About Baalmaitra
Started in 2011 by Mrs. Swati Bapat, ‘Baalmaitra’ is actively involved in guiding and counseling children, adolescent, and parents regarding educational, emotional, behavioral and relationship problems. Mrs. Bapat is experienced counseling psychologist who uses play therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in her practice.
“Baalmaitra” focuses on child development, counseling of children & parents and guidance to parents.
It focuses on positively enriching the journey of development of a child.
“Baalmaitra” conducts various workshops and therapies for the cognitive, social, behavioral and various emotional aspects of children.
Psychometric testing is conducted to help the children, adolescent and young adults to understand their strengths, intelligence, aptitude, orientation, and interests.
“Baalmaitra” focuses on happy, healthy, joyful childhood and equally on positive, rational, and enriched parenthood.
Our Mission
Our focus while working with individuals, especially children is to make them self-aware and conscious of self-identity. In turn, they help motivate others to work on various growth aspects so that they develop as responsible, creative, confident citizens with self-worth.
Child Development
Positive Parenting
Psychometric Testing
Workshops & Trainings
The main purpose of workshops / trainings is to help people get insights about finding practical solutions to their emotional difficulties, trauma, or blockages so that they regain their optimal level of functioning. Baalmaitra conducts various trainings and workshops for both, individuals as well as corporates.
About the Founder
Education
- M.A. (Counseling Psychology)
- Trained in “Child Counselling & Parenting”
- Trained in Comprehensive Child Development Program
- Trained in Play Therapy for Children
- B.E. (Electronics)
- Counselling Psychologist
- Passionate about comprehensive child development and parenting
- Conducted 50+ seminars, workshops & trainings on child development & parenting
- Conducted trainings on psychology related topics in schools, colleges, and corporates
- Developed training modules about various psychological aspects for adolescents and young adults
- Working as master trainer for abuse awareness program for children for Jnana Prabodhini, Pune
- Major contributor to trainer’s training manual about “Good Touch, Bad Touch” published by Jnana Prabodhini, Pune
- Has been consistently writing for last 20 years in newspapers like Maharashtra Times, Sakal, Tarun Bharat, Dainik Prabhat, Lokmat etc. & various magazines, weeklies, and online publishing platforms
- Panelist and keynote speaker at various institutes in Maharashtra
- Research interest – Improving self-efficacy, family factors, and life satisfaction of mothers of adolescent children
The Journey of Baalmaitra
Hello and Welcome to Baalmaitra! I am Swati Bapat, Founder of Baalmaitra. With immense pride I say that Baalmaitra has successfully completed 10 glorious years and we have created wonderful memories throughout.
As an Electronics Engineer who had a successful career in software and in teaching, all was going well in life. Motherhood changed all that! While raising my kids, I realized my real passion – my calling – the development of children and positive parenting. This inspired me to start “Baalmaitra” in 2011, where we focus on child development, child counselling, and guidance & counselling to parents.
Initially, I started conducting various developmental and fun activities for my own kids, then their friends joined and I started these activities for my colony kids. The number kept increasing gradually.
Around 2012 -13, I conducted various child development programs focusing on a happy, healthy and joyful childhood. I realized that just interest in this area of work is not sufficient, one must be formally trained and have should have scientific knowledge. Today, amongst a lot of other activities, “Baalmaitra” is happy to be associated with several renowned organizations. We conduct workshops and therapy sessions for children. I am a master trainer in Jnana Prabodhini for “Child abuse awareness programs” and have conducted, and continue to conduct numerous such awareness programmes free of charge for the children of age 6 to 16 years.
In 2014, I completed my formal training in child counseling and parenting and stood first class first. It boosted my confidence. As a counselor, I got to understand emotional needs of kids. I observed that parents are confused, family / relationship and communication concerns impact child growth and development and parents do need a helping hand and I started conducting workshops and trainings for parents too.
In 2015, Baalmaitra started conducting parenting workshops on various topics like encouraging self-discipline in children, nutrition and hygiene, self-awareness, multiple intelligence and strength-based therapy in children. At this time, I too decided to persue my Masters in Counselling Psychology. It was a proud moment for me. I was able to use my theoretical knowledge and experience to enhance skills in children and at the same time empower parents in handling their own kids. Later I also completed the Advanced training in Child Counselling and play therapy.
Managing family and my work was a challenging phase. But, my family, my team always have helped. I was fortunate to get blessings for my work from very renounced and respectable personalities. They have contributed a lot to Baalmaitra. Thanking them would never be enough, but we will always be in their debt. We have learnt a lot from them.
I completed my research project on mothers of adolescent children. A woman is the backbone of the family. She goes through a lot while discharging duties as a wife and parent and often ignores her physical & mental wellbeing. We have conducted workshops especially for mothers of adolescent children to help them attain self-efficacy and life satisfaction.
We have arranged many successful soft-skills corporate workshops.
The year 2020 was a year full of surprises, which led to new beginnings and new norms. The pandemic taught us to focus on positive aspects in any given situation. We conducted psychometric testing and several online workshops for children, parents, and educators. Also, by maintaining social distancing and following safety norms, we conducted a few testing and counselling sessions.
Baalmaitra has gradually but confidently grown to its current form with a decade long enriching experience and knowledge. We are thankful for your continuous support and encouragement.
If you have something to share and want a listening ear, Baalmaitra is just click away.