“I believe in the incredible resilience and resources each of my clients carry within” – Asma Ansari

28 April 2023
Team MyndStories Written by Team MyndStories
Team MyndStories

Team MyndStories


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How do you identify a good therapist?

A casual search on Google will give you a lot of answers. 

A therapist has to have the requisite qualifications, the right approach, and above all, that precious something called compassion. At MyndStories, we feel lucky that we have therapists who are all that and more. 

In this conversation with Asma Ansari, the co-founder of Reflective Conversations, we dug deep to find out just how therapists learn and grow and hold space for us. 


On your Instagram account, you describe your co-founder Serene George as a ‘soul sister’. How did you both meet and develop your friendship and start your journey as co-founders too?

We met as fellow classmates while trying to figure out this new career path we were diving into. I remember sitting next to Serene in our classroom one day and having this conversation about something she had written about the dilemmas of adulting. 

There was this warm, knowing silence followed by roaring laughter. In time, we found that it was not just similar hopes and dreams and quirks that we shared but vulnerabilities too. Those conversations kept flowing, weaving an endearing connection that eventually led us to start Reflective Conversations. 

Is that how you became interested in mental health?

Ever since I can remember, I have found myself gravitating towards humanities. When I took a parenting break, I began exploring my love for writing, which helped me deepen my connection with my inner self and the world around me. Further intrigued by human behavior and my own experience of mental health issues, witnessed stories of loved ones, I followed my heart and sense of wonder to pursue a career in this field.

It would be too big a thing to say that I wanted to make a difference. What I honestly aspired to was to follow what truly resonated with me and to belong to something bigger than myself.

And as a therapist, being a part of someone’s emotional journey is humbling and gratifying beyond words.

What are those gratifying moments?

It’s hard to pick one. There are so many moments, sometimes infinitesimal–a client discovering something new and insightful about themselves, shared silences, eye contact that speaks volumes, witnessing incredible grit, strength, vulnerability, courage, and humanness. 

A privilege to step into rich inner worlds and let them enrich mine. It’s humbling and inspiring in so many indescribable ways.

How do you approach difficult or complex cases with your clients, and what strategies do you use to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals?

Every time I am about to sit with a client for the first time, I do feel some amount of anticipation as to what they might bring to the therapy room, where their journey will lead to, and how best I will be able to stay beside them and provide the right support. It can be unnerving at times, to be honest. What helps me brace myself and to be present with my clients resourcefully is a ‘note to self’ that I am committing to understanding their world in my best capacity, even when it seems or gets hard.

When it comes to techniques, it’s hard to pick a one-size-fits-all approach. What I usually go with is a non-knowing stance and an intent to genuinely connect with my client and build that safe space for them where they can just be. And, of course, there are challenges and stuck points at times, which call for deeper reflections at my end – both individually as well as along with my supervisor. Besides, as and when appropriate, I bring up the stuck points in therapeutic conversations with my clients. Many times, these authentic, vulnerable conversations have helped strengthen therapeutic bonds and enabled me to get better insights into my clients.

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I believe in the incredible resilience and resources each of my clients carry within. It might get buried under layers of adversities and setbacks, it exists nonetheless. And in the collaborative process of therapy, I help my clients explore and tap into those resources and step toward their goals. 

But what about outside your sessions? Going to therapy is definitely self-care. What do you do for self-care and to maintain a healthy work-life balance? We know you like doodling for starters 🙂 

Oh, I suppose you are referring to “Thought Doodles”? That’s the name of a poetry book I published. I dive into the books (or Kindle, to be precise) the first chance I get after a busy day. 

It soothes me like nothing else. I love experimenting in the kitchen and spending time with my plant pets too. And along with relaxing, when I’m looking for some perspective, I seek out my little one for some ‘long conversations’ (as he calls them). And weekends are just for family and friends, doing things or doing nothing together.

On days when self-care seems to slip down the priority ladder, I am learning to hold myself accountable and ensure that I refill my cup.  

Can you share a success story from your work with Reflective Conversations that has been particularly meaningful or inspiring for you?

It was around last year during the same time with summer vacation going on. We were coming up with an immersive reading and creative writing workshop for children with a focus on emotional wellness. A lot of effort and love had gone into preparing the module. Yet, there was this nagging thought of how well we were going to engage the children in an offline workshop, post-pandemic, that required them to be away from screens and gadgets.

The workshop set off fine. It was on the last day of this two-week workshop, though, that we witnessed something quite heart-warming. Each one of the participants had the first draft of their respective stories ready with a gleam in their eyes and shared their joy of creation and sense of pride. They did work through the challenges and pushed themselves to seek the active joy of creating over the passive joy of consuming. And as we wrapped, the one question they all wanted an answer to was: “When are we having the next workshop?”

It was quite validating and affirming for us to do our bit in helping children choose and experience active joy, and discover their unique writing voices.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering a career in mental health care?

My two cents to those who want to pursue mental health care as a profession–You’re here. 

Either because you always wanted to or perhaps you eventually found your way here. Setting out on this journey can be gratifying and enthralling; as you move along, it may, and it does get lonely and overwhelming too. Self-doubt and dilemmas are bound to hit. 

So, find your tribe of like-minded peers and keep them close. They help you stay anchored along the way with perspective. Besides, shared experiences may help you feel centered and understood. Last but not least, take good care of yourself and keep a tab on how external factors and social media play out on your narratives of competence and expectations from yourself. 

Asma Ansari is one of the Content Reviewers on the MyndStories Team. She ensures that the content you read on MyndStories is as authentic and credible as it can get.

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