I went to therapy very early on in my life. What I experienced there is something that has stayed with me since then. It’s an experience that drove me to this profession. It was a moment of vulnerability. When session after session, digging one layer deeper into the self, I finally stood in front of most raw self. And I got to witness myself, as I am. The reason that experience shaped me so much, is because I was not alone. In my most intimate moment with myself, I had someone who walked me through that path. Someone who stayed with me in that moment. Above all, someone who made me feel safe, held, and seen. I knew then that I want to do the same for others as well.

Being a counsellor gives me the privilege to witness people’s lives first hand. And as someone who is constantly drawn to and amazed by the complexity and multitudinous of human experience, I am grateful to the opportunity I get to witness people.

Secondly, there is just so much to learn in this profession. Not just from books and papers, but more from people. People from such varied walks of lives. Therapy to me is vast repository of peoples’ knowledge. And it’s very exciting to have such close access to it.

That maybe they really don’t need to have any “serious” problem to be in therapy. That therapy can also be a holding space, a space for them to just be.

I always start with clarifying any doubts they may have about therapy. Misconceptions, reservations, anything that is holding them back from at least trying. I make the process of therapy as transparent as I can, what it means to be in therapy, what they can expect from the space, and from me.

I wish to break down the power hierarchy so inherent to the client-therapist relationship, as much as I can. I wish to be authentic, genuine, and above all I wish to be myself in the relationship, while also continuing to play the role of a professional.

I do not show up as an expert but rather as a collaborator in therapy. By sharing power in this relationships, where I can stand as close I can to my clients, I feel I create deeper and more authentic relationships.

Honestly, there have been so many. One of the most rewarding part of being a therapist is having the opportunity to constantly learn from people. To have a close access to such vast range of lived experiences.

The greatest learning in my experience so far has to be that humans are an extremely complicated bunch. I am always prepared to be surprised.

I think my biggest strength has to be curiosity. I am drawn to people’s stories, always paying close attention to details. I always like to know more, without any judgements or remarks. This helps me a lot in knowing, exploring, and understanding client’s life stories more deeply.

Another quality that works favourably in my work is my willingness to show up as a person, as much as a professional. I hate the unnecessary walls that traditional therapy creates between clients and therapists. So I try to bring these walls down as much I can, respecting mine and my clients’ boundaries.

I like to read, listen to lots of music, walk mindlessly around my neighbourhood, and chill at nearby park.

My approach is all about co-creating a safe space with clients. I feel therapy is more about existing in a safe space than just a simple listening and talking activity. This is the space where people can feel comfortable enough to explore their life’s stories more deeply. My therapeutic approach is less about finding solutions and more about understanding problems better. My purpose with therapy is to support people in gaining greater control over their lives.

Continuing to assume my non-expert position, I let clients have the greater space. Clients’ lived experiences become more valuable in the space. Acting more as an ally than as an expert.