We all know travel is therapeutic. It can increase your energy levels, help you de-stress, and make you happy. However, travelling for leisure is very different from actual therapeutic travel. Travel Therapy is a new and unique concept which hasn’t been explored much in the city. We caught up with Asees Chadha, a psychotherapist and founder of Soul Therapy. It is the city’s only travel therapy centre. And she told us everything we need to know about this new and unique concept. Read on!
Asees is a Clinical Psychotherapist based out of Delhi (NCR). She is the Founder of Soul Therapy, a centre for creative and alternate form of therapy and a CID-UNESCO certified Arts Therapist.
So, to begin with, tell us how and when did you start Soul Therapy?
Soul Therapy began as a result of many years of travel, participating in the arts and having a passion for psychology. It started in 2017 as a mental health organisation to remove the stigma so commonly faced with mental health issues by using creative and alternate forms of therapy such as Arts Therapy, Travel Therapy as well as counselling and Psychotherapy.
So, tell us all about it. What is the concept behind this venture?
Soul Therapy is about creating a safe space for clients where they may explore themselves and creatively express their individuality. This can be done in a familiar setting such as the Soul Therapy centre in Gurugram as well as a new therapeutic location. Travel Therapy finds its roots in environmental psychology where we believe not just the immediate surroundings playing a part in mental health but also the impact of nature on the mental and physical body.
Talking of travel therapy particularly, how is travel therapeutic and what is travel therapy all about?
Travel Therapy is the active removal of an individual from their immediate environment while transporting them to an exotic and therapeutic location, preferably rich in the natural environment for self-exploration and growth. Many times, physically removing oneself from a stressful environment and travelling to a new place can create the opportunity of forming positive associations with that space while exploring yourself in a new setting so one can gain mental clarity without the humdrum of daily life.
Is it for everybody or people particularly with stress/depression issues need it?
Anyone can go for a Travel Therapy trip! Different people have various reasons for taking these trips. While someone may need a change of physical environment, others may use it to relieve stress. Moreover, one can also use it as a therapeutic journey for self-exploration or just to meet people from different walks of life. One may go for Travel Therapy solo, with a friend or partner or even as a whole family! Trips can be specially organized depending on the needs of the client.
How does Travel Therapy actually work? What does your travel therapy trips entail?
Travel Therapy essentially uses exotic and therapeutic locations rich in the natural environment while combining elements of Psychology, Art and Travel. The trips are specifically curated for the client group in question. And the goals and interests of each individual are taken into account. Moreover, group art therapy sessions are used for the group to form rapport and get to know each other better. Additionally, individual counselling and Psychotherapy is also provided on these trips where the clients can make an appointment with the psychotherapist. Some physical activities may also be organized such as beach walks and jungle treks. Lastly, some downtime is provided to the group for reflection, relaxation and soaking in the destination.
Sounds lovely. So, what do you keep in mind when picking a destination for your travel therapy trips?
We organize travel therapy trips depending on popular demand for a particular location. We hold polls for clients where they may choose between different locations. We keep the weather and comfort of the clients are kept at the highest priority when deciding a location. We usually choose the hills for Summer Travel Therapy and beaches for Winter. The element of the natural environment is extremely important in choosing a place where the clients can be comfortable and explore the destination at their own pace.
Great! Can you tell us about the last travel therapy trip you organised?
The last Travel Therapy trip organized was to Havelock Island, Andamans and Nicobar in October 2018. The driving factor for the destination chosen was how rich Havelock Island is in nature with white sand beaches and green forests. This helped us in using different elements of nature for sessions where clients could participate in different activities such as an arts therapy session on the beach or a jungle trek to get the physical body moving. Moreover, the venue Outback Resorts was strategically placed right across the beach where sunrise walks became a mandate throughout the trip. Additionally, Havelock Island is also host to many travellers and divers which gave the participants an opportunity to connect with different people and learn about their experiences while sharing their own.
And what all trips do you have planned this year?
We have two Travel Therapy trips planned so far this year. The first will be the Summer Travel Therapy between July- August at a hill station to beat the heat such as Kasauli. Whereas the Winter Travel Therapy will be organized between November-December at a beach destination such as Goa or a road trip to the deserts of Rajasthan.
We hope you got to learn about this new concept and would definitely want to explore. You can get in touch with them to find out more about the upcoming trips and call them for any preferences in the destination or to especially design a trip for your group!
Facebook: @wearesoultherapy
Instagram: @wearesoultherapy
Contact: +91 99900 33800
Featured Image Source: Instagram/wearesoultherapy and Facebook/aseeskaurchadha
