Therapy
Many clients come and say “it happened in the past, what will change it?” Nothing will change the past, but voicing feelings and emotions authentically in a safe space and acknowledging that the past has shaped your behaviour and relationships is freeing. It is incredibly powerful in empowering you to move forward. Moving you forward to be the person you want to be, to build the relationships you want to have, to let go of the fear, hurt or grief that is holding you back.
There is a thin and fluid line between counseling and therapy.
For some there might be a clinical diagnosis that they are aware of and therapy is the additional support they need.
For others it might start with a present day concern, such as feeling stressed or sad, that they seek counseling for but as the process moves forward might find that they have deeper emotional trauma or grief that needs further exploration and work.
How much and how deeply a client wants to delve into is a choice they make.
Who do I work with?
I work with a diverse population but my expertise is with teenagers and young adults.
This group is particularly vulnerable to intergenerational trauma, to negative influences of technology and media, to body image issues, to confusions with gender identity and sexuality, just to name a few.
It is also a time when there are huge physiological and emotional changes taking place and making appropriate choices is hard. It is often a time when people feel unseen and unheard and that is when they are most in need of support.
Here are some themes that I work through with clients:
- Trauma
- Grief
- Abuse and bullying
- Anxiety
- Self harm
- Bulimia and anorexia
- Depression
- Bipolarity
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Adjustment disorders
“Your history’s not going to go away; it isn’t the same thing as dirt on the floor or paint peeling off the walls; it’s not going to be solved in that way.
It’s more like learning how to carry it, to contact it, to see it.”
Steven Hayes
You may or may not have a diagnosed condition, you may not even know what it is you are looking for in terms of support. I encourage you to come and have a conversation and then make an informed decision of what you need.
Are you ready?
How does it work?
STEP 1 - Book a complimentary discovery call
When you feel you are ready, get in touch to book a discovery call. I will email you with 3 time slots and you can choose the one that best suits you. These sessions are typically 20-30 minutes, and take place online over Zoom.
STEP 2 - MAKE THE COMMITMENT
If there is a connection, I share an agreement outlining details of how we will work together.. Payment is typically upfront and there is some paperwork to outline the details of your program.
STEP 3 - THE JOURNEY BEGINS
We typically meet every one to two weeks, either in person or on zoom. I start with a cycle of 3 sessions and then carry out a progress review session. Should we carry on working together, we will keep the same 3+1 cycle.
The journey is never linear, and I will always encourage you to trust the process and be as open as you can and you will see shifts in your mindset, perspective and your level of engagement with life.
This is your sign to take positive action today.
Testimonial
“Radhika helped me process a lot of pent up anger, disappointments and regret. She also helped me identify my strengths and is helping me slowly inch towards my true identity. For me the journey has just begun. I also realised that I have the power of choice.”
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions. If I can help further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and I would be happy to answer any other questions you have.
Counseling and therapy both are “talk” therapy. Through a structured dialogue process we will try and resolve concerns that might be causing challenges for you. Counseling usually tends to focus on a specific issue or concern such as stress management or addiction, while therapy addresses deeper thought patterns and behavior such as I don’t feel I am good enough or I am incapable of love.
However, there is a lot of overlap between counseling and therapy and in the process of exploring concerns one might need to shift between the two. Therapy is also for those who might have a clinical diagnosis such as – bipolarity, depression and is used in conjunction with accessing a psychiatrist.
The relationship between a coach or therapist and their client is one of trust. You have to be comfortable to share your thoughts, experiences and behaviors with me. It is a process that takes some time, but our discovery session should give you an initial “gut feeling” whether you would be comfortable working with me. If you feel you might be better suited to someone else, there is absolutely no obligation to initiate sessions together. Book your discovery session through the contact form.
Change is always frightening even if we know that in the long run it is what we need. While awareness with regard to mental wellness has increased it is not without stigma. Many also continue to associate it with weakness. This is far from the truth.
Taking charge of your own mental wellness is an act of self love and being brave. It is about advocating for yourself. I hope during our discovery session to alleviate some of this nervousness but keep in mind addressing your concerns or challenges is a choice you make for yourself and for your loved ones.
Absolutely. Coaching, counseling and therapy is not an instant fix. It requires time, trust and commitment. That is why there is a recommendation for a minimum number of sessions.
However if it is not working for you, you may terminate sessions.
Yes. The only time confidentiality is not adhered to, is if I feel you might cause harm to self
or others. In which case your emergency contact will be notified. For minor clients (below 18 years of age) confidentiality of conversations is maintained. However a brief report on progress is discussed with parents/guardians periodically.
The primary language for our therapy sessions will be English. However, I do speak Hindi and Urdu.
My training addresses the issue of multiculturalism and the context of different religions. But more so my personal experience of living in a number of different countries and working with a wide variety of people, helps me even more. I strongly believe and have been told by a number of clients that my understanding of how culture, place and/or religion affects an individual is my strength as a coach, counselor and therapist.