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Why did you choose to become a counsellor?
Becoming a Psychologist is not just a career choice for me, but a calling rooted in curiosity to explore diverse human experiences including mine with openness. My own and significant others’ mental health journeys continued to fuel my passion and dedication towards this field. Knowing the impact this profession has to offer on different levels from self to people you get to work with in therapy and on community level as well has been the greatest driving force to be a Psychologist.
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What excites you about your work as a counsellor?
What excites me about counseling is the privilege of witnessing diverse human experiences and journeys. It’s an honor to be trusted with someone’s story and to walk alongside them through their challenges and growth. Each person brings a unique perspective and set of experiences to the table, opening doors for insights not only into the lives of others but also into myself. Together exploring the intricacies of human experiences layer by layer - at times surprising, at times unsettling, at times relieving, excites me the most.
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What do you hope for your clients to experience after their first session with you?
After their first session, I hope my clients feel heard, understood, and supported in a safe environment. First session could be seen as a foundational block to begin the trusted therapeutic relationship that offers openness, genuineness, transparency and authenticity. Their hopes from therapy and goals in therapy can be understood to further collaboratively work on them.
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What would you wish to tell a client who is thinking about seeking counselling?
When embarking on therapy, it’s understandable that sharing deeply personal experiences with a stranger can be tough. It takes immense courage to take that first step towards seeking support. I want you to know that while it’s not easy, you’re entering a space that is safe, non-judgmental, and supportive. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and understand yourself on a deeper level, fostering a stronger relationship with yourself. It’s important to recognize that therapy is not a linear process. There may be times when progress feels slow or even non-existent, but know that this is normal and part of the journey.
You can imagine a therapy space as a beautiful island, surrounded by calm seas and lush forests. Yet, within this paradise, there are hidden caves and undiscovered trails that might seem daunting at first. But, for you have a knowledgeable guide to accompany you on this exploration journey. Together, you’ll uncover not just the hidden challenges, but also the magnificent strengths and treasures that lie within. There will be times where you will feel discomforted and it may not always be a pleasant experience. However, throughout the process you will learn to cope and build more and more resources for yourself. This is your safe space, where you set the pace and choose the paths to explore. With each step, you’ll discover more about yourself and celebrate the unique wonders of your inner landscape.
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Describe the relationship that you would wish to build with your client in counselling.
The relationship I aim to cultivate with my clients is akin to that of trusted collaborators embarking on a shared journey. It’s a partnership built on the pillars of trust, transparency, authenticity, and non judgementality. Just like two explorers mapping out uncharted territories, we’ll navigate through your experiences and emotions together. Your input and feedback will be not just valued, but integral to our progress. It’s a genuine relationship founded on mutual respect and shared goals. Think of it as a dance where we move in sync, each step guided by our shared values and commitment to your well-being.
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In your counselling work so far, what has been your greatest learning from your clients?
A story about a problem takes shape in contrast to some non-problematic experience. Looking at the background on which the problem is residing gives Insight into individuals’ values, commitments, and hope.
No one is a passive recipient of trauma. We all continue to resist the impact of trauma in our capacity and our ways.
Judging our unhelpful behavioral or mental patterns instantly may not be a good idea because these patterns generally have a story to tell about their existence and purpose. Exploring these implicit stories compassionately actually facilitates change.
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What are some of your strengths as a counsellor that you value and appreciate?
Being an authentic and genuine self as a therapist has been the biggest strength. Taking the curious stance with a decentralised yet influential position during the conversation allows me to explore nuances in clients narrative with greater openness. The understanding and insights that I could build about my own experiences through my personal reflective journey has always supported me as a therapist while uncovering the unique experiences of my clients.
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What are some of the things you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, you can catch me strumming away on my ukulele, trying to not play songs in the most perfect manner but just for my enjoyment. I also enjoy going for walks to pretend to be health conscious. Also, I’m a pro at scrolling through Instagram reels wondering how much more it can get relatable and laughing on my own tragedies. Oh, let’s not forget my special skill: overthinking about how to stop overthinking.
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What are the areas of concern you address in counselling? Do you work with specific populations?
I work with young and middle aged adults experiencing concerns like stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self-image issues, trauma, loss and grief, work-life concerns, academic concerns, existential crisis, self harm and suicidal ideations.
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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?
I use an eclectic approach which means, i integrate techniques and principles from multiple modalities based on clients’ needs and circumstances. I draw from different therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Existential Therapy etc. Alongside, I hold trauma informed, queer affirmative, disability affirmative and Systemic lens in my practice as well. In a nutshell, these different approaches can assist in the therapeutic journey by facilitating conversations about our emotions, mental & behavioral patterns, underlying needs, hopes and values. The process can help to understand and accept our internal and external experiences more mindfully and can open possibilities of change through taking charge of our lives. The process will assist in deconstructing problematic narratives and rewriting preferred and empowering stories that align with your preferred identities and goals.
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How do you make your therapeutic practice a safe and affirmative space for queer and trans* folx?
In my therapeutic practice, I create a safe and affirmative space for queer and transgender individuals by fostering an environment of respect, understanding, and acceptance. I prioritize listening to their experiences without judgment, using language that affirms their identities, and staying informed about LGBTQ+ issues. I also openly acknowledge any gaps in my understanding and actively seek to learn and grow from their perspectives. My goal is to provide a supportive and validating space where clients feel empowered to explore their identities and experiences freely.
The Quote Nidhi Resonates With
We are all authors of our own lives, but we sometimes forget that we have the power to edit and rewrite our stories.
David Epston