Recently, I had the chance to work with The Banyan team again, this time with the added responsibility of translating Tamil to Malayalam for health workers. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Tamil. The training included role plays that highlighted what can go right in a counseling session, and what can go wrong. Even in pretend scenarios, the discomfort during the "not okay" sessions was palpable, showing just how crucial this work is. One of the key lessons from the training was noticing how often we instinctively want to jump in and offer quick solutions. Many people come in feeling lost and frustrated, seeking immediate fixes. But the true role of a counselor isn’t to make decisions for them—it’s about helping them understand the source of their self-doubt, whether it's physical, emotional, or external pressures. Many people seeking help were once children who trusted themselves completely, and along the way, that trust was eroded. The goal in counseling is to help them rebuild that trust. Offering solutions might seem helpful at the moment, but it can reinforce the idea that someone else is in control of their life. Instead, we need to give them space to reconnect with their bodies, sensations, emotions, and thoughts. Ultimately, it’s not about fixing people—it’s about helping them find the strength they’ve always had within themselves. This training reinforced how essential it is to truly listen, not to correct or criticize, but to simply be present.
