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Trauma & Grief Therapy: Your Path to Understanding and Healing If you’re seeking therapy, it’s because you’re ready to take a brave step toward understanding and healing your pain. The word Trauma originates from the Greek term meaning “Wound,” and Grief represents the deep sorrow you may feel from losing someone, a relationship, or experiencing a significant life change. Both are profound, and your journey to heal them is unique. Let’s explore these concepts and how therapy can support you. What is Trauma? Trauma can feel overwhelming and manifests in different forms. It’s often categorized into three types: What is Grief? Grief is your emotional response to a significant loss—whether it’s a loved one, a relationship, or a permanent setback. When left unaddressed, grief can weigh heavily on you, leading to emotional suffering and persistent feelings of guilt or regret. Why Should You Consider Therapy for Trauma and Grief? Unresolved trauma and grief can create emotional barriers, making it hard to move forward: Therapy offers a space to process these feelings safely and gradually rebuild your emotional strength. How Therapy Can Help You Final Thoughts Trauma and grief may feel insurmountable at times, but you don’t have to face them alone. With the right support and strategies, you can heal and rediscover balance in your life. Therapy is here to guide you—a compassionate partner on your journey toward resilience and fulfillment.

The Importance of Marriage and Marital Counseling “Marriage counseling” is a term that’s frequently searched online. However, when it comes to seeking it in real life, many still face stigma, reluctance, and inhibition—even when their marriage is on the verge of falling apart. In my experience assisting individuals and couples with relationship issues, I’ve often observed that initial sessions are focused on understanding the partners’ intentions—whether they wish to save the marriage or part ways. Once clarity is established, tailored action plans can be formulated to address the specific situation. Common Causes of Marital Conflict Couples may have various reasons for discord, but many issues can be traced back to a pattern I call ICA: In such times, it’s common to turn to friends, relatives, or colleagues to vent frustrations and seek advice. While well-intentioned, this advice often carries biases and personal prejudices, which may not serve the best interests of the relationship. Why Seek Marriage Counseling Early? Just as we don’t let physical discomfort fester before consulting a doctor, we shouldn’t wait for subtle signs of marital distress to escalate into something more serious. Timely intervention through marriage counseling can prevent small issues from snowballing into major crises. Consider these shifts: The Complexity of Relationships Relationships are far more intricate than they seem. They involve not just the emotions of two individuals but also their past experiences, upbringing, perceptions, and personal baggage. These factors often lead to contrasting reactions to the same situations, creating misunderstandings and conflicts. The Benefits of Timely Counseling Seeking professional counseling at the right time can save you from significant mental, emotional, and even physical distress. Don’t wait for problems to become unmanageable or for resentment to take root. The first signs of trouble—the “seepage” in your relationship—are red flags that shouldn’t be ignored. Address your marital concerns today. With guidance, support, and a willingness to work through challenges, many relationships can be repaired and revitalized before it’s too late. Let’s Begin the Journey Your marriage deserves the best chance to thrive. At Prince Dhawan Counseling, I’m committed to helping you navigate challenges and create a fulfilling partnership. As a leading couples therapist in Delhi, I bring years of experience to guide you through this transformative process. Take the first step today. Contact us to schedule your consultation and start your journey toward a stronger, healthier relationship.

