‘School days were filled with countless cherished memories’

This alumnus of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park has come a long way from the time when he was in school – from working as an intern to a trainee psychotherapist to working full time to teaching as a visiting faculty at Dr BR Ambedkar University where he taught a slew of programmes to MPhil and MA students to today having his practice in Gurugram by the name of Clear Sky Mental Health Clinic. Meet Vikas Deepak.

“I have been a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in private practice for the last 10 years. My work is focused on long-term psychotherapy for chronic mental health issues,” Vikas said.

In a candid interview, he talks about the differences between a psychologist, a psychotherapist, and a psychiatrist among other things

What exactly does a psychotherapist do?

Psychotherapy is a specific subset of the mental health field. Within the field of mental health, there are counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychotherapists. Under this psychotherapy is talk therapy. What differentiates this field from counseling is that the psychotherapy training is more extensive and you are trained for long-term work; you deal with people who have mental health conditions or psychiatric disorders or those people who have difficulty in dealing with relationships and adjustment issues.

How does psychotherapy differ from psychologists and psychiatrists?

While psychologists often conduct psychological testing and have a broader scope like doing psychometric testing, psychotherapists primarily specialise in talk therapy. Our diagnostic approach is primarily verbal, through client interactions. Psychotherapists don’t often rely on psychometric tests; the diagnosis is primarily via the verbal route provided by the client. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, focus on the biological aspects, diagnosing issues related to neurotransmitter imbalances and prescribing medication if necessary. However, there are a few psychiatrists who do a bit of talking these days to find out what the issue may be.

How did you become interested in the field of psychotherapy?

My interest in psychotherapy developed from a lifelong philosophical curiosity. I started with non-fiction books on philosophy in school and gradually honed in on psychology. I’ve always been fascinated by the workings of the human mind, including what leads to contentment and suffering. After school, I decided to pursue this field.

You were a visiting faculty at Dr BR Ambedkar University. Could you tell us more about your experience there?

I served as a visiting faculty member at this university in Delhi, from 2018 to 2022. It was a fulfilling experience, where I shared my knowledge with students interested in psychotherapy. I earned my MPhil degree from here and began teaching here. Before my stint at the university, I worked in a different setting that focused on severe mental health issues like bipolar disorders and schizophrenia.

 Why did you transition from teaching to full-time practice?

Initially, I balanced part-time practice with teaching at the university. However, I eventually shifted to full-time practice, primarily because I wanted to devote more time and energy to my clients and my clinic which is in Gurugram in Sector 49.

Can you share some fond memories from your school days?

School days were filled with countless cherished memories, from making friends on the first day to enjoying time in the canteen and the adventures of the school bus. My journey at this branch of Apeejay School began in class VI and continued through class XII, with interactions with memorable principals.

Do you think your school days were better than your college days?

Both school and college had their unique charm and fun. School days brought lifelong friendships, and while I made good friends in college as well, there’s something special about school friendships that last a lifetime. I am still in touch with my school friends.

How has the holistic development focus of Apeejay helped you in your profession?

Transitioning from a small town in Karnataka to Apeejay in Delhi was a significant change. The grandeur of the school, the atmosphere, and the top-quality teachers were transformative for me. The opportunities that I got here – from sports to music – everything was much better than what I was used to. Studying in a place where the teachers wanted to do their best helped me adapt to city life and shaped me into the professional I am today.

Any advice for students interested in pursuing a career in psychology or a related field?

My advice to students considering a career in psychology or a related field is to focus on gaining a deep understanding of human behaviour, to be empathetic, and to be prepared for continuous learning. Building strong, lasting friendships along the way is also crucial. It’s a field that requires both knowledge and compassion. While there is still a stigma attached to going to a psychotherapist, things are changing and this profession is becoming lucrative. This profession is challenging and comes from different clients.

You have to work on yourself so that you can differentiate yourself from the patient and that may come from your personality. This takes a while so be ready to put in effort.

What are some of the traits that a psychotherapist must have?

I would say, patience. This profession requires time. You don’t see results overnight. Some patients may take months, others may take a couple of years. You have to work at your client’s pace. You also require discipline and hard work. You also have to be interested in this profession and the workings of the human mind.

A book you would recommend that people read to understand how the brain works.

The best book to read would be Psychopathology of Everyday Life by Sigmund Freud, he was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis. He is one of my favourite people who lived several decades before us. As you can see from the title of the book, it can be read by one and all.