Name: Mr. Akshara Damle
Celebrity Psychologist, TEDx Speaker
Company & Job Title: Founder of ManoSamvaada and Vishisht Wellness
When I started ManoSamvaada in 2016, the world of business was still a mystery to me. I didn’t have a structured company plan, a clear business development path, or even market research to know how viable the mental health field could be financially. Driven solely by a deep-seated passion for mental health, I ventured into this world without second thoughts. Unlike today, when mental health is recognized as a promising sector by businesses, profit was never our motivation. Our mission was simply to provide the best possible mental health interventions for the people who needed them.
My early days were filled with countless questions. How does one set up a mental health practice? What are the nuances, the formalities, the unwritten rules? I reached out to senior practitioners, looking for guidance, but often found little support. The lack of structured mentorship left me figuring out a lot of things on my own. Another major hurdle was capital. I couldn’t afford a dedicated clinical space and had barely enough funds to even consider it. To address this, I turned to virtual counseling—a decision born out of necessity rather than preference. It was a choice that prepared me well for the shift many struggled with during the COVID-19 pandemic, while others were adapting, I was already fluent in virtual therapy.
Those first years were challenging. Clients were scarce, and there were weeks when I would go without a single appointment. It made me question my career path, especially when older clients would walk away simply because they couldn’t imagine someone my age understanding their issues. Some clients would turn around at the door, but later, they acknowledged my expertise and skills. On top of these struggles, many people at the time still resisted the idea of virtual sessions. So, I found creative solutions, like conducting sessions in quiet cafés during their off-peak hours—an affordable alternative to renting private office space.
For nearly two years, I saw only a handful of clients, and it was challenging to charge for my services. I’d often leave it open for clients to decide the fee, and occasionally, I’d receive just ₹50 for an hour and a half of work. I knew something had to change, but it took time and experience to figure out how. Slowly, I learned the art of building a professional practice, and eventually, ManoSamvaada began to take shape as a business.
As ManoSamvaada grew, we developed unique methods that set us apart. In individual counseling, we tackled issues like stress, anxiety, relationship problems, and trauma. The results spoke for themselves, with clients experiencing substantial growth in their personal and professional lives. We expanded into family counseling, offering conscious parenting programs designed to empower young parents and create a foundation of mental wellness for future generations. For couples, we used a model that I introduced in a TEDx talk, focusing on relationship pillars. This approach has reunited countless couples on the verge of divorce while respecting individual paths if compatibility is lacking.
The need for mental health support in the workplace became clear to us early on. We launched training programs in stress management, conflict resolution, and team building, which left lasting impacts on participants both at work and at home. In time, we also recognized the importance of leadership coaching. To meet this need, we developed Nethrutvam, a program that balances empathy with assertiveness to help leaders succeed while aligning with organizational goals.
Building on this progress, we recently launched Vishisht Wellness, a company focusing on corporate wellness, employee assistance, and specialized products addressing issues like sinusitis, migraines, and sleep disturbances.
Looking back, the entrepreneurial journey has been anything but easy. Each setback taught a valuable lesson, and each victory was a testament to resilience. Today, we’re proud to have touched countless lives and witnessed the ripple effect of transformation among our clients and their loved ones. This journey in mental health has been more than just building a business—it’s about nurturing a healthier, happier society, one small step at a time.
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