At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this, we invited Prachi Agarwal for an exclusive interview with us. She is an Entrepreneur, Counselling Psychologist and the Founder of The MindLoom. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, background and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Prachi:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My passion for Psychology started with my fascination for understanding the human mind and behaviour and a desire to make a positive impact in people’s lives. This interest led me to pursue a career in Psychology, where I build a solid foundation in the theoretical frameworks and principles of the field.
During my academic journey, I actively sought out opportunities for hands-on experience through internships and volunteer work. This allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, work with diverse populations and identify my interest areas.
After completing my education, I started my career as a psychologist, working in various clinical settings, full of continuous learning, growth, honing my skills and understanding the challenges in our field. This grew my ambition to create a more accessible and inclusive space for mental health care, ‘The MindLoom’. With a belief that every individual possesses the strength and resilience to thrive, we provide personalized services tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
Founding ‘The MindLoom’ was a bold step forward, requiring not only counselling expertise but also entrepreneurial vision and planning. However, it has been equally rewarding, reminding me each day why I do what I do to make mental well-being a priority for all. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us as we continue to make a positive impact on people’s lives, #OneStepAtATime.
‘The MindLoom’ 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?
‘The MindLoom’ is not just a name, it’s a reflection of our approach to mental health care. Just like a loom weaves together threads to create something beautiful, we are weaving together threads of empathy, expertise and empowerment, to create a personalized and holistic experience for each individual.
At ‘The MindLoom’, we don’t just focus on treating the symptoms, we address the root cause of the problem and work towards holistic healing and growth. We understand that mental health is influenced by a wide range of factors from culture, identity to life experiences. And just like a loom intricately intertwines threads to create an interconnected fabric, we help our clients embrace these complexities as they explore their mental health journey in a collaborative environment.
Through “The MindLoom’, we aim to overcome the barriers to mental health care, creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported on their journey.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Just like any other profession, coming across challenges is an inevitable part of my journey too. What keeps me going everyday to strive to do my best is prioritizing self-care. I have found that maintaining a routine, taking regular breaks, carving out ‘me-time’ and staying connected with my friends and family is the perfect balance for me.
I like to view every setback as an opportunity for learning and growth, pushing me to persevere and find creative solutions, both personally and professionally. Not to forget the support from my clients, colleagues, and loved ones, serve as a constant source of motivation and a reminder of the meaningful impact my work can have.
Ultimately, my belief in the mission of ‘The MindLoom’ drives my resilience during tough times. I envision a world where mental well-being is prioritized, stigma-free and accessible to all. This vision fuels my determination to overcome challenges and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
As a psychologist navigating my own journey while guiding others through theirs, I’ve come to believe that success is rotted in the following principles:
> Clarity of goals
> Resilience and Adaptability
> Effective Communication and Collaboration
> Curiosity and Openness to experience
> Self-belief and Self-care
> Empathy and Compassion
> Integrity and Ethics
> Readiness to continual learning and growth
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Be it a career in Psychology or in any other field, the most important thing is to explore your interests, values, strengths and weaknesses. Knowing yourself allows you to engage in goal-directive behaviour, which are clear and defined. Doing internships in various fields allow you to experience work life and build a network and gain mentorship, providing clarity and helps you make an informed choice.
Embrace new experiences and do not be afraid to make mistakes, they allow us to learn and grow. Knowing your theoretical knowledge and backing it up with practical experiences will take you a long way. And, most importantly, take care of yourself, physically, emotionally and mentally, because you are going to need your 100% to give your 100%.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
My journey as a psychologist and a founder has been everything from a jittery start to rewarding moments. From the nervous beginnings of devising individualized plans for each client, by understanding their unique needs and differences, to seeing them progress through each session, invariably gives my work its worth.
There have been days when I felt stuck, doubting myself, but it is only through the journey that I recognized the meaningful impact I could have on others’ lives and there’s nothing more fulfilling than that. Feedback from my clients and colleagues has been my biggest cheerleader and critic.
Additionally, the entrepreneurial aspect of being a founder adds an extra layer of excitement, as I navigate the complexities of running a business, pursuing my passion for psychology, presenting endless opportunities for growth, and innovation, and making a lasting impact in both realms.
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.
