As autumn leaves fall and trees prepare for winter, shedding the old to make way for new growth, we must let go of past burdens to embrace future possibilities. This natural cycle of shedding and renewal mirrors our own journeys of moving on and finding strength in the face of change.
Meet Sreelakshmi (name changed), a 28-year-old Chartered Accountant from Pune who works in the IT industry. Her family consists of her brother, mother, and sister. Sadly, her father passed away when she was in 11th grade, a loss that deeply affected her.
Growing up, Sreelakshmi found solace in dancing, reading, travelling to new places, and exploring new cuisines. She describes herself as an ambivert who enjoys solitude and social interactions. This balance has helped her try new things and continuously learn.
“I’ve always been someone who enjoys a bit of everything. Whether dancing or exploring new food places, these activities help me stay grounded and happy.”
Sreelakshmi first heard about YourDOST from her friend. She was able to utilise YourDOST services through the ALYVE health app as a nominee/dependent. It offers various self-help sessions like yoga, meditation, and therapy. The app connected her to YourDOST, an organisation partnered as their official mental health partner. It was through this program that she met her counsellor, Ms Priyanka.
“She was a patient listener and related to my concerns. It was perfect for me to not feel judged because, being honest, I have gone through various counsellors before but never had such a good experience as with her.”
The main reason Sreelakshmi sought therapy was her ongoing divorce. The emotional turmoil was overwhelming, filled with denial and confusion.
“It’s not just a relationship ending; it’s more than that. Accepting it was tough for me. I think everyone in some way goes through childhood trauma, especially in the Indian culture. Your current relationships are often linked to your childhood.”
This painful experience brought back unresolved issues from her childhood. Sreelakshmi realised she had to work on her flaws, self-doubt, and past relationships to move forward.
“These unresolved issues influenced all my relationships in the past. I had to accept my flaws and learn to let go, which was incredibly difficult.”
Ms Priyanka provided Sreelakshmi with various activities and techniques to help her cope. These included mindfulness practices, a structured routine, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
“She understood my personality and behavioural types and then suggested techniques for mindfulness, anger management, and emotion regulation. She was there to listen whenever I needed to vent.”
These techniques helped Sreelakshmi handle stress and negative thinking. Her therapist suggested ways to stop jumping to conclusions or being self-critical, and these cognitive therapies were beneficial to her.
Looking back, Sreelakshmi sees significant positive changes in herself.
“When I started, I was agitated and in a bad phase. There was no acceptance at all. Today, I am in a better position. I’ve accepted what has happened in my life.”
She also noticed improvements in her self-confidence as she was very self-critical and did a lot of self-blaming. Today, she’s developed a sense of self-confidence that helps her move forward.
“I’m trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. Even if I take two steps backwards, I know I’m improving.”
Sreelakshmi is grateful to have found such a skilled counsellor in Ms. Priyanka.
“She is really good at understanding my problems and makes me feel heard. Her suggestions give me confidence that I can overcome these challenges. I felt like there was a dead end before, but now I see light.”
Sreelakshmi rates herself 3.5 out of 5 for feeling better. For her, improvement means working on herself every day, even if she falls down.
We at YourDOST are confident that Sreelakshmi is on the path to a brighter future, and we wish her all the best in her endeavours!
Sreelakshmi’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Whatever happens, do not leave your own self. Trust yourself no matter what.”
2.“Time heals. Give it time and believe that good things are coming.”
3.“Hope is crucial. It helps you stay positive and resilient.”
Are you someone who has gone through a difficult phase and emerged stronger and better, with some professional help? Share your story with us to encourage thousands of others who might be struggling. Click here to submit your story.
