Md. Rakibul Hasan Mahin - Counseling Psychologist

15/05/2025

I had the opportunity to participate as an observer in the EMDR Level 1 training, held on May 4–5 and 11–12, 2025, organized by EMDR Bangladesh in association with EMDR India. This training aimed to scale up the number of EMDR-trained therapists in Bangladesh to strengthen the country’s capacity in trauma-focused mental health care.

11/04/2025

"Not every thought deserves your attention."
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This was one of the key insights from a recent lecture I delivered on stress management for an engaged group of university students.
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Stress is part of life but how we respond to it determines its impact. Recognizing which thoughts deserve our energy (and which ones we can let go) is a powerful skill for maintaining mental well-being.
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Remember: You have a greater ability to guide your mind than you think.

18/03/2025

True calm isn’t just a state of mind—it’s a feeling in your body.
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Your nervous system holds memories beyond your awareness, reacting to past experiences in ways you may not even realize.
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Regulating your nervous system isn’t about simply "calming down"—it’s about understanding your body’s response to stress.
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Your symptoms aren’t random; they’re your brain’s way of protecting you from perceived threats.
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The goal isn’t to erase stress but to build resilience, expanding your capacity to handle it.
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And how do you build that resilience?
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Self-care. Self-care. And more self-care.
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Remember, self-care isn’t selfish—it’s survival. It’s how you keep going.

08/02/2025

It was an honor to be part of the process, reviewing the applications from passionate community leaders who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities.
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A huge thank you to the IREX and Community Solutions Program (CSP) team for this recognition! Looking forward to continuing to support and collaborate in creating a stronger, more vibrant global civil society.

04/02/2025

This badge: Indicates that World Education Services (WES) has evaluated the associated credential on behalf of the holder. Verifies the authenticity of the claimed credential. Provides assurance that the awarding institution and/or program was accredited at the point that the credential was issued I...

01/02/2025

Md. Rakibul Hasan Mahin, Counseling Psychologist, Founder & CEO of Wellness Journey BD, served as a Mentor-Supervisor at the 1st Psychological Case Conference, organized by the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology (DECP), University of Dhaka, and the Bangladesh Educational and Counselling Psychology Society (BECPS). His participation underscores his commitment to advancing the field of counseling psychology, mentoring emerging professionals, and contributing to the development of evidence-based mental health practices in Bangladesh.

26/01/2025

Every Relationship Will Eventually Feel “Boring” After Years Together. This is the truth no one tells you. Relationships, no matter how electrifying they are in the beginning, inevitably shift as time goes on. The butterflies settle, the late-night conversations become familiar, and the excitement of novelty fades. But this doesn’t mean the love is gone—it means it’s evolving. Relationships are not meant to remain in the honeymoon phase forever. They’re designed to mature, to deepen, and to become something more profound. Yes, life can make it feel routine, but it’s within those ordinary moments that the most extraordinary kind of love can grow—the love that sees beauty in the everyday.

Love Is Not Just a Feeling—It’s a Choice.
We’re sold a false narrative that love should always feel effortless, thrilling, and passionate. But the truth is, love isn’t just a fleeting emotion—it’s a daily commitment. Feelings ebb and flow; they are not constant. Real love is the choice to keep showing up, to stay, and to care, even on the hard days. It’s about being there when life is messy, when your partner is struggling, or when the romance takes a backseat to real-life challenges. Love isn’t about how it feels in the easy moments—it’s about the actions you take in the tough ones.

Relationships Are Not Always Easy.
There will be days when it feels like an uphill climb. Days filled with misunderstandings, fatigue, and stress. But that’s normal. Relationships are not supposed to be perfect; they’re supposed to be real. They require effort, communication, and resilience. The struggles don’t mean your relationship is broken—they mean it’s alive. Growth often comes from the challenges you face together, and it’s in those moments that your bond can strengthen in ways that smooth sailing never could.

