You Don't Need a Crisis to See a Therapist - A Clinical Psychologist Sets the Record Straight
This episode features Rishi Singh in conversation with Pragya Pushkarna, a clinical psychologist at The Psychologist Near You with over seven years of practice. Pragya shares how she began her journey in psychology around 2015 - at a time when it was far from a conventional career path - driven by a deep interest in human behaviour, communication, and helping people understand themselves. The conversation opens by challenging one of the most persistent myths: that therapy is only for people who are severely mentally unwell. Pragya firmly clarifies that you do not need to be in crisis to seek support - therapy helps with emotional clarity, self-awareness, everyday stress, relationship challenges, and personal growth.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube - 35:06
“Seeking help, understanding yourself, and investing in long-term personal growth are signs of strength - not weakness.”
Breaking the Stigma Around Therapy
A significant portion of the discussion addresses the stigma that stops people from reaching out. Many individuals visit a general physician first because physical illness feels more acceptable to acknowledge, while emotional struggles are minimized or hidden out of fear of social judgment. Pragya explains that psychologists are specifically trained to understand behavioural patterns, thought processes, and emotional challenges - and creates a therapeutic space that is safe, confidential, and non-judgmental from the very first session. She also clarifies a common misconception: therapists do not give direct advice or tell clients what to do. Instead, they help clients explore their emotions, identify choices, and build healthier thinking patterns so they can make informed decisions themselves.
Myths About Psychologists - Mind Reading & Advice Giving
The episode dives into several widely misunderstood clinical conditions. Pragya explains OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) - involving persistent unwanted thoughts and repetitive compulsive behaviours that disrupt daily functioning - and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), which affects attention, concentration, and impulse control in ways that vary significantly between individuals. She stresses that these are clinically diagnosable conditions assessed using internationally accepted frameworks such as DSM-5 and ICD-11, and cautions against casually self-labelling or using these terms loosely. On LGBTQ+ identity, Pragya is unequivocal: it is not a disease, not a disorder, and not a mental illness - it represents natural human variation in sexual orientation, gender identity, and romantic attraction, deserving acceptance and respect.
What Actually Happens During a Therapy Session
Pragya speaks candidly about the mental health pressures of modern adult life - particularly work-life imbalance driven by late working hours, difficulty disconnecting while working from home, and consistently neglecting personal time and family relationships. She notes that many people cope by constantly distracting themselves through social media, work, or other external stimulation rather than spending time understanding their own emotions. She also addresses the impact of excessive screen time, especially consumption of short-form content like reels and shorts, which can shorten attention spans, reduce concentration, and negatively affect children's speech and cognitive development.
Overthinking, OCD, ADHD & Clinical Diagnosis
The conversation closes with reflections on generational differences in mental health attitudes - noting that Gen Z is more likely to set boundaries and speak openly about well-being compared to Millennials or Baby Boomers who often prioritised financial stability at the expense of personal health. Pragya also explains why therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes: the remaining 10 minutes allow therapists to process the session, reset emotionally, and prepare for the next client. Her final message is a call to invest in all dimensions of personal growth - emotional, mental, physical, and professional - and to spend time with yourself every day in activities that bring genuine peace and happiness.
Key Takeaways
- 01
Therapy is for everyone - you do not need to be severely mentally ill to benefit from professional psychological support.
- 02
Mental health deserves the same priority and attention as physical health - both are equally real and equally valid.
- 03
Psychologists guide clients to find their own answers; they do not give direct advice or tell you what decisions to make.
- 04
Therapy is confidential and non-judgmental - the first session is focused entirely on building trust and emotional safety.
- 05
OCD and ADHD are clinically diagnosable conditions assessed using DSM-5 and ICD-11 frameworks - they should not be casually self-labelled.
- 06
LGBTQ+ identities are natural variations of human experience in orientation, attraction, and gender identity - not illnesses or disorders.
- 07
Work-life imbalance is one of the biggest contributors to adult mental health challenges - disconnecting and protecting personal time is essential.
- 08
Excessive screen time and short-form content consumption can reduce attention spans and negatively impact children's cognitive development.
- 09
Parenting has no universal formula - effective parenting is adapted to each child's individual personality, temperament, and emotional sensitivity.
- 10
Personal growth requires daily, consistent investment in emotional, mental, physical, and professional well-being.
Disclaimer: This podcast and its summary are intended for educational and informational purposes only. The discussion does not constitute clinical therapy, professional counseling, psychological diagnosis, or medical advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis, please consult a qualified mental health professional or contact local healthcare resources.