A young girl, 24 years old, guided by a single commandment in her heart, “Be compassionate to create a difference in the world”, embarked upon her journey through the path less travelled. Empowered with clarity and wisdom, she established a training institute, Psychopedia, dedicated to, as she herself asserts, “Helping people find the light hidden within them.”
Meet Aashna Narula, the zealous founder of Psychopedia. Being a trained Psychologist with a degree in the field of psychology; she resorts to the psychological principles and therapeutic methodologies to guide people in improving their mental health.
Describing her vision behind starting her venture, she stated that, “Normally, emotions are looked down upon as hindrances in our goal-achievement and making life difficult. But, psychology celebrates them as the essence of life. They become a problem when mismanaged or mishandled. Everyone is capable of a pleasant, happy and meaningful life and Psychopedia helps in achieving the same. It translates and decodes psychology for the people to empower them with their own strengths and virtues, and live a stress-free and contended life.”
At Psychopedia, She organises workshops for all age-groups grounded on various psychotherapeutic approaches. Her signature workshop, ‘Color Me Calm’ uses the Psychodynamic principles for Art Therapy. This workshop through various exercises uses art as a medium and mode of expression and communication. In these workshops art is not only used as diagnostic tool but a cathartic tool to address emotional issues.
Her other workshop, ‘Soul Connect’ is based on Behavioral therapy and counseling to help students deliver their best in stressful situations. Even, celebrated Psychologists are called upon to teach the participants ways through which they can deal efficiently with issues that these students grapple with like stress management, mastering the mind, team-work, goal-setting etc.
Apart from holding workshops to help people deal with stress and anxiety, Psychopedia also offers psychology coaching to students from the high school to UGC level. As Aashna herself states, “Psychopedia deals with emotions and education.”
As an educator, Aashna finds herself guided by Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote, “Tell me and I forget, teach me & I may remember, involve me & I learn”. She does not consider her students to be passive recipients of information, rather students are valued, listened to and their queries and opinions, respected and encouraged. More than demonstrating and explaining things, she believes in inspiring, helping gain insight and develop a love for learning. Her job as a teacher does not limit her to help the students merely score good grades, but prepare them to succeed in all walks of life. For her, the role of the teacher transcends to become a mentor and a counselor.
It is said, “When your heart truly desires something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.” Aashna’s story is a living example of the same. She was just a resolve away from establishing her ‘Pychopedia’. In May 2015, she completed her Masters, come June, Aashna had a pragmatic plan with her. Eventually, in July 2015, Psychopedia stood resolute in the prime YMCA complex, Sector 11C, Chandigarh, signifying the indomitable spirit of its zealous founder.
True to its maxim ‘Learn, Train and Heal’, Psychopedia stands committed to guide and support everyone unfold themselves to recognise their potential, find gratification, meaning and happiness in themselves and around. It stands for helping people enjoy the celebration called life
