WELLDOING.ORG THERAPIST Q AND A
What attracted you to become a therapist?
I started studying counselling to really understand who I was, as I felt that I was more than the negative attributes that were created by a conditioned society. Why did I not fit in? What purpose I had in life?
I was working as a volunteer, before I decided to follow this career. I was part of a charity “Community Mums & Dads” in Thurrock, Essex. In this job role I was appreciated and valued, not only by the staff, but the service users.
I was making a difference not only to other parents, but to me, I started to realize that I had an “Identity”, I was already doing something amazing, which is not recognized as a job and I was doing it well: “I am a mum”, using skills such as accountant, nurse, teacher, cook, best friend…etc We used a lot of counsellor skills, so I was a little bit ready to understand confidentiality, the importance of active listening and how to take of my own well-being.
I got to see my strengths by doing this job role as a volunteer and I won the award of the best volunteer of the year in 2013 from the NELT. This boosted my confidence and I wanted to understand how to give the same good feeling, empowerment to other people who felt they did not fit, like the Ugly Duckling fairy tale. That why the name of my service is “Ugly Duckling Counselling”
Where did you train?
I started doing my level 2 in the Community Adult College in Grays, Thurrock, Essex. To continue with Level 3 and Diploma in Southessex College in Basildon & Southend, Essex. My student placement was with “Changing Pathways” part of Women’s Aid
What sort of people do you usually see?
Young Adults aged 16, men & women who are going changes in their life, suffering with Depression, Anxiety, self-harm, looking for direction and purpose, relationships difficulties, gender identification, BMI background, loss and grief & victims of Domestic Abuse.
What makes me unique is the fact that I can speak in four languages: Spanish, English, Hindi & Shindi, so I can work with clients that need therapy, but the language is a barrier.
What do you like about being a therapist?
Seeing the client grow, notice the change in their body language, looking and feeling confident.
I love what I do, because it is who I am. Be able to manage family life, friendships, me time and really being contented.
What is less pleasant?
When clients cancel or does not attends
How long you have been with welldoing.org and what you think of us?
Since it got launched, if I am not wrong late 2017. I like the fact that this company is run by therapists themselves, so they understand what it is to be a struggling therapist.
Always helpful and encouraging. Any time I need to contact them, they are responsive.
The price, the website which is easy to understand and access for the clients as much as the therapists, the diary and message system, the confidential information is protective, has his own Facebook community page, Calm App subscription included in the price and I really enjoy the weekly CPD newsletter sent.
I will be recommended to anyone.
Have you used the booking and payment system? And how do you find that?
No, I haven’t yet, looking forward tough
Have you joined the welldoing.org Therapist Community on Facebook? If so, how did you find it?
Absolutely fantastic
Do you ever suggest books or apps to clients?
Yes, I do, mostly “Headspace”, “Calm”, You tube in some videos, “Truity.com” test of the types of personality by Myers Briggs. Audiobooks or hard copy of “Man in searching meaning of life” By Vicktor Frankl
What you do for your own mental health?
I suffer from Anxiety and depression myself, so I need to manage it like the clients do, I have my supervision regularly, I write my journal, I use the techniques of CBT, breathing exercises, meditation, read, listen to audiobooks, walk and have good relation with my kids, partner and friends. I talk about my own mental health too, take my prescribed antidepressant tablets and attend personal counselling when needed.
You see clients in their homes, in the areas of Essex: Thurrock, Basildon, Laindon, Chelmsford, Benfleet.
I hire a room in Stanford-le-Hope, Thurrock Essex. What’s your consultation room like?
They are local areas, but I know them, so I feel more comfortable.
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What do you wish people knew about therapy?
It is for everyone, it is not because you have something wrong with you, or you are a “crazy or a weak person”.
It is more common and a real pain that can stop you from achieving happiness and feeling complete. Sometimes I think, it is like magic, that really works, even if it is scary.
It makes the world a bit more bearable, it is like physiotherapy, but for the brain and soul
What did you learn about yourself in therapy?
It is ok to be human; it is ok to be me, it is ok if I don’t understand everything, that I agree with the ethical principles and values of counselling. It a way of just been and how to look at challenges in a different perception.