From Medical Practice to Mental Wellness: A Journey Across Continents and Many Worlds of Learning
A reflection on the transformative power of reading, cultural adaptation, and self-discovery
Life has a way of weaving unexpected patterns. What began as a conventional medical career in radiology evolved into something I never could have imagined—a journey that would take me from the bustling hospitals of India to the ancient streets of Tripoli, across the Mediterranean to Malta, and finally to the multicultural landscape of Canada, where I now pursue Counselling Psychology.
🌍 The Geography of Transformation
When my family migrated to Canada in July 2012, I faced a reality that many immigrant professionals know well: credentials earned abroad don’t automatically translate. Rather than view this as a setback, I continued practicing in Tripoli for four more years while my family established roots in Ontario. This separation, though challenging, became an unexpected gift—it allowed me to witness firsthand how resilience and adaptation work across cultures and continents.
For 23 years, I practiced as a radiologist, reading the invisible stories written in X-rays and scans. Now, I’m learning to read different kinds of stories—the narratives of human experience, the oral histories of working people, the complex chapters of mental and emotional well-being.
📚 The Tripoli Reading Group: Where Understanding Has Many Accents
Perhaps no experience better exemplifies the universal hunger for learning than our informal reading group in Tripoli, which ran from 2009 to 2016. I still smile when I remember that July afternoon in 2010 that crystallized everything for me.
A young girl greeted me with “Good Morning.” When I gently corrected her—”It’s Good Afternoon now”—she looked puzzled. She didn’t know how to say “Good Afternoon” yet. I handed her a picture book, a bridge between what she knew and what she was learning to know.
At the same table sat teachers discussing philosophy. One shared: “I told my daughter to read Kant properly—if you don’t, you won’t be able to understand any of the philosophers who followed. I myself just read Kant sporadically. A little here, a little there.”
That moment captured something profound: Different levels. Different “Good Mornings.” Different horizons. Yet we all gathered around the same fundamental human need—to understand, to grow, to connect through stories and ideas.
🚶♂️ Walking Toward Understanding
My love for long walks began with my father’s gift of morning walks—those magical hours when night surrenders to day. From collecting stamps of distant lands as a child (a window into cultures I’d later experience firsthand) to running half-marathons in my teens, movement has always been my companion to reflection.
These walks have evolved across continents: from hill temples around Pune, Shimla, and Rishikesh, through monument gardens in Delhi, along the beaches of Tripoli and Malta, to the diverse paths of the Greater Toronto Area. Each step has been both physical movement and mental exploration.
Walking teaches us something essential about learning: progress happens gradually, with attention to the present moment, while keeping sight of the destination.
📝 The Art of Paying Attention
Three influential men in my early life each contributed a piece of my foundation:
- My father, Brigadier Prem Narain Bhatt (an anesthesiologist): Shaped my scientific thinking and gave me those transformative morning walks
- My grandfather, Professor Ganesh Prasad Uniyal (Political Science, Banaras Hindu University): Nurtured my interest in social history and human narratives
- My uncle, Professor Ram Prasad Nawani (mathematician and Dean at Sagar University): Instilled the crucial habit of keeping notes
That last gift—note-taking—has proven invaluable. In medicine, careful observation and documentation save lives. In counselling, attentive listening and reflection help heal minds and hearts. In life, paying attention to our experiences allows us to learn from them.
🔄 From Healing Bodies to Healing Minds
The transition from radiology to counselling psychology might seem dramatic, but there are more connections than differences. Both require:
- Careful observation of what’s beneath the surface
- Pattern recognition across diverse cases
- Cultural sensitivity when working with people from different backgrounds
- The patience to wait for the full picture before making assessments
- The wisdom to know when to act and when to simply be present
My experience gathering oral histories and narratives of working people prepared me for this shift. Every patient has a story. Every X-ray represents a human experience. Every counselling session is an opportunity to help someone rewrite their narrative toward healing.
