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Why did you choose to become a counsellor?
My journey towards becoming a professional counselor was a natural progression for me. As an undergraduate student of psychology, I was immediately captivated by the subject matter. As I delved deeper, I pursued a master’s degree, and that’s when I discovered my true passion. I realized that I could play a pivotal role as a facilitator in helping people build healthy emotional, mental, and physical lives. It dawned on me that mental health is just as crucial as physical health, and I decided to contribute in the best way I can.
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What excites you about your work as a counsellor?
The satisfaction of knowing that I have the ability and skills to build a safe space for individuals where they can tap on their inner resilience, find answers and be able to make sense of things. The biggest invaluable part of my profession is I get to be a part of their healing journey.
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What do you hope for your clients to experience after their first session with you?
I hope that my clients feel heard, validated and understand that their lived experiences matter. They should feel that they can trust me to come back and further invest in their mental health.
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What would you wish to tell a client who is thinking about seeking counselling?
*I have come to understand that there are times in our lives when seeking advice from friends, spouses, or family members may not help us with our specific situation. They may lack the capacity to hold space for us in the way that we need, or may be too invested in the outcome. As a therapist, I am trained to be objective and hold an unbiased space for you to reflect. I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment that enables you to explore your thoughts and feelings, identify patterns, and gain insights that can lead to positive change.
*. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of self awareness , courage and commitment to personal growth.
*Therapy is a wonderful option for anyone seeking clarity and insights into specific ways of navigating the world. Although the therapeutic process may be slow, it is worth the investment. Therapy can help you cope with life’s difficulties in healthier ways and develop more fulfilling relationships.
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Describe the relationship that you would wish to build with your client in counselling.
I wish to build a collaborative process through respect and therapeutic alliance focused on mutual trust established over time.
I believe that every individual has the answers they seek but they need a safe space that can be non judgmental which can help them work through their own thoughts and patterns. I accompany them in this exploration through my therapeutic skills.
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In your counselling work so far, what has been your greatest learning from your clients?
My learning as a Mental Health practitioner since the last 12 years has been one of awe and inspiration. We are at a brink of understanding that everything we may have believed and built around may not be the ultimate truth. We can and want to be able to rethink these narratives and rebuild the ones that can fit our own wellbeing .Therapy can be that one option which helps in navigating these narratives. When given a safe , trusted and a respected environment with active interest in one’s experiences human beings are capable of seeking answers and live an emotionally and mentally healthy life.
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What are some of your strengths as a counsellor that you value and appreciate?
As a therapist, I have always taken pride in my ability to create a space where my clients feel heard, validated and supported. There’s nothing quite like witnessing the transformation in a person when they feel seen and understood. I’ve honed my skills in asking the right questions that help my clients dig deeper and explore their thoughts and emotions in a safe environment.
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What are some of the things you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy reading books, getting some sort of physical movement during my day , planning travel and trying new places for coffee and food.
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What are the areas of concern you address in counselling? Do you work with specific populations?
I work across age groups with children, adolescents and adults below 45 years.
The areas I specialize in are dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, self esteem concerns, interpersonal conflicts, behavior management, parenting concerns, mood disorder, grief and loss.
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What is the therapeutic approach you use? How would you describe it to someone who wants to consult you for therapy?
As a psychotherapist, I believe in using an approach that is tailored to the individual’s unique needs. I use the form of therapy called “Talk Therapy” to explore patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be limiting. My therapeutic approach is client centered in that I believe my clients are the experts of their own lives. I work collaboratively with them to identify their goals and develop tools to achieve them. Additionally, I incorporate evidence-based techniques and interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT, REBT based on my clients’ needs and preferences. I also believe that the socio-cultural and political context is an important factor to consider when providing therapy. Our backgrounds, cultural heritage, social status, gender, and political environment all influence our experiences and perceptions. As a therapist, I strive to understand my clients’ experiences within their unique cultural context and work towards decolonizing our understanding of healing.
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How do you make your therapeutic practice a safe and affirmative space for queer and trans* folx?
As a therapist, my priority is to create a safe and affirmative space for queer and trans folks. While I believe that our skills as therapists should be sufficient to hold space for diverse human beings, I also recognize the structural and systematic unique challenges that these individuals face.
To ensure that my practice is inclusive, I am committed to working on my own biases, unlearning and relearning and improve my knowledge and understanding of these communities. I regularly engage in ongoing education and training. I also seek out resources and information from reputable sources and stay up to date on current research and best practices.
The Quote Namrata Resonates With
The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no one recipe for living that suits all cases.
Carl Jung.