I chose to become a counsellor because I was always curious about human behaviour. How so many factors and experiences contribute to our thoughts and behaviours, the complexity that lay behind what on the surface seems like a very simple response to a situation. Through personal experience of needing support when I was in high school and not having access to it due to the lack of mental health professionals in the city, I realised that this might be the career path for me. As I got to know more about the work that counsellors do, I became more certain that this is the role that I want to step into.

What excites me about the role is to be a witness to someone else’s story. Being trusted enough that they feel safe opening up, seeing people who decide to show up for themselves, to put in the effort and work that therapy demands because they know they deserve a space to feel seen, to feel heard. Everyone has a different journey and to be a witness to that journey, however long or short my role may be, is a privilege.

I hope that at the end of the first session they feel heard and supported. That any questions that they came in with about therapy are answered. There is clarity on what working together can look like. Especially for those who reach out for the first time, therapy can seem daunting, so I hope that they leave feeling more comfortable than at the beginning of the session.

If you’re thinking about therapy but aren’t sure, ask questions. Talk to a counsellor or someone who has been in therapy. Get answers to the questions that make you feel hesitant. I think it’s also important for them to know that it’s up to the client to start/stop/take a break from therapy; they have autonomy over their goals. Book just one session and see how you feel after it.

If you’re wondering what therapy is like, I like to see it like a software update for your mind. Similar to regular updates for your phone. These updates sometimes help your phone perform better, add new features, or work through any problems that have come up. These updates don’t always need a ‘problem’ to solve; sometimes it’s also just fixing things in the background that we don’t even realise. That’s how I view therapy; there doesn’t have to be a ‘problem’ for someone to reach out for support, which is what people broadly think. It can also just be about having a space to work on personal goals and learn more about ourselves while also working through anything that does come up for us.

The kind of relationship I wish to build with clients is that of openness and trust. At the beginning of therapy together, while we are still getting to know each other, I encourage clients to be open with me about how therapy is going for them. I am open to feedback and suggestions that they might have as long as they fall within the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship. This allows me to work towards making sure your sessions are adapted to your individuality and align with my client-centred approach in therapy.

The greatest learning from clients has been that there is no individual who is separate from the experiences and concerns they bring into the room or what they discover about themselves in therapy. That we can always heal, change and grow regardless of where we are in life and what concerns we bring to therapy. Humans have more strength and resilience than we think we do, and sometimes we don’t realise that until there is someone to witness that.

I am a very curious person; I have questions about everything, and I think that helps me as a counsellor as it makes me more open to understanding the different perspectives that clients bring in. It helps me expand my perspectives through the experiences of others. I also think having lived in different countries at different stages of my life has given me a unique perspective about life and individuality.

In my free time I have recently gotten into more creative hobbies such as doing small paintings or making something with clay. I also like to cook or bake something when the mood strikes. The one constant is that no matter what I’m doing, my music is always going to playing and I’m singing along. I also enjoy meeting up with my friends when possible or winding down by rewatching Friends, and Brooklyn 99 if I can’t find a rom-com or Disney movie that catches my eye.

I primarily use a person-centred approach. This means that the core of all the work that I do is centred around a pace that feels comfortable for the client, whether it’s about the goals or concerns that the client wants to talk about in sessions, or whether a client does not want to talk about something at a particular time. The idea of a person-centred approach is based on the client knowing what is best for them and the therapist understanding the client’s life from their perspective. So, whether they are ready or not to deep dive into an aspect of their life is their call to take. My role as a therapist is to be supportive, someone who walks alongside you, witnessing what you’re ready to share.

I also draw from other modalities when I feel like it will be helpful or beneficial to our work together and always approach all clients from a queer-affirmative and trauma-informed and systemic lens, which helps me understand each client and the individuality that they and their experiences bring into the space.

I use gender-neutral terms for clients unless clients have specified their preferences, the same for any partners they may mention. I read/watch content about lived experiences of queer individuals, as well as academic content and content for professional training and development. I understand that every queer person’s journey can be very different and explore with curiosity and compassion while ensuring safety and that we are going forward at a pace which does not make the client feel pressured in any way.