To me, therapy work is about breaking cycles, and supporting people in an increasingly individualistic world where communities find it “inconvenient” or “irrational” for persons to experience mental health concerns, and are unable to provide adequate support.

There is something very fulfilling about holding space and offering understanding and compassion to someone, when you know that is what younger versions of you needed. I have only recently started viewing sensitivity and softness as strengths, and this is a profession that allows me to apply those qualities for a greater purpose.

Connection. The privilege to authentically relate to a person and witness them in all their humanness. To put aside any notions of “good and bad” and to hold space for all their parts.

A sense of safety and a feeling that their therapist is a real person with genuine concern for their well-being. The assurance that their therapist is genuinely curious to hear and honor their story. For them to know that the promise of the therapeutic space is real after all.

1)Feel free to ask questions and give me feedback; especially about my approach, the process of therapy, and how you feel in our relationship. I will be receptive, I won’t take it personally and it could actually drive the work we do together.

2) I will not be giving you advice but it’s never because I don’t wish to help! I see you as the expert on your life, and it would be obnoxious of me to try to make your decisions for you. However, I will always be open to exploring your many options, offer reflections and hold space for any feelings that come up.

3) Our increasingly capitalistic world places a lot of emphasis on speed and outcomes; as a byproduct of this even therapy is often seen as a “short term intervention” to “correct your thoughts”- but really the therapeutic alliance can be so much more personal and meaningful. I can’t impose a timeline to your well-being journey, but I can strive to build a safe space for you and facilitate the consistent work needed towards reaching your therapeutic goals.

I place a lot of importance on authenticity in the therapeutic relationship; because what is therapy but the act of revealing oneself and to be seen? However, I understand trust and comfort precede authenticity - so I keep a curious stance and consistently check-in with my client to see how they are feeling in the relationship.

I ask clarifying questions and let my client decide what is the most pressing concern to work on for them. At the same time, I ensure I am asking relevant questions, introducing interventions, and occasionally offering a challenge - to allow for growth and reflection.

I am also very mindful of how power can play out in therapist-client relationships - so I ensure my mannerisms and communications convey that we are equals.

Their ability to turn insight into real change.
I’ve been awestruck by their intentionality in taking action; often the results even leaving me convinced, “wow therapy is really working!”.
The best therapy work happens outside of therapy- and my clients’ narratives are my anecdotal evidence for that.

I remain authentic with clients, and in my experience it helps them show up authentically with me as well. I have never treated therapy as a space to please and pacify someone- I must ask the difficult questions sometimes and I don’t hold back from doing so.
Of course, this is never done at the expense of the safety in the relationship - only when my client is ready for it, with utmost respect for their pace and space.

I do my homework and remain intentional. I allow for flexibility, but I am regular with supervision, readings, note-making and planning for sessions. I keep my clients in mind even outside of that one hour I have with them. I believe that when someone gives you their time and trusts you with their story, it is to be respected and honored.

Reading, running, chatting with friends and travelling :)

I adopt an emotion-focused lens -
the aim is to support you with approaching and processing painful emotions connected to life experiences, with curiosity and compassion, to better understand the unmet needs that lie underneath those emotions.
I believe doing this work facilitates emotional transformation and makes room for increased compassion for oneself - and for a greater sense of agency and empowerment to emerge.

However, it’s never one size fits all. Each client is different and would require a different therapy. Hence, I remain informed about most therapeutic approaches - and introduce interventions and concepts based on each clients’ unique needs.

I am mindful of asking and stating pronouns. I am clear on my stance and communicate it directly when needed - I ensure it is explicitly stated in all my public profiles.
I remain aware of my status as an ally and the privilege attached to it.
I refrain from making any assumptions or generalizations about someone’s lived experience. While it may be important to explore social identities - personal identities and unique narratives are to be respected and understood as well.
Lastly, I remain political even in my therapist role- I keep myself aware of the larger social context and don’t refrain from commenting on systemic failures and the unfairness experienced.