The Spark Fades, But Real Love Burns Steady.
Many people mistake the fading of the initial spark as a sign that the relationship is over. We’re conditioned to chase excitement, to seek out the thrill of something new. But the truth is, the spark is temporary. It’s the foundation you build afterward that truly matters. Real love isn’t about constantly seeking fireworks—it’s about tending to a flame that warms and sustains you through life’s seasons. It’s not about chasing fleeting highs, but about creating a connection that endures.

Love Is Not Disposable.
In a culture that values convenience, it’s tempting to walk away when things get hard. But real love requires staying power. It’s about weathering the storms, not abandoning ship at the first sign of trouble. The beauty of love lies in the work—the commitment to grow together, to heal together, and to create something lasting. True love is built, not found. And the effort you invest is what makes it so meaningful.

If You Want Unconditional Love, Offer It First.
It’s easy to expect unconditional love from others, but are you offering it in return? If you want someone to stand by you in your worst moments, you must be willing to do the same. Love isn’t about perfection; it’s about grace. It’s about showing up for your partner when they’re at their lowest, being patient when they’re difficult, and loving them even when it’s not easy.

Be the Change Your Relationship Needs.
If you want a love that lasts, you need to lead with love. Real love is active—it’s not waiting for your partner to take the first step. It’s about making the effort, showing up, and setting the tone. By choosing love, even in the challenging moments, you create the space for your relationship to thrive.

Love When It’s Hard to Love.
The truest test of love is how you show up during the difficult times. Love isn’t just about the good days—it’s about being there when your partner feels lost, stressed, or vulnerable. It’s about offering patience when they’re irritable, compassion when they’re struggling, and support when they need it most. Real love doesn’t flinch in the face of imperfection. It embraces it, knowing that these moments are what build a love that lasts.

Real Love Grows Through Time and Effort.
It doesn’t fade—it transforms. It deepens through commitment, flourishes through resilience, and endures through every season of life. When the initial spark fades, what remains is the steady, enduring flame of a love that has weathered the storms and come out stronger.

Choose to love. Choose to stay. Choose to build the kind of love that isn’t swayed by convenience but grounded in real, unshakable commitment.
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©Coach Montas

31/12/2024

It’s not about having it all figured out.
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It’s about showing up for yourself, even in the smallest ways.
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Healing is messy, brave, and so worth it.
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It’s time we make it okay to not be okay.
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Wishing a Happy New Year to all my precious connections! 💙

09/12/2024

Did you know your baby begins learning about safety and survival even before birth?
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Yes, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) learns from experience, starting before birth and being influenced by prenatal exposure to factors like socioeconomic hardship, inadequate social support, anxiety, and depression, which affect the embryo’s ANS.
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After birth, through nurturing interactions between mother and baby, the baby’s ANS develops healthy regulation patterns.
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However, when parents are emotionally dysregulated, children develop survival-driven patterns, causing the ANS to withdraw from connection and resist change.
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Without mental health intervention, these patterns often persist into adulthood, leading to ongoing emotional and relational dysregulation.
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Thus, a legacy of a dysregulated autonomic system is passed down from one generation to the next.
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It’s time we recognize how our emotional well-being shapes the mental health of future generations, often without us even realizing it!

09/10/2024

01/09/2024

The quote by Khalil Gibran, "Between what is said and not meant, And what is meant and not said, Most love is lost," captures the delicate and often fragile nature of communication in relationships. It speaks to the misunderstandings and unspoken emotions that can create distance between people who care for each other. Often, words are spoken hastily, without the full weight of their meaning, leading to unintended consequences and hurt feelings. Conversely, the emotions and thoughts that are deeply felt but left unexpressed can create a void, a silence that echoes with what could have been. This quote serves as a reminder that the words we choose and the ones we withhold both carry immense power. In the context of love, where emotions are often heightened, the gap between intention and expression can lead to the erosion of affection and connection. The challenge, then, is to strive for clarity and honesty in our communication, to ensure that our words align with our true feelings, and to have the courage to express what truly matters before it is too late. Gibran's wisdom encourages us to be mindful of the delicate balance between speech and silence, understanding that both can either nurture or diminish the love we hold for one another.

Photo & Text: Collected