Embracing the essence of "Ubuntu" — the profound South African principle that encapsulates the idea "I am because we are" — my work is founded on values that prioritize respect for human dignity and compassion for others. I firmly believe that the core of the human experience rests on feeling accepted and heard by those in our midst.
Recognizing that we exist within a collective unit, the cornerstone of my work revolves around upholding respect for human dignity and fostering compassion. I understand that your individual experience is intricately woven with your culture, context, and background, shaping your identity and influencing your perception of the world.
Cultural sensitivity in therapy
Cultural sensitivity in therapy emphasizes the importance and understanding of your unique background and beliefs in a way that speaks to your race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and other elements that hold importance over one's identity. To incorporate cultural sensitivity into therapy means understanding and acknowledging differences in opinions, values and attitudes in order to best support you. Why is cultural sensitivity important in therapy? It shows a respect for diversity by acknowledging that people come from different backgrounds which brings it's own unique values, beliefs, and experiences. It enables effective communication by recognizing the cultural nuances in language, body language and communication styles. It also provides the opportunity to reduce stigma and misunderstanding. By addressing the cultural experiences that impact our experiences we're able promote acceptance within culturally diverse populations. Most importantly, it is empowering and validating to be understood and respected in one's cultural identity by another.
Intergenerational trauma
As we've come to learn, we do not enter the world as a tabula rasa (blank slate), we don't just inherit our genetics but also our families stories, narratives and worldviews. We carry with us our families legacies and experiences- the good and the bad. Intergenerational trauma is trauma that is passed from one generation to the next, through individuals or groups, within cultures and systems within society. We inherit beliefs about who we are, what we're meant to do and where we fit in. Its not always easy to identify some of these belief systems because they have become so ingrained in who we are, but it sometimes manifests in anxiety, depression, hypervigilance and maladaptive ways of coping. We are taught how to people please, to strive for perfectionism, to never rely on others, to be the fixers and to be hyper-independent. We often find these generational traumas hidden within what we call our culture. By fostering awareness of generational traumas we can understand behaviours in the context of experiences and can make a choice to respond differently.
About me
With a strong foundation in psychology, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my work. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and have further honed my skills with a Bachelors in Applied Psychology (Hons). Additionally, I hold a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) in Counselling Psychology, & a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology and Mental Health (MSc).
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). I continue to engage in extensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) keeping up with the latest developments in the field.
I engage in regular supervision, ensuring that I receive guidance, feedback, and support in my role as a therapist to best support you.