obsessions, overthinking, suicidal ideations, gender dysphoria to more complex disorders like schizophrenia and various personality disorders.
Career Counseling: As a certified Career Strategist, I’ve been deeply involved in helping individuals navigate their career paths. Whether it’s guiding teenagers in choosing the right stream or assisting professionals in making career transitions, I’m here to provide insightful guidance.
Life Skills Training: Empowering individuals with essential life skills is another aspect of my specialization. From communication and problem-solving to stress management and decision-making, I equip people with the tools they need to thrive in life.
YouthEmpowerment: Having worked extensively with young people, I specialize in empowering the youth to realize their full potential. This includes addressing issues like self-esteem, peer pressure, academic stress, and career aspirations.
Drug De-addiction:I’ve dedicated significant time and effort to helping individuals overcome substance abuse and addiction. Through counselling, support, and rehabilitation programs, I aim to guide them towards a healthier and more fulfilling.
MentalHealthAwareness: Promoting mental health awareness is at the heart of my work. I specialize in conducting workshops, seminars, webinars and awareness campaigns to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage seeking help when My YouTube channel & other social media handles are always a source of self help techniques.
Psychological Training&Internship(Webinars/Workshops): I have created end number of programs in all areas of psychological training equipped with practical case studies and meaningful resources, worksheets & workbooks. These online & offline training programs help psychology aspirants, students, professionals and even coaches to understand better & excel in their proficiencies.
Parenting Skills Training: As an established and experienced Parenting Coach, I also cater all need of parents in my “ParvarishKiPathshala”.We focus on Connection before Correction in Effective Parenting and coach them related to behavioural management, conflict management, handling tantrums and ADHD etc. These are just a few areas where I’ve honed my expertise over the years. Each specialization reflects my commitment to making a positive impact on individuals’ lives and society.
Overall, our clinic is dedicated to promoting holistic mental health and well-being for individuals, couples, and families. Through evidence-based interventions, personalized counselling, and compassionate support, we strive to empower our clients to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Till today, I have a child in me and I get fascinated with the tiniest part of nature. A warm smile can charge me, a hug from a loved one can bring me back from death bed and small babies and pets can shift my moods with a click.
My only self-protection tool is Resilience & I coach people for that at priority.”
Though Resilience is referred to the ability to adapt, recover, and bounce back from adversity, challenges, or stressful situations. I quote it a bit differently as I recommend that you “bounceforward” through challenges to land even better than where you were before.
As setbacks, obstacles, or significant life changes are so evident with changed lifestyles & other challenging scenarios, so it is the capacity required to withstand and navigate through them all while maintaining emotional well-being and psychological strength.
Resilient people are flexible and adaptable in the face of change. They can adjust their thinking, behaviours, and plans to meet new circumstances and challenges. I face problems but I approach them with a solution-oriented mindset and actively seek strategies to overcome obstacles or find alternative paths.
Personally & professionally, what motivates me is the profound impact I can make on someone’s life. Every day, I have the opportunity to guide individuals through their darkest moments and witness their transformation into empowered beings. The trust, resilience and courage displayed by my clients inspire me to continue my work with unwavering dedication.”
When people idealize you for your personality traits and deeds in all roles and responsibilities, nothing can surpass that bliss.
Moreover, the joy of witnessing their growth and seeing them overcome their obstacles fills my heart with immense satisfaction. Life itself is my motivation; the beauty of human connection, the resilience of the human spirit, and the endless possibilities for growth and self-discovery fuel my passion for what I do.
I have always experienced the inner bliss of maintaining a hopeful and optimistic outlook, even during challenging times. I invest my best to focus on opportunities for growth and learning, rather than dwelling on negative aspects of any adversity & so setbacks have always groomed me & this attribute gifted me better prospects too.
Another aspect is ability to regulate emotions effectively. So I do & teach too to identify and understand emotions, express them in a healthy manner, and manage stress without becoming overwhelmed.”
And frequent rejuvenating breaks, enjoying smaller pleasures with my partner, family, team and a very warm, loving social life is key to all the maintenance.
So, what you DO & what you BECOMEafter that adverse situation, all that matters. My resilience involves developing coping mechanisms, maintaining a positive mindset, and utilizing available resources to effectively manage and overcome difficulties. Me as a resilient individual is able to persevere, learn from my experiences, and grow stronger as a result. It is a valuable trait that contributes to personal well-being, mental health, and success in various areas of life.
Let me remind you here that it is an ongoing journey that requires dedication and self-reflection, but the benefits of building resilience extend far beyond combating burnout—they contribute to personal growth, fulfilment, and a more balanced and fulfilling life. Regularly reflect on your workload, responsibilities, and coping strategies. Identify any areas of imbalance or sources of stress and brainstorm potential solutions or adjustments to improve your work-life balance.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
Sadly, it has become more popular today to be popular than to be ethical, brave, innocent, genuinely responsible or good. However, it was not with us when we initiated this project. And that had been the biggest challenge since day one.
But I strongly advocate this quote: “Don’tLimityourChallenges,ChallengeyourLimits..”
People around me have never seen me dull, hopeless or drained. As I learnt that people always love to see Happy people. When I explored the target area, my mission transformed from being a successful businesswoman to being a true educationist who could ignite the desire to learn & progressing into fresh young minds who were sleeping in narrow shells. So that way, I got transferred into a social entrepreneur & experienced how Winning feelswhen everyonearound you wasdyingtoseeyouLOSE…Somylessonwas–Ifit’sME,itshouldbeBESTofME.
I am not a business person and as a coach/ life skills trainer/Psychologist or career expert, I feel on cloud 9 when my services make my trainees/clients lives better and they acknowledge my contributions. So my third derived aspect from my life journey is: Takersdon’tinspiretheworld,Giversdo!!