🌱 The Universal Language of Growth
Whether in a Tripoli reading group, a Canadian counselling session, or a quiet walk along Lake Ontario, I’ve learned that the desire for growth transcends borders. We all seek:
- Understanding of ourselves and our world
- Connection with others who share our journey
- Purpose that emerges from our unique experiences
- Resilience to adapt when life doesn’t follow our plans
The little girl who couldn’t say “Good Afternoon” and the teacher wrestling with Kant were both engaged in the same essential work: expanding their horizons, one word, one idea, one understanding at a time.
🎯 The Practice of Self-Awareness
My journey from medicine to mental health has taught me that self-awareness isn’t a destination—it’s a practice. Like morning walks or note-taking, it requires consistency, patience, and a willingness to see what’s actually there, not what we expect to find.
This practice becomes even more crucial when navigating cultural transitions. Understanding who you are in one context prepares you to adapt and grow in another, while maintaining your essential self.
COUNSELLING -USING HUMANISTIC EXISTENTIAL APPROACH
Parenting Journeys
Immigrants who favour the salad bowl versus the melting pot assimilate into the new world culture but retain cultural practices of their old world (Mahfouz, 2013). The In-between realities have been dissected over many cups of coffee, book clubs, walks and visits to different retreats, cultural centres, museums, and places of worship over the years. Our family came to Mississauga after two years in Malta
2022-Sagar Leaving Mississauga for New York
2018
Sahil passing out of Gordon Graydon
2024 YEAR END JOURNAL
2025 YEAR END JOURNAL
Books
Oral Histories- Libyan Arab Spring- 2011
Oral histories- Expatriates in Arab World
Reading Journal
Pinjar – the Skeleton- by Amrita Pritam
Alice Munro Life in Southern Ontario
Women on Woman Characters– Jhumpa Lahiri
Photography
YEAR END JOURNALS-2008-2015
Prashant Bhatt's notes 
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Nice to know about you man
Remember me?
I am in Bombay.
Hi Rane! Of course I remember you very well.
My first Registrar, and one who introduced me
to Old Resident’s hostel KEM, and guided and helped
me in my initial days in Mumbai.
Should meet at Ram Bhai mess some time to have
Vada Pav and Seera-Upma
Regards
PB
Prashant you truely amazing,read ur articles
right from Bijwasan land lord to your mentor on
note making – ur mausaji. That man is simply great
Thanks Nirmal Bhabhiji
Check this out
http://prashantbhatt.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/at-lodhi-again-7028669/
And
This one..Remembering dear Guddu Bhai
(http://www.chowk.com/articles/14679
please reply soon.
Hello Meet
I am Sagar.We are going to St.Edward’s college.
http://www.stedwards.edu.mt/
Today I had my first guitar lesson with a teacher
(Mr.Tony Pace) who has been teaching for 36 years,
It is raining in Malta today.
Regards from Sagar
I admire your time spending other than Radiology which make all of us happy coming incontact with you
Thank you sir, for your encouragement. This December we will repeat our walk by Lake Michigan
Only this time, we will go a bit later than the early morning hour (when night turns into day) which
was I think, a bit taxing last time.
Waiting to meet you soon…Panera, McCormick, Thai…and lot of talks and advice.
I repeat the mantra you told me regularly.. Thanks for everything
Dear Sir,
I am currently a student and will be coming to Libya at the end of February 2012 to do research and would very much like to meet you. I am investigating defection but would like to get a doctor’s perspective on the casulties of the uprising. Would this be something that you would be interested in?
Kind Regards,
Sam Sullivan.
Dear Sam
You are welcome to come and discuss anything.
I have been witness to casualties from both sides and general Libyan population.
Regarding defection-It depends on what you want and whether a medical doctor
will be able to provide that type of information.
I do write general articles (www.chowk.com/writers/2323) and if you
go through them, you will get an idea about my area of interest.
regards
Prashant
Woh I enjoy your blog posts, saved to favorites ! .
I like this web site very much so much wonderful info . “We cannot swing up on a rope that is attached only to our own belt.” by William Ernest Hocking.
