In a world that constantly demands more of us—more productivity, more resilience, more perfection—it’s easy to lose sight of our own mental and emotional well-being. But for those who feel lost in the noise, there are compassionate professionals dedicated to helping us rediscover our strength. One such individual is Sohini Rohra, a counseling psychologist and mental health advocate whose deeply personal journey from struggle to self-empowerment has inspired countless others to embark on their own paths to healing. Through her integrative approach, [Name] blends evidence-based techniques with spiritual insight, offering a holistic and transformative experience to those in need. In an exclusive conversation, she says..
What inspired you to pursue a career in counseling psychology and mental health advocacy?
Growing up in a multicultural family, I had the privilege of learning about diversity from an early age. However, my childhood was also marked by challenges, I had a severe stammer that made it almost impossible to communicate with others and led to relentless bullying. I was bullied and lacked even a single friend to turn to. I felt trapped and didn’t believe that I would ever be able to break free. I struggled through loneliness and severe anxiety. But, with the help of some incredible people, I was able to push through and find a way forward. That experience inspired me to study psychology and become an advocate for mental health. Now, my goal is to help others who are struggling and show them that with the right support and mindset, anything is possible. Because I know firsthand how it feels to be trapped by fear and doubt – and how it feels to break free from those chains.
How has your personal or professional background influenced your approach to mental health?
I am devoted to guiding individuals through their mental and emotional challenges. With over 5 years of experience, I employ a blend of evidence-based techniques and integrative approaches to facilitate meaningful transformations and help individuals achieve self- actualization. I embrace a holistic philosophy that harmonises psychological principles with spiritual insights. Integration of personal life lessons and self-work with extensive theoretical knowledge has helped me bring together a very personalised approach that is unique to each individual to foster their healing and growth.
What are the most common mental health challenges you encounter in your practice? How have you adapted your approach to different mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma)?
As a psychologist, I have observed that loneliness and anxiety are the most prevalent mental health problems in our society today. With the ever-increasing demands of our work and personal lives, it can feel impossible to find time to prioritize our own well-being. And, even when we recognize the need to address these issues, we may not know where to turn for help or feel that others don’t understand our struggles.
When I work with clients, I remain highly attuned to their unique needs, background, and perspectives. Each person who comes to me has their own set of thoughts, beliefs, and ways of reacting to the world around them, all conditioned by their experiences and upbringing. This means taking an individualized, personalized approach to their care and crafting a custom treatment plan that reflects their specific needs.
At times, that may involve trial and error – but it’s always a collaborative process. I believe that in approaching mental health challenges together, with a warm and approachable mindset, we can create a space where healing and growth can take place. And that’s what I strive for in every session.
As a mental health advocate, what key messages or initiatives do you focus on?
Nurturing our relationship with ourselves is vital for a healthy mind. It forms the foundation of our self-worth, which can then affect how we view and interact with others around us. As a mental health professional, I am passionate about helping my clients build positive relationships with themselves and the world around them.During therapy, I take the time to understand each individual’s unique experiences, challenges, and needs. I focus on addressing issues such as stress, boundary setting, burnout, procrastination, productivity, assertive communication, relationships, self-esteem, loneliness, anxiety, and grief, among others.Through therapy, my top priority is to work towards self-awareness and develop effective coping strategies. I believe that therapy works best when it’s collaborative, so we work closely to understand the unique experiences and needs. Together, we explore new ways to build stronger relationships with the inner self and others, working towards creating a happier, more fulfilling life.
How do you personally take care of your own mental health as a professional in this demanding field?
As a psychologist, it’s crucial that I approach my clients with empathy and always prioritize their needs over my own urge to “rescue” them. I firmly believe that true strength and healing come from within and cannot be handed over externally.
In order to maintain my objectivity and empathy towards my clients, I need to manage my own triggers and maintain my own healing process. This requires me to be disciplined about my self-care practices, such as breathwork, meditation, exercise and nutrition. I also engage in hobbies like reading and sketching. My relationships with my small but solid circle girlfriends keeps me nurtured and emotionally fulfilled.
Healing is an ongoing process that requires effort and attention and my own therapist serves as a sounding board and provides me with additional support and perspective. By prioritizing my own self-care, I am in a better position to help my clients on their own healing journeys.
What do you believe are the biggest misconceptions about mental health and therapy?
One of the biggest misconceptions about mental health and therapy is that only the weak seek help and therapy. And that therapy is for those with serious mental illnesses, rather than a tool for enhancing overall wellbeing and managing life’s everyday challenges and stressors.
