08/02/2021
Hi friends , Mrs.Vani Pradeep , motivational writer and orater, and founder of Bold inspiring stories , has shared my life story of what I am today. I am very thankful to Vani Pradeep for choosing me to share my life story.
Dr. Sumathi is a well-versed psychologist and a ‘Brain Work Recursive Therapy’ (BWRT) therapist who hails from Chennai. She has established her clinical practice through her center – Neha Foundation. With a vision to promote the well-being of women and children, she founded NGO Yuvathi. She is one of the Founder Members of the Indian Association for Professional Supervision (IAPS). ‘Mind Café’ is a center that was initiated by Dr. Sumathi to bridge the gap between a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist. She specializes in treating the client through lesser number of sessions. Dr. Sumathi is a strong believer, preacher of psychology and she believes in creating happiness classrooms to all school children of TN.
1. How did you get started with this business/ profession?
During her school days, Dr. Sumathi’s always wished to be a professional doctor. The lack of confidence in her and as she scored high only in Chemistry, she decided to complete B.Sc. Chemistry following which she got married. After 7 years of her married life, she faced the challenge of losing her loving brother due to cancer. She had to fight thoughts of loss within herself and this was at a time in the 1990s where no professional psychologists were available for consultation. As she had idealized her brother as her father, she went into depression and even attempted su***de. Dr. Sumathi's husband was very supportive and understanding during the times of hard-thoughts. She went into reading the book ‘The Power of Mind’ which was her life turning book. Her thought process towards the mind completely changed and she turned to be more optimistic! She always wished people around her to be happy and wanted to help them which gave her immense happiness. So, Dr. Sumathi started working towards her passion.
She persuaded her M.Sc. Psychology and later did her Ph.D, which, she completed in year 2012. Dr. Sumathi is also a pioneer Psycho Therapist in BWRT (‘Brain Work Recursive Therapy’). In addition to all this, she did a two months psychology course in Switzerland. This gave her all the more confidence!
2. What is your business like and the markets where the business operates?
‘Mind Café’ is a Social Enterprise of NGO Yuvathi, is a center that was initiated to bridge the gap between the psychotherapist and the psychiatrist. Through her organization, Dr. Sumathi and her team help prevent mental illness. She creates regular events and awareness campaigns through her NGO. Through a mindfulness concept, she coaches on mental health of children and women. She says: “Living in the present moment is reality. Awareness will never make you go wrong. Overwhelming emotions need to be streamlined in order to lead a peaceful life.” Mind Café is easily accessible, which is an affordable business model, started at a very minimal cost and is client friendly.
3. Which is your Unique Selling Point (USP)?
Our USP is: ‘Easy Accessibility for All.’ The organization works on: ‘Increasing positive feelings and building-up on that’. Referrals and assessments at Mind Café are done as a service and authentic guidance follows after assessment.
4. Tell us some of the challenges you had to cross over to get where you are today…
Some of the challenges faced during the initial years:
Initially there were challenges in establishing ‘Mind Café’ due to space constraint. “During the early stages, I created cubicles in my training hall and used it for counseling those who visited ‘Mind Café’” - says Dr. Sumthi.
In 2019, the challenge was reaching out to people to offer the service. The reason being stigma associated in approaching for Counseling and a short-fall of marketing strategies.
Dr. Sumathi had to train her team through a lot of practical learning courses. She usually does a practical application on self before offering the techniques to her clients. Her personal growth paved way to her professional growth.
She says: “I am happy as I develop through my challenges. I convert challenges into opportunities.”
5. Your motivational one liner for Up-coming practitioners like you…
“Live in the present moment through your awareness. With this awareness in the present moment, you will never venture to do wrong!”
