In Conversation with Dr. Mehjabeen

About Dr. Mehjabeen

Dr. Mehjabeen is a Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Child Psychologist, Life Coach, Doctorate holder in Psychology, and the Founder of Vision High Mental Health Wellness, an organisation dedicated to creating greater awareness about mental health and making psychological support more accessible.

She also serves as the Director of the Karnataka State Board for Mental Health & Human Rights, Women President of GHRT, and National Director – Health & Mental Well Being, DASF. She is also an External Expert Member of the Internal Committee under the POSH Act, 2013, at IFIM Law School, Bengaluru.

With years of professional experience in psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, child psychology and mental-health awareness, Dr. Mehjabeen has worked extensively with individuals, children, families and communities. Her work extends beyond clinical practice into social awareness, education and community mental-health initiatives.

Alongside her professional journey, she is an author and literary voice whose writing explores human emotions, relationships, identity, hidden struggles and the realities people often hesitate to confront. Her books reflect her psychological insight combined with emotionally raw and reflective storytelling.

Dr. Mehjabeen has received more than 40 awards and recognitions for her contributions to psychology, mental-health awareness, women empowerment and social initiatives. Through both her professional work and writing, she continues to encourage people to understand themselves more deeply, question social silence and look beyond appearances.

LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.

Dr. Mehjabeen: Some stories are not born from imagination alone, they are born from countless conversations, silent tears, unanswered messages, and hearts searching for meaning.
“FROZEN & PETALS” is a reflection of the love stories I have witnessed among Gen Z. A generation that loves deeply yet often struggles to express its emotions. In a world filled with instant connections, many hearts still feel disconnected because silence is mistaken for understanding and confusion is mistaken for love.
This book is not just about romance. It is about the spaces between words, the feelings left unsaid, and the consequences of assuming that someone will understand without being told.
Love is not confusion. Love is clarity.

Love is not silence. Love is expression.
Love is not a burden. Love is a beautiful journey filled with laughter, vulnerability, growth, and unforgettable moments.

Through these versions, I invite you to explore a story where emotions bloom like petals but can also freeze when left unspoken. My hope is that this novel encourages every reader to communicate, express, and cherish love while it is still within reach.
May Frozen & Petals touch your heart and remind you that the most beautiful feelings deserve to be spoken aloud.

LiFT: Why did you choose this title?

Dr. Mehjabeen: Chose the title “Frozen ’n’ Petals” because it represents two contrasting sides of human emotions. Frozen reflects feelings that become trapped within us—unspoken words, unresolved emotions, fear, confusion, and moments when the heart stops knowing how to move forward. Petals, on the other hand, represent softness, beauty, hope, vulnerability, and the possibility of blooming again.

The title reflects how something beautiful can exist alongside emotional pain. Just like a flower can have delicate petals while facing harsh weather, people can appear strong on the outside while carrying emotions that remain frozen within.

For me, “Frozen ’n’ Petals” is a metaphor for the human heart—its wounds, its silence, its fragility, and its ability to bloom despite everything it has endured.

LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?

Dr. Mehjabeen: My writing journey began much earlier than my journey as a psychologist. When I was around ten years old, I started writing little poems simply as a hobby. What began as a childhood fascination gradually became a passion during my adolescent years. Writing became a quiet space where I could express thoughts, emotions and observations that were difficult to put into words otherwise.

As I grew older and became a psychologist, that passion found a deeper meaning. Through years of listening to people, I encountered countless emotions, stories and silent struggles that often remained unspoken. I realised that writing could become another way of reaching those emotions and giving a voice to what people sometimes cannot express themselves.

I did not begin writing simply to tell stories. I began writing to explore the human mind, expose hidden emotions and make people pause and reflect. My experiences, observations, relationships, human behaviour and the realities I witnessed became my inspiration. Psychology gave me an understanding of emotions, while literature gave me the freedom to express them.

LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?

Dr. Mehjabeen: Ten years from now, I see myself continuing to write with the same honesty and emotional depth, but reaching a much wider audience across cultures and generations. I would like my books to travel beyond boundaries and connect with readers who find a part of themselves in my words.

I also hope to bring psychology and literature closer together, creating work that is emotionally engaging while encouraging readers to understand themselves and the world around them more deeply. Most importantly, I want to remain a writer who writes with purpose—not simply for recognition, but to leave something meaningful behind.
And also my dream to achieve writing more than 100 Books.

LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?

Dr. Mehjabeen: I believe both quality and marketing are important, but quality must come first. A good book creates a lasting connection with its readers, while effective marketing helps that book reach the people who may need or appreciate its message.