So is true & I am proud to have been instrumental in such inspiration. The most fulfilling aspect of my work is witnessing the transformative journey of my students, training participants as well clients as they navigate through their challenges and emerge stronger, happier, and more resilient individuals. There’s immense joy in seeing them gain insights, develop coping strategies, and achieve their personal and professional goals.
Gaining their trust and building rapport with my clients and being a supportive presence in their lives brings me immense satisfaction. My life is rich with an abundance of such testimonies and their blessings.
On the other hand, the most challenging aspect of my work is witnessing the deep emotional pain and struggles that many individuals face. It can be emotionally taxing to hold space for their pain while maintaining a sense of professional detachment.
Additionally, navigating complex ethical dilemmas and ensuring that I provide the best possible care within the boundaries of my role can also be challenging. However, these challenges are an inherent part of the therapeutic process, and I’m committed to addressing them with empathy, integrity, and professionalism.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
PASSION – What is most beautiful and sacred to you? What would you feel incomplete without? When you have identified that which brings you complete joy, your own unquenchable desire to achieve that goal will become your passion — the inner drive that turns your dreams into a shining reality.
VISION – To attain your goal, you must first see it in your mind’s eye. Never underestimate your ability to transcend your imagination’s outermost limits and bring your vision to fruition. Throughout history, great accomplishments have begun with the vision of a single individual. Dream it and Achieve it!
PREPARATION – Learn >> UnLearn >> ReLearn
Knowing where you can go starts with knowing where you are, and where you’ve been. Success isn’t a matter of luck — it requires practice, study and strategy. Learn all you can about your passion. Master every last detail, and consider all the nuances and possibilities. Then don’t hold back. I am committed to Attain Knowledge, Skills – Contribute & Gain Expertise till the last breath of my life.
COURAGE – I have learnt from my personal battles that the courage which overcomes all fear is born of a healthy yet realistic self-regard that exceeds your own expectations. All the achievers looked within themselves and found there the mental and moral strength to pursue their dreams and prevail despite hardship, pain and mortal danger. What you seek & then dare to strive for… will definitely be yours!!
PERSEVERANCE– No great achievement comes without obstacles: I have faced physical limitations, the vagaries of nature, or resistance from the outside world. Although our dreams sometimes met with failure, I never abandoned my dreams, but doggedly persevered until they succeeded against the odds. And that’s how people around the globe look upon me for assistance when they feel like quitting, even their lives.
INTEGRITY – In today’s era of instant pleasure, most of people around are looking for quick success shots. But trust me, the road that leads to real success has no shortcuts and no room for charlatans. True achievers I believe, know that it’s more important to do the right thing rather than the popular thing, and I have built my accomplishments on personal systems of uncompromising standards and unwavering values by Nurturing Inspiring Coaching and Empowering lives through Excellence since 1991.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Dear young brigade, I apologise personally on behalf of adults of my generation for making this planet a chaos for you. I own this responsibility to help you navigate through these rough waves… whatever you’re going through. But believe me dear bacha log…. God never creates Junk. Each individual has been born with a confident, fearless & precious soul, later nurtured and conditioned through family values, peer influence, parental scripts and educational environment.
So, choose wisely when you’re grown up enough to make your own choices as choices lead to Consequences. Make Informed Choices: Gather information and consider the potential consequences before making important decisions. This can help you make choices that are in line with your values and long-term goals.
“Embrace the journey of life with courage, curiosity, and resilience.” Each day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and overcome challenges. Believe in yourself and your abilities, for you possess within you the power to create the life you desire. Remember that setbacks are not failures but opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Keep moving forward with determination and passion, knowing that every step you take brings you closer to your dreams. Communicate openly, practice forgiveness & self-compassion being in the present moment.
You are capable, you are worthy, and you are enough. So, dare to dream big, work hard, and never lose sight of the amazing potential that lies within you. And one appeal to contribute your better self to less privileged, destitute & shattered souls in all your capacities you can. Trust me, karma is a cycle.
Your journey is yours to write, so make it a story worth telling. Believe in the beauty of your dreams and let your light shine bright!” Sending you more light, power, support & love,
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
My journey as a psychologist has been incredibly fulfilling, spanning over several decades of dedication to the mental well-being of adolescents and adults alike. Initially, my foray into psychology was driven by a deep-seated passion for empowering individuals to overcome life’s challenges and embrace their full potential.
While establishing IT education centres in underserved communities, I witnessed the transformative power of education and this ignited my interest in understanding the human mind and behaviour more deeply. As the founder of “The Mind Mentorz,” I’ve had the privilege of providing compassionate and comprehensive mental health support to individuals from diverse backgrounds locally, nationally and globally.
From offering individual counselling sessions to conducting workshops on various aspects of psychology and mental health, every aspect of my work has been driven by a commitment to holistic well-being. Throughout my career, I’ve also been deeply involved in community outreach social initiatives like serving an Old age Home, juvenile home, School for Specially Abled Children & a school for slum children.
Also collaborating with schools, NGOs, and government agencies to raise awareness about mental health issues and provide accessible support services. Whether it’s addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness or advocating for inclusive policies, I’ve always strived to make a meaningful impact at both local and global levels. I have authored and published two self-help motivational books in Hindi and the third one is on the cards. This will address mental health in very simple and creative ways.
In addition to my clinical practice, I’ve been actively involved in research and education, contributing to the advancement of psychological knowledge, and training the next generation of mental health professionals. My work has been recognized with prestigious awards and accolades, but the true reward lies in knowing that I’ve made a positive difference in the lives of countless individuals and families.
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