I have always had the desire to help and work with people and have been intrigued to understand how people connect with others or why we make the choices that we do. Growing up, I also realised that mental wellbeing is a part of every thing we do but many of us live through difficult times and don’t have the vocabulary or the space to express ourselves or to seek help. I have also personally experienced the power of secure therapeutic relationships and wish the same for everyone. These interests and experiences compelled me to become a counsellor.

To see clients show up even on difficult days or after a tough session, willing to do the work to be better or feel better, is always inspiring. Stories of resilience, simple actions of hope and courage and moments of shared laughs & joys that I get to be part of, excite me & keep me going.

After the first session, I hope clients feel heard and trusted. I hope the space and the therapeutic relationship feels safe enough for them to bring in all their colours and emotions, as they are.

It may seem like a scary/confusing or unnecessary step, but if you’ve already thought of it, go for it! Change isn’t always comfortable but is important, and the right therapeutic fit can not only help you survive or grow, but also thrive.

I wish the relationship is one of compassion, that makes the client feel valued, capable and comfortable to be vulnerable. I also anticipate accountability for both, client & therapist - both of us have responsibilities that are discussed and to be followed. To maintain accountability, a client can share feedback or ask for what they need, while as therapist, I discuss challenges to following these responsibilities with the client.

The therapy space & relationship are like a microcosm of how a client lives in their everyday life. Things that feel big and scary outside, can be brought here, processed with time and change can start with small steps within the space that feels safe. A secure relationship allows for growth that otherwise feels impossible.

I am constantly learning from my clients and for my clients - through feedback, courses, supervision and reflecting on my own work. I use a lot of humour in my sessions as I bring in my authentic self, and I find that it helps to lighten a moment or step back and take a look at ourselves with some laughter, rather than being critical.

I love to dance, read, play with my cats, learn about animal welfare and binge-watch shows. I co-run a quiz collective with a friend called Team Q, which we started with the aim to make trivia & quizzing more accessible and fun.

I see people as inherently resilient and have a strengths-based approach to working on problems. I also have a systems-based lens, unpacking and identifying systemic (societal) factors that impact a person’s understanding of self & wellbeing. I follow a trauma-informed approach & I’m an Arts-Based-Therapy Practioner - where I use visual expression (writing/ art), movement and mindfulness to build self-care building connection between emotions and the body.

I have taken short courses & regularly read & follow prominent discourses to stay informed and build safe spaces for queer and trans folx. I try to follow an intersectional approach to explore aspects of privilege and oppression of one’s identity. I also offer a sliding scale to those identifying as queer or trans. I hope to offer a space that feels safe to express and explore oneself in the way they wish to and open to learning how I can better support an individual client or the community.