A newly opened space offering combo of Ayurvedic therapies, psychological counselling and healthy ‘satvik’ food – all under the same roof, is the ‘talk of the town’ in Panaji
“It was my first case. The client was a 75-year-old widow having an early onset of dementia with failing long term memory but short term memory was still intact. With no motivation to do anything and only eating and sleeping being the only activities, my weekly visits made an impact to bring the person out from that state, until she died of cancer relapse. As a therapist there is nothing more rewarding than seeing clients healing,” shares Mita Arora, a counselling psychologist with work experience in media communication, and the director of Spandhan Bharat where she has introduced an innovative concept of offering holistic healing.
A postgraduate in Psychology (counselling) from IGNOU, Mita graduated from Delhi University with English, and is also an executive MBA from Belgium University. At Spandhan Bharati Mita and her team offers a combination of healthy food, Ayurvedic therapies and mental health counselling – all under a single roof at Miramar.
“This venture came when I was striving for a change in my life. Through this unique concept I wish to heal many and make them feel better in all aspects,” smiles Mita who was herself in search of Ayurvedic massage therapies for her stiff shoulders and lower back ache that was recurring from time-to-time. As she didn’t see a place in Goa that can offer many things at a time, she discussed the concept with friends and with their encouragement, started it herself.
Mita’s career began as a journalist in ANI in 2002. She joined Times Now channel in 2007 and worked in the production department for two years. “I have been doing freelance marketing for various media houses in India for past 12 years and have also been a life coach and personality development mentor for the past 15 years,” shares Mita who chose to be a psychologist and a relationship counsellor after the Covid pandemic.
“The pandemic made me realise I cannot stay at the sidelines and need to acquire a professional approach to be able to help people with their emotional and mental well being. So I enrolled myself for MA Psychology via IGNOU, completed the degree in two years and had a vigorous training done for six months to be an effective and efficient counsellor under psychiatrist Dr Ravindra Agrawal’s Antarman, a centre for psychological wellbeing in Panaji and here I am,” she exclaims.
Mita’s clients include those who have issues pertaining to behaviour and emotion regulations such as anger management, time management, stress, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, apart from relationship issues such as couples, family, siblings, friends and co-workers. The age group varies between 17-70 plus. “Demographic Indian origins settled or living in various parts of India as well as abroad like Canada, Dubai, France and Germany are also among my clients,” she briefs.
Youth are in need of psychological mentors as the pressure of performance is far more, realised Mita. “Social media exposure is making everyone strive and crave for attention, the lack of which makes them stressful. The constant use of online gadgets makes one unable to indulge in normal day-to-day conversations, resulting in social anxiety. Though most are aware about the importance of mental health, the stigma surrounding it also exists,” she points out.
Counselling process takes time; needs patience. “We adopt scientific approach to understand and evaluate human behaviour. We help clients to rectify their problems and embrace different approach to deal with them. A professional therapist can help well if issues are small. The bigger the issues are, the longer it takes to resolve. Timely intervention can yield desired results,” underlines Mita.
Mita says, “The therapies are custom made. Most clients can yield benefits in three-months-time, for some it may take longer. All depends upon the mental and emotional health of the client and how soon they have sought help and how much willing they are to be consistent in their own efforts to be better.”
As a mental health practitioner Mita always had the feeling of starting something of her own that was based on overall wellness. “The clients that I saw not only were suggested to work on certain issues but were also suggested some life style changes that can make them cope with their ailments better. Physical exercise and a good balanced diet goes a long way to ensure and help ones mental and emotional well-being too. Our food has no onion, garlic or potatoes. Cooked in pure desi ghee, it is freshly made to ensure good gut health and diet,” she mentions.
“Holistic health can be achieved with mindfulness. Being aware of our physical and mental requirements, and devising a strategy to balance both, to lead a fulfilled life, and being mindful and observant of our own needs is the key to happiness,” she asserts. Being a good listener and less judgemental, she knows exactly what her clients need and offers it at Spandhan Bharat – be it Satvik food, Ayurvedic therapies like Abhyanga, Marma, Panchakarma, Basti or psychological counselling.
