My APPROACH

I believe human beings feel most at home with themselves through an embodied connection to their Core Self or Essence (True Self). I understand human functioning and wellbeing as arising from the complex interplay between internal and external influences that either facilitate or interrupt this connection.

For children and adolescents, there is a specific emphasis on the significance of attachment, relationship and environment on brain/ nervous system development, as well as connection to & understanding of Self, others and the external world. The internalization of these influences and experiences in combination with internal factors (such as genetics and temperament), then forms the foundation of one’s physical, mental, emotional and developmental health and wellbeing, including the formation of core psychological wounds/ hurts and one’s associated personality structure. This, in turn, underpins the way we relate to ourselves, others and the world around us and determines our ways of coping, degrees of functioning and experiences of mood and distress.

I believe that the capacity to enter into safe, meaningful and compassionate relationship with oneself (including all parts) is the doorway to healing, self-discovery and wellbeing. My work aims to support this process through the restoration of embodied connection to one’s internal world, with an emphasis on tracking, sitting with and unfolding emerging processes within a field of safety and compassion. Whether it’s a challenge, disturbance or wound from the past or present, I aim to support you to meet, witness and integrate distressing, marginalized or less conscious experiences, emotions & parts of self through the power of their own wisdom, expression and worth.

The model of Inner and outer dynamics

The below models/images expand on eachother to depict the different layers of experience, influence and parts of self, through which we perceive, interpret and create our lives. It starts with the Core Self/ True Self, often hidden underneath layers of hurt, personality and protection, and expands out to encompass the emotional, mental, physical and relational spheres, where this hurt/ pain/ protection often manifests itself. It further provides a representation of how past hurt/ pain/ trauma and their associated wounded and protector parts, inform our perception, and our mental, emotional, physical and relational experiences, often blocking access to/ expression of our Core Self. In connection with an array of therapeutic modalities, this model intends to provide a conceptual map to aid healing and self-discovery, where we may support the gradual processing/ integration of core wounds/ pain (when safe & appropriate to do so), to allow a deeper connection to and expression of our Core Self.

Aims & Intentions

My work aims to facilitate a robust foundation for mental/emotional wellbeing by addressing issues at their root, while employing tools, strategies and interventions that support:

• Internal safety, connection & self-compassion;

• Greater awareness, integration & emotion processing;

• Aligned inner & outer change;

• Healthy coping & nervous system regulation;

• Healthy attachment & relational dynamics; as well as

• Greater self worth, meaning & purpose.

My goal is to support children, adolescents and adults to become integrated human beings who are meaningfully connected to themselves and the world around them.

Therapeutic Underpinnings

• Processwork/ Process-oriented Psychology: With roots in Jungian Psychology, Taoism, Nature and Physics, Process work is interested in following and unfolding ‘what is’, especially that which is less known or conscious. Therefore, we focus on exploring whatever naturally presents itself in the moment through multiple channels of experiential awareness, presence and expression. This can include emotion focused process facilitation through parts work, role-play, movement, somatic work and conflict work. This can also include trauma work to witness marginalized aspects/parts.

• Multiple Psychotherapy Modalities: Drawing on a wide range of inspiration from:

  -Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT),

  -Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT),

  -Interplay Family Therapy/ Play Therapy,

  -Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT),

  -Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy,

  -Schema Therapy (find out more here)

  -Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - EMDR (find out more here),

  -Suicide intervention skills & approaches (ASIST & S2H),

  -Multiple risk, psychometric and screening assessment tools.

• Meditative & Eco-Therapy Practices: Grounded in unconditional self-compassion, acceptance and awareness, meditative and eco-therapy practices work multidimensionally with the human - nature interconnection to facilitate meaningful awareness/presence, nervous system & emotion regulation, as well as deeper self-discovery and connection to nature/land/spirit/self.

• Interpersonal Neurobiology: Interpersonal neurobiology brings together all schools of modern scientific thought to provide a comprehensive understanding and roadmap of parenting and child development that emphasizes the role of attachment and relationship in shaping brain & nervous system development.