New Delhi, April 8 -- At a wedding recently, a nine-year-old asked me what a psychotherapist did.

Explaining one's work to children is a delicate process. I said I listen to people when they feel sad, lonely or when life feels difficult. At this, the child asked, "So it's only listening?" I said, "Using research and science backed methods, I help people listen to themselves and find hope when it goes into hiding." The child was quiet for some time and then asked, "Do people only cry or they laugh too when they come to you?"

I was amused by how fast the child's brain was working and her thoughtfulness and wisdom. I said, "Clients do laugh a lot, will smile shyly when sharing something good that happened and other times cry and smile toge...