Today, readers discover books through social media, digital platforms, recommendations and conversations, so visibility certainly matters. But marketing can introduce a book; the writing is what makes readers stay, remember it and recommend it to others.

For me, promotion should not only be about selling a book. It should be about creating a genuine connection between the author’s message and the reader.

LiFT: What message do you want to convey to people through your writing?

Dr. Mehjabeen: Through my writing, I want people to look beyond appearances and listen to the emotions that often remain unheard. We all carry stories, wounds, fears and dreams that may not be visible to others.

I want my readers to question what they have always believed, understand their own emotions more deeply and realise that vulnerability is not weakness. Even after pain, loss or disappointment, there is always a possibility of healing and beginning again.

I do not write to escape reality; I write to expose it—especially the truths we often choose to remain silent about.

LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?

Dr. Mehjabeen: Apart from writing, I am a Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Child Psychologist and Life Coach, and I am the Founder of Vision High Mental Health Wellness. My work primarily focuses on psychological support, mental-health awareness, Therapy sessions and community outreach.

I am also involved in various social and mental-health initiatives, awareness programmes, educational activities and community projects. I enjoy connecting with people, understanding human behaviour and creating initiatives that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

LiFT: What activities do you resort to when you face writer’s block?

Dr. Mehjabeen: When I face writer’s block, I don’t force myself to write. I believe the mind sometimes needs a break before it can create something meaningful.

I play football, travel, explore art, listen to music, have fun, and spend time socialising with people. These activities help me refresh my mind and look at life from different perspectives. I practise spirituality and brings peace in me , which gives me an opportunity to reconnect with myself.
It’s RECREATE, DISCOVER, CONNECT, REFLECT

Travelling and meeting different people often inspire new thoughts, while art and music allow me to express emotions in different ways. Most importantly, I use these moments to discover myself—my thoughts, emotions, experiences and the way I see the world.

For me, writer’s block is not a lack of creativity. Sometimes, it is simply a reminder to stop, live, experience and observe. I believe that when I return to writing, I bring back not just words, but new experiences and emotions to share.

LiFT: What if your story were to be adapted into a movie? Who would you want to work as the director or actors in it?

Dr. Mehjabeen: If one of my novels were adapted into a movie, I would want a director who understands human psychology, emotions and the complexity of relationships—not just the surface of the story.

I would love to see Zoya Akhtar or Vikramaditya Motwane bring the story to life, because their storytelling can explore characters with depth and emotional realism.

For the actors, I would choose performers who can express what is left unsaid—the silences, conflicts, vulnerability and intensity behind the characters. Depending on the novel, I would love to see actors like Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Vicky Kaushal or Taapsee Pannu in the right roles.

Ultimately, I wouldn’t want a star-studded adaptation just for glamour. I would want the film to preserve the soul of the novel and make the audience feel the emotions as deeply as they felt them on the page.

LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?

Dr. Mehjabeen: Yes, I am working on my next book. I don’t want to reveal too much about it yet, but I can say that it will once again explore the complexity of the human mind, emotions and relationships.

My writing has always been about looking beyond what is visible and giving a voice to emotions that often remain unheard. The next book will continue that journey, exploring the hidden layers of human behaviour, love, identity and the realities we sometimes avoid confronting.

I am taking my time with this book because I want the story to feel emotionally honest and meaningful. For me, every book is not just a story—it is an exploration of people, emotions and life itself.

I hope readers will discover something of themselves within its pages.

LiFT: What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills?

Dr. Mehjabeen: My biggest suggestion to aspiring writers and poets is simple: read deeply, write consistently and observe life closely.

Writing is not only about having a good vocabulary; it is about understanding emotions, people and experiences. Read different genres and different authors, experiment with your own voice, and don’t be afraid to write imperfectly in the beginning.

I also encourage writers to maintain a journal. Write down thoughts, conversations, emotions, observations and even ordinary moments. Sometimes, the smallest experience can become the most powerful piece of writing.

Seek constructive feedback, learn from criticism, and keep improving your craft. At the same time, don’t lose your individuality by trying to sound like someone else.

Most importantly, write from what you genuinely feel and believe. A writer’s greatest strength is authenticity. Your experiences, your perspective and your voice are what makes your writing uniquely yours.

And above all, be patient. Writing is a journey of recreating, discovering, connecting and reflecting—with yourself and with the world around you.

Click here to order Dr. Mehjabeen’s Book – Frozen ‘n’ Petals