When people come to counselling, it is often because something in their life is not working well and they want to make a change. They may want to solve a particular problem, make a decision, or better understand their lives or themselves. Counselling or therapy is not about having the counsellor “solve your problems” or “fix you” but rather about working together with you to help you move toward your valued goals.

Counselling has been shown to be effective for a wide variety of challenges such as depression, anxiety, life transition, career directions, relationship issues, communication issues, grief and loss, chronic health conditions, panic disorders, OCD, pain management, insomnia, trauma, addiction etc. When counselling is effective, clients report benefits such as greater sense of well-being, more hopeful, more confident, more able to manage stress and anxiety, improved mood, more insights about self and life, increased life satisfaction and relief of various previously troubling issues in their personal life and relationships.

Counselling in general is safe, and it also involves some risks and discomfort. Making changes in your life is hard work — it may involve experiencing and dealing with uncomfortable feelings, trying out new ways of being; and feeling frustrated or impatient that change may not be as quick as one desires. Sometimes, seemingly desirable changes may bring with it additional, and possibly unforeseen difficulties (i.e., getting the job one desires may bring on the issue of work/life balance). You are dealing with your real life, so there is no absolute certainty or guarantee.

The main modalities I use are Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Person Centered therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness and Compassion Focused Therapy.

In therapy process, I also adopt therapeutic techniques that may benefit the clients the most from various therapeutic approaches such as Gestalt Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.

ACT is an evidence-based therapy model that focuses on psychological flexibility and having a valued engagement in life. It is effective in helping people with depression, anxiety, addiction issues, relationship issues, chronic health problems and many other issues. It transforms your life by helping you to be free from the control of your “monkey mind”, to see yourself in a totally different perspective and to take committed action toward a more fulfilling life.

According to ACT, having “negative thoughts” or feeling ashamed or inadequate doesn’t mean that you are “crazy” or “bad” — it simply means that you have a human mind.  ACT takes a refreshing stance about suffering and mental health. Instead of focusing on psychological pathology and reducing symptoms, it acknowledges that human suffering is the normal state of affairs in life.

ACT helps you to be unstuck and start living your valued life now! You no longer need to keep your life on hold because of your psychological symptoms or life challenges.