"Take full responsibility for your mental well-being—no one else can do it for you!"

My foray into the world of Psychotherapy was far from conventional, and the quote at the beginning encapsulates the essence of my story. It all started at a phase in my life when I was interacting with a lot of vulnerable children and people at different Government Shelter homes and NGOs. We aimed to bring them some moments of joy through fun, food and games. Which we were able to successfully do but it didn't feel meaningful enough. There was a deeper need for understanding the trauma, abuse and neglect that was so openly operating in society at large. 

Around the same time, I was introduced to a four-year Bachelor’s Degree program in Psychotherapy - IPSICC - International Psychotherapy School in Christian Culture, Denmark. I took the plunge, eager to equip myself with the knowledge and skills to make a more meaningful impact. I understood early on in the course that the effects of trauma, abuse and neglect aren't limited to just shelter homes. It spills all over humankind and is something that needs support and direction daily to heal.  Learning in a trauma-informed environment made it easier to see and understand things more holistically than from a narrowed-down pathological viewpoint. 

The extensive reading, the countless book reports, the hours of counselling, and the continuous quest for personal and professional growth gave me a unique edge. Being trained in a wide range of modalities like DBT, CBT, Narrative Therapy, Childhood Trauma and Neglect, Attachment Theory, Parts Work, Couples Therapy (Gottman Method), Motivational Interviewing etc., all provided a robust bag of tools and skills that I now use with my clients depending on their response and real-life application. What we today hear as modern-day mental health issues like anxiety, depression, addiction, overthinking etc., most often have their roots far deeper than we would like to acknowledge and accept. Through psychotherapy, a person's self-awareness can become their greatest strength and it also opens up the door to living in a more connected and integrated life as opposed to in a broken, fragmented and scattered version of oneself. 

This also meant that the training not only unveiled the world’s wounds but also uncovered those within myself. We were encouraged to seek therapy for our emotional wounds, a process that allowed me to heal emotional fractures I hadn’t even been aware of. I continue to take therapy for myself even as I provide therapy to others and I am also supervised by mentors, supervisors and peers to make sure I am on the right path fully supported and aptly equipped. 

Safe Place is a testament to this journey of “becoming.” It’s where clients and I mutually enrich our lives by unlearning unhelpful behaviour patterns and acquiring new coping mechanisms. This journey takes time, but it’s one we embark on together, offering the support needed for transformation.

Self-discovery and well-being are intrinsically linked. At Safe Place, we’re committed to helping you explore the depths of your mind, the complexities of your emotions, and the intricacies of your relationships. It’s a journey of healing, growth, and empowerment, and I look forward to being your guide along the way. Welcome to Safe Place, where your journey to self-discovery and well-being begins.