My Journey: Exploring Astro-Psychology, Palmistry, and Beyond Namaskar! My story begins with fond memories of my grandfather. A bright man and an Irrigation Engineer, he was also a seeker of the mystical. Though he didn’t practise often, I recall moments when he would captivate me with mythological tales, discussions on planets, and his rare forays into palmistry. He was a devoted Sikh, yet his reverence for Shiva ran deep, creating a unique blend of faith and curiosity. From a young age, I found myself drawn to Astrology, Palmistry, Metaphysics, and ESP (Extra Sensory Perception). The mysteries of parapsychology fascinated me, igniting a lifelong passion to explore the unseen and the unknown. Early Influences As I grew older, I had the fortune of meeting learned astrologers and palmists, including Mr. Kaul – a high ranking government official, who left an indelible mark on my journey. His teachings on palmistry, planetary influences, and the concept of karma deepened my understanding and fueled my interest in the occult sciences. Astrology and Disillusionment Like many seekers, my path was not without its trials. I spent significant amounts of money on astrologers and remedies, hoping to resolve the challenges I faced. None of them seemed to work. One particular incident stands out. I visited a renowned astrologer in Delhi during a turbulent phase in my life. He charged a hefty fee for a ritual and recommended a gem stone, promising it would change my fortunes. Instead, my life took a darker turn—I lost my father, a tragedy he hadn’t foreseen. That moment marked the end of my dependence on traditional astrologers and pushed me to seek deeper truths. The Intersection of Psychology and Astro-Psychology While pursuing my Masters Degree in Psychology, I couldn’t shake the belief that conventional psychology alone was insufficient to address the complexities of human suffering. This perspective often put me at odds with my peers, but my conviction remained steadfast. I realised that most people seeking therapy weren’t just looking for solutions—they wanted answers. Why am I feeling this way? Why is this happening to me? Conventional psychology, rooted in research and data, often relies on client inputs. However, I believed that blending psychology with astrology, parapsychology, and metaphysics could uncover deeper insights. The Moon and the Mind The moon has always fascinated me. I remember lying in the courtyard of my ancestral home, gazing at it in wonder. In Indian culture, the moon is central to festivals, auspicious timings (Muhurats), and mythological stories. In astrology, the moon governs the mind and thought processes – What we think, memories, perception & subconscious. An afflicted moon, in association with certain planets, is believed to contribute to cognitive distortions and mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, overthinking, and phobias. This understanding added another layer to my therapeutic approach. Applying Astro-Psychology In 2019, I began assisting friends, colleagues, and relatives using the tools of astro-psychology and parapsychology, which I have been practising for a few years now. The results were remarkable. These experiences solidified my belief in the power of these unconventional tools. A New Chapter In 2022, I transitioned to practising therapy full-time along with successfully running an HR Enterprise for close to 15 years. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, bringing me closer to the truth that observation leads to understanding, and understanding leads to healing. Today, I assist individuals in resolving relationship issues, addressing childhood trauma, and managing grief. Each person I work with teaches me more about the profound interplay between psychology and the cosmic forces that influence us. To all who have believed in me, thank you. Your trust and encouragement have allowed me to embark on this incredible journey of discovery, healing, and growth. With gratitude,Prince Dhawan

A Brief Approximately one in seven women may experience postpartum depression or a mood disorder within the first year after childbirth. This mental health condition can stem from various factors, including hormonal shifts, genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and family dynamics. However, many cases go unaddressed due to stigma, lack of awareness, denial, or feelings of guilt. I had firsthand experience with postpartum depression when my wife gave birth to our child. Although I was aware of this mental health condition as a therapist, supporting my wife during her first nine months after a C-section brought new insights. What helped my wife immensely was her ability to recognize the drastic changes in her mood and speak openly about them. Childbirth is no easy task; a woman’s body and mind undergo profound changes both during and after delivery. Addressing postpartum depression and mood issues is crucial, and the first, most important step is awareness. Postpartum depression often surfaces within the first two months postpartum, as the body and mind struggle to adapt to the transformation. Contributing factors include lack of time for self-care, sleep deprivation, disruptions to eating and exercise routines, insufficient support from a partner or family, and a persistent sense of irritability or exhaustion. While postpartum depression is often situational, it can become severe in some cases. ‘As both a therapist and a husband, I highly encourage expressing your thoughts and feelings and addressing postpartum depression or mood issues—even if they seem mild—within the first 2-4 months after childbirth, without fear of judgement.’ This mental health exercise can make a significant difference, helping you maintain a positive mindset and overcome challenges to create a supportive environment for both yourself and your child. Whether through virtual, phone, or in-person support, don’t hesitate to reach out. Acknowledge what you’re experiencing and take steps to address it.

