Psychizen: From Rebellion to Revolution in India’s Mental Health Space

 


 
In India, conversations around mental health are often whispered rather than spoken openly. Therapy is still seen as a luxury, access is limited to metro cities, and digital privacy remains a major concern. Amid these challenges, two young founders—Kanak Verma (Founder & COO) and Saksham Malik (CEO & Co-Founder)—are on a mission to change the narrative. Their startup, Psychizen (Psychizen Private Limited), aims to make therapy affordable, private, and accessible, while also empowering students and professionals through internships and mentorship programs.

At its core, Psychizen isn’t just an app—it’s an ecosystem designed to normalize mental health, train the next generation of psychology advocates, and create a trusted hub for therapy and learning.

The Rebellion That Sparked a Revolution

The story begins with Kanak Verma, a psychology enthusiast from Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. While most young people around her aspired to engineering, medicine, or business careers, Kanak was drawn to the human mind and its complexities. She pursued a degree in Psychology Honors, but the rigid academic system left her dissatisfied. At just 19, she made a bold declaration to her family: “One day, I will build my own psychology app.”

Her vision was simple yet ambitious—mental health should hold the same importance as physical health, and technology could make this possible. But the idea needed execution, scale, and a strong technological backbone.

That’s when she crossed paths with Saksham Malik, a hacker turned entrepreneur. With multiple ventures in SaaS and IT under his belt, including Vistice Foundation and Instrovia, he had already established himself as a problem-solver who could turn bold ideas into digital realities.

When Kanak shared her vision, Saksham immediately resonated with it. The two decided to merge psychology with technology, passion with execution. Together, they co-founded Psychizen, setting out to reshape India’s mental health landscape.

Psychizen’s Three Pillars

While many startups in the mental health space focus solely on therapy, Psychizen stands out with its unique three-pillar model that integrates care, education, and empowerment.

1. Therapy Services

Psychizen’s therapy offerings are designed to break the barriers of cost, language, and accessibility. Sessions range from ₹1200 to ₹5000, significantly more affordable than traditional therapy clinics. Every psychologist on the platform is verified, ensuring quality care. Importantly, the sessions are hosted on a privacy-first, encrypted technology stack, addressing growing concerns about digital confidentiality. The platform also supports multiple languages, making it inclusive for Tier 2 cities where English isn’t the first choice.

2. Internship Program

At just ₹999, Psychizen’s internship program has already started attracting college students across India. The goal is to equip the youth to become mental health advocates—running awareness campaigns, building conversations in their communities, and reducing stigma. For students of psychology, it also doubles up as practical exposure, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Universities are already showing interest in collaborating, which could help Psychizen scale this initiative into a nationwide movement.

3. Mentorship & Courses

Psychizen is also tapping into the rising demand for affordable online learning. The platform offers expert-led mentorship and structured courses in psychology—designed not just for students, but also for professionals and organizations. From foundational psychology lessons to corporate wellness training, the aim is to build India’s largest digital psychology learning hub over the next few years.

The Mission That Drives Them

Kanak and Saksham’s mission is clear:

Break the stigma surrounding therapy.

Make mental health affordable and private for all.

Empower the youth through structured internships and mentorships.

Create a global ecosystem where therapy and learning coexist.

Kanak describes her journey best: “Dreams are never too big. Keep a positive outlook, work consistently, and the results will come.”

For Saksham, the philosophy is rooted in action: “Every second has the power to change your life—if you use it wisely.”

Together, their synergy—vision plus execution—forms the backbone of Psychizen.

Why Psychizen Matters Now

The timing couldn’t be more crucial. Post-COVID, India has seen a 40% rise in demand for therapy, with young people reporting record-high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout. At the same time, concerns about privacy, cost, and accessibility keep millions from seeking help.

Psychizen bridges this gap. Its privacy-first approach reassures users, while its affordable pricing makes therapy accessible to the middle class and students. By adding internships and mentorships, Psychizen also creates a multiplier effect—training advocates who spread awareness further into society.

Early Wins & The Road Ahead

Even before its official launch, Psychizen has made promising strides. The platform has already onboarded 10+ early users, partnered with 5 verified psychologists, and received positive testimonials. Colleges have shown interest in adopting its internship model for students, and NGOs are exploring collaborations.

Looking ahead, the company has three major milestones:

Public Launch Campaign of Psychizen.

Release of the State of Student Mental Health Report 2025.

Expansion of partnerships with universities, NGOs, and corporates for wellness programs.

Over the next 3–5 years, the founders envision Psychizen scaling to 1M+ users, achieving unicorn status, and expanding into South Asia and the Middle East.



Key Takeaway

Psychizen is more than a therapy platform—it’s a movement. By combining therapy, internships, and mentorship courses, it is building India’s first privacy-first mental health ecosystem. At a time when mental health is both a rising challenge and an urgent necessity, Psychizen offers hope, accessibility, and empowerment.

For young Indians, it sends a powerful message: seeking therapy is not weakness, but strength. And for the nation, it signals the beginning of a much-needed revolution in mental health.

�� Visit www.psychizen.com

to book therapy or explore programs.

�� Follow Psychizen on social media for resources and updates.

�� For partnerships with universities, NGOs, and corporates, connect via the website.

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