My Core Values
1 - Growth
“When we are no longer able to change a situation-we are challenged to change ourselves.”
- Viktor E. Frankl
Whether growth stems from a physical, intellectual, social, spiritual or emotional source, I believe each challenge is essential to one’s over all sense of well-being. Stagnancy breeds discontent. Growth and self-awareness go hand in hand. The greater our self awareness, the more in touch we become with our thoughts and emotions, strengths and limitations.
I believe cultivating self-awareness through growth opportunities is a life-long pursuit. For example, I regularly attend professional and personal development workshops, as well as participate in peer support and consultation meetings with senior clinical supervisors. This not only informs my practice and keeps me accountable to ethical standards, it allows me to support your aspirations with best practice tools.
2 - Adventure
“To me adventure has always been the connections and bonds you create with people when you’re there. And you can have that anywhere.”
- Bear Grylls, Explorer
From a young age, I got just as excited by the plane, train or car ride to new vistas as by the destination itself. Through resourcefulness and volunteer opportunities, I have had the chance to climb volcanoes, ride camels through the dessert and trek through jungles. While foreign lands can be exciting in their own right; true pleasure comes from the people you meet, the stories they impart and the understanding that our differences enrich our world. This outlook guides my practice, as I work with individuals from all walks of life including those of various sexual orientations, gender identification, and culturally diverse backgrounds.
3 - Adaptability
“A lot of people talk about mental strength, but its more about mental skills and adaptability than anything else. That’s what gets you through tough times.”
- Kumar Sangakkara
Unexpected and sometimes unwelcome life events happen to all of us, challenging our ability to cope as we try to regain equilibrium. Death, job loss, conflict, the dissolution of a relationship or even the beginning of a new one forces us to adjust accordingly. Adapting to new circumstances despite feelings of helplessness or grief is based on our resiliency. Fortunately, this can be learned and even improved upon over time.
When it comes to addressing life transitions, I embrace a ‘no-one-size-fits-all’ approach. By collaborating with clients, drawing from a variety of techniques and respecting their personal pace, I have successfully created a partnership to help see them through hardship.
4 - Wellness
“Eliminating the things you love is not wellness. Wellness feeds your soul and makes you feel good”
- Iman
Bike riding, hiking, yoga and cooking up ethnic delicacies are some of the things I enjoy doing when not in the office. Staying fit and healthy allows me to maintain my commitment to my clients, my family and my own sense of empowerment. I see the pursuit of mental health and physical health as equally important. You don’t have to be an athlete to reap the benefit of exercise: deep breathing, a walk around the block, connecting with an old friend, or simply singing in the shower are just as beneficial for the mind and spirit and can foster hope. This means I like to offer a holistic view of your wellness in times of distress, so I can support your recovery in a more complete way.
5 - Commitment
“When you make a commitment, you build hope. When you keep it, you build trust.”
- John C. Maxwell
Commitment comes in many forms. We can commit to an ideology, family, friends, schooling, or a profession. However, being committed to yourself is invaluable and often reduces disappointment, fear and anxiety when our expectations are not met. How this shows up in my work is by supporting you to maintain your commitment to self which is grounded in the capacity to uphold personal boundaries despite the demands of life. Helping you to prioritize your values - which can shift over time- is an essential path to increased happiness.