In the pursuit of Happiness…/ OR Happiness…. is in pursuit, really? I’m certain that the title of this piece might have brought to mind the iconic Will Smith movie, which happens to be one of my all-time favourites as well. However, beyond the spelling differences, my perspective on this journey leans more toward introspection than motivation. While Will’s movie used ‘The’ as a prefix, I’ve chosen ‘In.’ Ever since I learned that Bhutan is considered the world’s happiest country, it has held a place on my travel wish list, and I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness it. Happiness is a topic that we discuss many times throughout the day, and most of us have developed our own unique approaches to either experiencing or simulating happiness. What was once a simple concept has evolved into something so intricate that at times we turn to Google for guidance on understanding it. In my individual and group counselling sessions, I frequently encounter people who express a desire to be happy in their lives. This underscores the fact that happiness is indeed a pursuit for most of us, which inspired me to share my own perspective on happiness. The term “happiness” has become highly subjective, with each person having their own unique interpretation of it. Some seek happiness in relationships, while others tie it to their future goals. For many, happiness is associated with securing suitable employment opportunities, while some find it in travel and exploration, and the list goes on. The crucial question, however, is: How can we truly attain happiness? We’ve turned happiness into something more tangible, which is why we often find ourselves in a relentless pursuit of it. Let me share a brief story before delving further: One day, a 10-year-old misplaced his pencil box and searched for it in the backyard. When his father came home from work, he inquired about it. The exchange went as follows: Father: Son, what are you looking for? Son: I misplaced my pencil box and I’m searching for it. Father: Where did you leave it? Son: As far as I can remember, I left it somewhere in the living room. Father: Then, son, your search is in error. Go and search in the house; you can only find your belongings where you actually lost them. In our quest for happiness, we often behave like the 10-year-old in this story, looking for it in the physical world. Our outward expressions are merely reflections of our inner emotions. Happiness is an emotional state that can only be felt from within. The problem is that we’ve associated happiness with a specific lifestyle or life pattern that we aim to achieve. In Buddhism, they say, “There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path.” Despite being one of the most comfortable generations in human history, we often struggle to find happiness.  Can we spare a few minutes each day for introspection?  When I say a few minutes, I mean a complete break from our current thoughts and mental activities. Instead, we should use this time to reflect on our past wishes that were granted, our desires that were fulfilled, and observe our surroundings, including those who are striving to make ends meet.  This may sound somewhat philosophical to some, but before sharing it here, I applied it to myself, and it truly works. Occasionally, a simple rearrangement of our home or workplace can help reactivate and channel the energy around us, making the familiar place appear more vibrant and pleasant. Let’s refrain from expecting those around us to transform into the version we believe is best. Instead, let’s look inward and strive to become the best possible version of ourselves. To truly experience happiness, it’s essential to replace anxiety with serenity, ingratitude with thankfulness, wishes and desires with gratitude, insecurity with love and affection, prejudices with admiration, expectations with generosity, apprehension with letting go, and ego with humility. “One way of being wise is to be happy.” The pursuit of happiness never truly ends, as the word “pursuit” implies chasing something. The beauty of happiness lies in living it rather than chasing it. In psychology we believe, ‘Those who are depressed cling to their past, those who are anxious worry about the future (which cannot be seen), and those who are happy are actually living in the moment, which is their present.”  Let’s decide which category we’d like to place ourselves in because dwelling in the past or the future will deprive us of enjoying our present. Life is not like a mutual funds investment that solely focuses on the future. Life is more about living in the present and cherishing each moment carefully and optimally. Let’s not waste the precious moments of our lives by worrying about the things we lack. Instead, let’s focus on the beautiful things we have around us, and happiness will naturally take hold.” Happiness is in surrender, not in splendour….. Thanks for reading Love & Gratitude,  Prince Dhawan