Youre so cool! I dont suppose I’ve read anything like this before. So nice to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. Really thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality. Useful job for bringing something new to the internet!
I imagine you live quite an interesting and fulfilling life!
Thank you very much for stopping by my blog – I appreciate it:)
Wow what a smorgasboard of blogs and articles, must dive in 🙂 Also, thank you for visiting my blog!
Hi Prashant, I know it’s late but I nominated you for the “Blog Of The Year” award. Check it out:
Hi Prashant, thanks so much for the follow. Really appreciate it. May your year be filled with blessings and promises.
Good to know about the different currents in different parts of the globe
Visited Mamta and the children in Mississauga. They are doing well!
Had a great time.
Glad that you all had a great time.
Connecting with family is always Magical
Just wanted to say what a fascinating blog you have. Also to thank you for kindly visiting and liking my own.
I shall look forward to returning again soon.
Warm regards
Bob
Thanks Bob..we are all friends of photography, and so are friends of each other.Keep writing, keep posting..and many thanks for sharing your insights
Thank you kindly my friend.
Hello sir I am Roshan Uniyal, originally from Dehradun India.Right now I am in Malta. I want to join with you on Facebook.please add me .Thank you
Hello Roshan, stay in touch, regards
Hello Prashant Sir!
I am Sumeet Joshi, currently on an architectural practical training programme at Spidergrass and Co. based in Shimla. I am in the 9th sem in pursuing B.Arch from Pune, Maharashtra. At our office in Mythe Estate, Upper Kaithu, Shimla, we are researching on the heritage buildings in Shimla. We have also started a community/forum named ‘Samvaad, Some Walks’ where thinkers, architects, musicians, photographers come together to be a part of a conversation through which we explore, question and share impressions of life in the contemporary urban fabric of this historic hill station, Shimla.
Since Shimla is rich with heritage around, we walk around documenting and researching about the heritage structures and meet at Sundays to discuss. We came across your post where you mentioned about the old house you have in Upper Kaithu Area. It will be very helpful if we can connect to you where you can help us by sharing few memories of the your house, its history, heritage value and other heritage structures around Kaithu or Shimla.
Dear Sumeet- thanks for your interesting comments. Yes, our family came to Shimla from Garhwal Himalayas-in the last decade of 19th century-around 1890 (as far as my understanding from municipal records).
My father’s sister- who now lives in Lucknow may be able to tell more of life in Shimla of 1940s-to 60s..One of my cousin sisters is a historian, who has spent time as a Fellow in IIAS..written a book on Portuguese interludes in India..she too may be able to help.
Will be in touch-
Prashant
Hello Sir,
For our next forum meet up of ‘Samvaad, Some Walks’ we are researching on Peeli Kothis located in Kaithu locality. It was built by a Sikh Contractor named Kartar Singh Gill for his cousins. We would like to know if you can share any information like photographs about Peeli Kothi’s in Kaithu. It will be very helpful if we can connect to your cousin sister or any other person who can give us insights on the same.
Thankyou.
Hello Sumeet
It is good to be connected
I will send you message privately
But keep in mind that our family shifted to Delhi region in 1940 s
Regards
Prashant
Hello Sir,
For our next forum meet up of ‘Samvaad, Some Walks’ we are researching on Peeli Kothis located in Kaithu locality. It was built by a Sikh Contractor named Kartar Singh Gill for his cousins. We would like to know if you can share any information like photographs about Peeli Kothi’s in Kaithu. It will be very helpful if we can connect to your cousin sister or any other person who can give us insights on the same.
Thankyou.
Hi,
PRASHANT
I am Dr Subhash Yadav, hope you remember me. I was in KEM Mumbai. Nice to see your post on face book and visiting your website. I am in Lucknow, SGPGI. Hope to meet some day. Where are you now?
My email—- subhash70@gmail.com
Dr Subhash
Hello
So nice to hear from you
Of course I remember you very well
I am in Mississauga Ontario nowadays
Keep in touch
Regards
Prashant
i am dr manish jain hay to you and your family voyager where are you
Hi Manish – nice to be in touch
Miss You