Another misconception is that therapy is that that therapy provides immediate relief. In reality, therapy is a gradual and ongoing process that requires collaborative effort and patience. Progress may not always be linear or immediate, but it’s important to trust the process and commit to the work involved. While, some also expect the therapists to be mind readers.
There is also a stigma attached to mental health and therapy, people may fear being judged or labeled as “crazy” or “weak” if they seek therapy or mental health support. However, therapy is a confidential and judgment-free space where clients can work through their issues without fear of being stigmatized.
Finally, some people believe that therapy is a one-size-fits-all solution and is not effective for everyone. However, therapy can be tailored to fit an individual’s unique needs and experiences. It’s important to find a therapist who is a good fit and to be open and honest about your goals and concerns throughout the process.
Many people struggle with stress and burnout. What advice do you offer your clients when it comes to managing daily mental health challenges?
Burnout is an exhausting state of emotional, mental, and physical fatigue. It is caused by prolonged stress, overwork, and feeling overwhelmed. Burnout can lead to serious consequences such as poor physical health, mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. It may effect our interpersonal relationships and even productivity. A burnout that be prevented by maintaining good everyday mental health. And that involves a comprehensive and consistent approach that nurtures the body, mind, and soul. This can involve a range of different activities, including breathwork, meditation, journaling, creative expression, proper nutrition, and regular exercise. By engaging in these practices on a daily basis, we cultivate beautiful anchors that help sustain us through tough times and enable us to truly enjoy the good times.
At the core of this approach is self-awareness. Developing a strong sense of self-awareness can help us become more attuned to our own needs, emotions, and state of being. This heightened sensitivity allows us to identify when we are starting to spiral downwards before we reach a point of serious mental ill-health. When we are aware of our own mental state, we can take proactive steps to address any problems before they become overwhelming. Overall, these daily practices, coupled with an ongoing commitment to self-awareness, can help reduce stress and promote overall well-being therefore, preventing burnout and improving the overall quality of life.
What books, podcasts, or resources do you recommend for those interested in learning more about mental health and well-being?
Women who love too much by Robin Norwood, this book changed a large part of my life and helped me rediscover my lost power.
The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse; by Charlie Mackesy. These 4 wise philosophers address relationships, hopes, fears, courage and kindness which such profound childlike simplicity that it goes straight to your heart.
Attached; by Dr. Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller. It helped me understand my own attachment style and gentle move from anxious to secure.
I also recommend that it is very important to follow a meditation practice that is anchored by a teacher or a spiritual master.
Having a therapist is the best resource to guide you in a direction that is holistic and introduce you to personalized resources that is unique to ones healing needs and process.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your work as a counselling psychologist and advocate?
The most fulfilling part of my job as a psychologist is seeing the positive impact that my work has on my clients’ lives. Seeing my clients smile, hear their laughter, and witness their progress towards self-acceptance, self-awareness, and happiness is truly rewarding and is a testament to the heart and soul that I put into each one of their healing journeys.
I am passionate about my clients’ wellbeing and work closely with them to facilitate their healing process. Even when my clients share feedback about what is not working for them, it is a reflection of their growing strength and courage, and through our collaborative efforts, we are able to find new pathways to explore together. The success that we experience as a team is holistic and fulfilling, and to me, it’s the greatest trophy I could ever receive.
What inspired you to author the book “Cancelled to Crowned”?
My book is a heartfelt expression of my life’s journey, one that I hope will inspire others to embark on their own. Through my raw and vulnerable storytelling, I want to offer a compassionate and relatable voice for those who may feel alone in their struggles. My intention is to remind readers that even amidst our darkest moments, we are never as powerless as we may think. By sharing my personal experiences with loss, heartbreak, failures, self-doubt and healing, I aim to shed light on the power of resilience and the transformative impact of self-care.
Through every chapter of my book, I explore the depths of human emotion and offer practical coping tools that readers can use to navigate their own paths towards self-discovery. Every thought-provoking question and reflective exercise is crafted with care and intention, to encourage readers to embrace their own strength, let go of their fears and doubts, and become the very best version of themselves.
But most importantly, I want my readers to feel seen and heard. I want them to know that no matter how alone they may feel, they are never truly without hope. Because at the end of the day, my book is not simply about my life – it is about the universality of the human experience, and the undeniable truth that our struggles can become a source of strength and growth, if we will only allow ourselves the space to heal.