Emotional Support during the Lock-down due to the Coronavirus Pandemic

I thought that in this time of uncertainty due to the Coronavirus pandemic, perhaps we could come together and support each other. I have scheduled two drop-in groups every week during the Lock – down period where we could meet on Zoom and chat about what we are going through. These are unstructured psychoeducation and support groups.

If you have mental health related questions or need some emotional support through this time, please feel free to sign up. The groups are free of charge. To keep it manageable, the total number of people for any group will be 10. Anyone above the age of 18 is welcome to join. You can also let friends/family who you think might benefit know about the groups.

Days:

Sunday – 5 pm – 6 30 pm (Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/vpcldOqqrD8rfmu1JeD0fFxC4SyyEcAF2A )

Monday – 10 am – 11 30 am (Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/vpwudOqrqTwivAKLHnSE-nr_9vU6sgszcg )

You can also choose to join me for the Emotional Wellbeing through Writing Workshop that I am offering for the first time online. More details can be found by clicking this link –  Himalayan Writing Retreat – Emotional Wellbeing Workshop Online

The following are links to you-tube videos on the Mental Health Channel Zen-Brain

Mental Health Warning Signs during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Managing Stress during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Stay safe, stay calm, and stay connected.

Welcome to my Practice – Online and In-Person

Worried, sad, angry, overwhelmed, confused, conflicted, stuck, hopeless, loosing control, misunderstood, abandoned, lonely, guilty, fearful, demotivated, restless, unhappy… These are all human emotions and experiences that we all go through at some point in our lives. Sometimes though these emotions bother us repeatedly, become an inescapable part of our lives negatively affecting our ability to work, study, or engage in fulfilling personal or professional relationships.
At times these emotions surface when we are going through a difficult phase at work, facing financial difficulties, illness, loss of a loved one, loss of a cherished relationship or a cherished dream. On the other hand, very unexpectedly, these emotions surface when we are going through a much awaited, “normal”, or welcomed transition, such as starting a new job, having a baby, getting married, children leaving for college, retirement – a happy event that nonetheless brings about a major change in our lives.
Psychotherapy is a process that can help individuals of all ages, couples as well as families going through emotionally difficult times cope better and live healthier, more fulfilling, happier lives. Psychotherapy also helps individuals diagnosed with a mental illness cope better, feel better and, in many cases, recover from the illness.
As a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, I work with people from a strenghs based perspective as I believe all of us are inherently resilient and have the ability to cope, survive and thrive despite the many challenges of life. From personal and professional experience I know that sometimes it is very difficult to find that inner resilience due to a lack of emotional support, overwhelming nature of current or past circumstances that have left an impact, experiencing traumatic situations or biologically based mental disorders, such as depression , anxiety or addictions of any kind.
My role as a psychotherapist is to help each person I work with find their strengths and sense of inner calm and to do so I often use cognitive behavioural techniques. However, I do not believe in following a single theoretical orientation and often use concepts, techniques and research findings from various schools of thought – finding a path that best suits my client’s needs. I do not use the term “patient” as training and experience has taught me that psychotherapy is a collaborative process and each person’s process of healing and growth is as unique as they are.
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Book Recommendations
Fiction: Wonder by P.J.Palacio (physical disability); Em and the big Hoom by Jerry Pinto (bipolar disorder); The curious incident of the dog in the night time by Mark Haddon (autism spectrum)

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A relationship goes through numerous phases during its life cycle, and it is obvious for it to have a few rough patches. However, the strength of a relationship is reflected in how the couples deal with those …

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is an evidence based practice which has developed over the years informed by theory, practice and research in the field of clinical psychology. Psychotherapy is practiced by trained professionals who hold at least a Masters or Doctoral degree in Psychology, preferably Clinical Psychology or Marriage and Family Therapy. It is informed by research in fields, such as, neurology and brain sciences, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology and various theoretical orientations and practices, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Psychodynamic theory and therapy, Client or Person Centred Therapy, Family Therapy, and so on. Most psychotherapists use a blend of these theories and practices along with knowledge gained from research in their work.

How does psychotherapy work?

Psychotherapy works by providing a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment so that a person can discuss their problems and issues in full confidentiality. Research shows that the effectiveness of psychotherapy is dependent on the relationship established between the therapist and the person seeking psychotherapy.

How long does treatment or psychothapy take?

There is no prescribed duration for psychotherapy. Some individuals and couples find that they only need a few sessions to sort things out while for others psychotherapy sessions may continue for years. Sometimes clients who have concluded therapy may decide to re-enter therapy after some months or years if their life situation changes or they find that they want to work on other issues/aspects of their life.

Are patient or client the same thing?

Patient is the term that has traditionally been used as psychotherapy developed as an outcome of psychiatrists (who are medical doctors), like Freud, talking to their patients in an effort to help them. It continues to be used in more medical settings, such as hospitals, or by more traditionally oriented psychotherapists. Many psychotherapists now prefer to use the term client as it more closely represents the non – hierarchical relationship that exists between a psychotherapist and the person he/she works with.

Can confidentiality ever be broken?

A psychotherapist is ethically, and in many countries, legally bound to maintain any information that a client shares with him/her confidential, unless given express permission by the client to share such information. However, a psychotherapist is required to break confidentiality if he/she feels that the client is suicidal or homicidal or is actively psychotic, that is, out of touch with reality and may therefore harm him/herself or others. Hence, a psychotherapist’s duty to protect human life overrides his/her duty to preserve confidentiality.  There may be some other situations, such as, providing psychotherapy to individuals in a judicial set up or working with minors, where the client may not enjoy full confidentiality. At the outset of therapy, a psychotherapist will explain confidentiality and it’s limits to the client.

What issues can one talk about with one’s therapist?

There are absolutely no rules about what information you can share or what issues you can talk about with your therapist. It is important though to check with your therapist if he/she has worked on the issues/challenges that you are facing, or if the therapist has enough knowledge and is comfortable working with you on these issues.