Values

As an Acceptance and Commitment aligned therapist, one of the significant elements of my work is to have you identify your values and see how your present life and future goals align with the values you uphold for yourselves.

As trainee therapists we learnt that empathy, non-judgement and unconditional positive regard are the building blocks of a successful therapeutic partnership. Without the skills to wholly understand a person’s lived experience, learning to let go of judgement for the choices they make, and truly believing in the possibility of their best selves, a therapist’s training is incomplete.

For me to be able to help you identify your values and work towards them, it is imperative that I too be aware of and aligned with my values, not just in my life, but in my work with you as well.

Respect – I hold unwavering respect for every individual and the diverse backgrounds we all occupy, including our cultures, religious beliefs, sexual orientations and caste. I do not discriminate against any caste, religion or culture in my work, as I believe these differences are the blocks which may help us understand ourselves better, help us guide ourselves in decision-making and find community support.

Love and Kindness – I have experienced the healing power of unconditional love and kindness. A friendly, approachable stance at work makes the therapeutic relationship comfortable. But it is affection and concern that helps people look inwards and challenge themselves, without the fear of being judged. Love casts light on the shadows of shame we hold inside ourselves. When we are loved wholly, unconditionally, we can begin the work to be out most authentic selves.

Professional – The success of any working relationship requires commitment and dedication to the goal we are trying to achieve. Punctuality, honest communication, continuous education and improvement of my professional self, and ethical conduct are all values that guide how I conduct myself in my professional life.

Honesty and Integrity – An authentic life must be lived with honesty and integrity. For therapy to be productive and successful, not only must the client be honest to themselves about their thoughts, behaviours and actions, but must also have that honesty reflected back to them. Through honest reflection that is generous and kind, I am able to help my clients process their own truths without shame or judgement. Honesty challenges us to accept ourselves and our desires for our future and to live in line with our values.

Privacy and Confidentiality – Our therapeutic relationship is a safe space that respects every individual’s right to share their story with the assurance of privacy and confidentiality. We do not share any identifying information about our clients with anyone without the express written consent.

However, it is important to discuss the limits to confidentiality with us in our initial sessions with you. The bounds of privacy and confidentiality do not apply to risks of abuse and self-harm and on assessment may be breached to help advocate for your safety.