The word philanthropy evokes noble feelings for most of us. Urmi Chhapia is one of those people who have made it a way of life. A holder of two Masters Degree, she has been counselling people on family relationship, marriage and spiritual matters for a long time now.
Interestingly, Urmi has also been training specially able children through various psychotherapeutic methods including behaviour therapy, sand tray, play and family therapy to name a few.
Here’s a recent conversation with the psychologist on her journey so far:
How important do you find your role to be in today’s time when there’s often a conflict between career goals & personal life?
The work life balance has always been an issue. I have seen families who have only one parent interacting with children as the other comes home late, and leaves before and after kids wake up or go to bed respectively. There are many families where children are taken care of by caretakers only as parents are busy. In the time of millennials, a psychologist’s job is quite crucial. I say this because our basic units that make us social are disintegrating. It’s the psychologist’s role to help individuals find that balance. It may not be 50-50 but it could be 60-40. A psychologist helps individuals today to see possibilities for having that balance or if a balance is not possible then to make peace with choosing one over the other.
There’re so many career driven individuals who are pressured by society to make personal commitments over professional. The stress and the overwhelming emotions are taken care of by an empathetic and empowering ear which is a psychologist. Some may feel guilty over choosing one over the other.. again, a psychologist is here to help process those feelings. To concludeI would say that a psychologist is a tool that helps an individual slow down, breathe and go ahead.
What’s the most important thing about psychology in your opinion?
Psychology is a science that studies behaviors, thoughts and emotions. The basic human interaction patterns with self and others too. All of this is the most important thing about psychology. It is the crux of this science. Understanding the basics of a living being to unravel why people do what they do is what I feel is most important.
The ‘unique power’ of psychology?
Psychology has this magnetic quality. A quality that draws people toward it. It’s a science that studies minds. And no science has the ability to flex to diversity like this one. Each new mind born is another one yet to be explored. Psychology has that power and the power to explain what science cannot. It’s so much learning while you help people change.
What inspired you to take up psychology?
There was a personal family tragedy that got me thinking about taking psychology. The first family divorce got me thinking about relationships and emotions. I heard about psychology in my school textbooks so I put 2 and 2 together and decided at 13 that I will be a psychologist that heals minds and hearts.
The Best part of your job?
The best part of my job (smiles..) is everything. The people I meet, the stories I hear, to the sessions I have and see smiles on the faces of parents or clients when they see observable changes in them or their children or their relationships. I love the blessings that I get and the lives I get to touch. It’s so satisfying when people appreciate your work.