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Why did you choose to become a counsellor?
Curiosity was the initial spark that led me down this path. I found myself asking questions like: Why do people do what they do? What life experiences shape certain behaviors? What drives our feelings and thoughts? What does discovering oneself truly mean, and what does healing and restoration look like? As I explored these questions, I became increasingly aware of the incredible nature, capacities, and wisdom we possess. It became a process of finding meaning in my work, experiencing healing through connection, and recognising the importance of supportive relationships. Curiosity opened up a world of possibilities for me.
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What excites you about your work as a counsellor?
What excites me most about my work as a counsellor is the deep, collaborative relationships I get to build with each individual in the therapeutic space. It’s the process of getting to know someone and their stories, and then co-creating meaning together through shared discoveries. Ultimately, it’s getting to witness someone gradually come into themselves. The process of shared discovery and growth is what gets me going.
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What do you hope for your clients to experience after their first session with you?
My hope is that they feel truly heard and seen, and whatever they brought into the session was met with compassion. I also hope that, to some degree, they leave with a sense of being able to view their own stories through a similar lens of curiosity, compassion, and acceptance, recognising themselves as active agents of change in their own journey.
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What would you wish to tell a client who is thinking about seeking counselling?
Therapy can a big step, and it’s important that you feel safe in the process. You have the right to feel respected, heard, and supported, and it’s the therapist’s responsibility to create a space that is ethical, compassionate, and safe. Building trust with a therapist can take time, and it’s completely okay to give yourself the space to find the right fit.
Once you find that space, therapy can be a space that can hold so much for us, allowing you to explore the terrains of yourself with someone that truly holds this precious. Getting to know you, being responsible for you and caring for you can be difficult at times but it is important work that can bring in so much (clarity, healing, growth) not only for yourself but in your relationships.
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Describe the relationship that you would wish to build with your client in counselling.
I see this relationship as an extension of the supportive relationships in my own life. While I remain committed to the professionalism, ethics, and upholding safety and authenticity, my hope is that we can create a shared space where the full range of a relationship can unfold—one that also allows room for vulnerability, feedback, accountability, shared responsibility, and transparency.
To foster collaboration, I intentionally adopt a partnership-oriented approach, take a non-directive stance, engage with curiosity, and maintain an ongoing feedback loop throughout our work together.
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In your counselling work so far, what has been your greatest learning from your clients?
In my counselling work, one of my greatest learnings has been witnessing the transformative power of relationships; both with others and with oneself. It’s also been eye-opening to see how people continually respond, resist, adapt, and persevere, often without fully recognizing it in the moment. Sometimes, I see the work unfold naturally when people begin to understand and build this connection.
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What are some of your strengths as a counsellor that you value and appreciate?
My strengths as a counselor is my ability to hold space for the full range of emotions and humanness, which I’ve learned to walk along with curiosity, gentleness, acceptance and compassion. I am intentional about creating a space where all parts of ourselves can show up, even the painful and wounded parts.
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What are some of the things you like to do in your free time?
I have several hobbies, and sometimes it’s hard to keep track of them all. In my spare time, I enjoy pottery, knitting and sewing, reading, painting, and gardening. But on other days, I do the complete opposite—doing absolutely nothing and simply enjoying slow, lazy moments spent daydreaming, watching K-dramas and vlogs.
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What are the areas of concern you address in counselling? Do you work with specific populations?
I work with children, adolescents, and adults, addressing a broad range of concerns including trauma, anxiety, self-exploration, self-image, emotional regulation, relationship issues, and grief. I support individuals from all populations, including those experiencing chronic illness, as well as disabled and neurodivergent individuals (ADHD). Additionally, I engage in discussions about the intersection of mental health and spirituality, and cultural identity, helping clients navigate these crucial aspects as well.
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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?
The therapeutic approach I use emphasises the interconnectedness of mind, body, and emotions. It focuses on understanding ourselves and our systems, exploring our bodily experiences in relation to the socio-cultural-political context, the relationships and experiences we’re born into/interacting with. The approach centers on building connections and working with the internal processes that support survival, healing and growth as we navigate. Additionally, I incorporate strength-based approaches, where conversations are guided by a person’s expertise, values, and skills.
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How do you make your therapeutic practice a safe and affirmative space for queer and trans* folx?
In my work, I use inclusive language and remain mindful that my responsibility extends beyond this, creating space that honours and celebrates their identity, knowledge and experiences, while recognising their specific stressors in relation to harmful normative systems. To ensure I show up authentically, both personally and professionally, I am committed to ongoing education, engaging in conversations, reflecting on my own biases and privileges, and seeking supervision.
The Quote Rinsakchon Resonates With
You need to be a recipient of what you give, a recipient of compassion.
Kelly McGonigal
