Hello my name is Divya. I am a Chennai based Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, with a Master’s degree from the University of Derby. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy(BACP) and adhere to their ethical framework. I also hold a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology. I am bilingual and I can offer therapy in English and Hindi/Urdu.
Ever since my teenage, I’ve had a profound interest in psychology and behaviour, more specifically in understanding the difference in perspectives amongst people that lead to a difference in their attitudes and responses. After my undergraduate degree, I decided to specialise in Psychotherapy and put this knowledge to use by facilitating people who may be struggling alone, simply due to lack of available treatment or stigma associated.
I went on and worked in a few charities and counselling centres in the UK where I provided short-term and long-term therapy to clients presenting with a plethora of issues from mild to severe mental ill health, bereavement, low self-esteem, domestic and sexual abuse, cultural conflict, eating disorders with comorbid depression, anxiety, self-harm, low self-esteem, etc. Living and practising in the UK for a few years also taught me the importance of cultural context in understanding people's experiences.
It has been an immensely fruitful and gratifying journey thus far and I intend for it to go on.
About Therapy:
Every experience is unique to the individual and so are their struggles. And often in our struggles we end up having a fractured relationship with ourselves – broken self-esteem, negative self-talk, lack of self-love, guilt etc. Our relationship with ourselves determines our ability to form relationships with the world. Offering kindness, compassion, forgiveness and understanding to ourselves at our worst times strengthens our sense of self, and also attunes us to empathise with others, thus fostering healthy relationships. One of the best ways to achieve this harmony within ourselves is through therapy.
Being an individual who’s strongly guided by meaning, I am driven to provide effective, empathetic, and non-judgmental care to my clients; helping them understand and embrace their struggles and working together to heal and grow from them. I am compassionate and empathetic nature with a true desire to try and help others so, no matter how big or small the issue is, I aim to create a safe space for anyone to come to me where we can work together to help find ways of recognising, processing, and changing emotions, thoughts, and behaviours where necessary.
My goal is to provide unconditional support in empowering my clients to discover and understand their own potentials and limitations. In essence, to help them find the harmony they seek with their selves.
The therapy that I will offer is integrative where I combine Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Attachment Theory, tailoring each session to your individual needs. I am very inclined towards Compassion-Focused Therapy and I may incorporate CFT concepts in my interventions as well. These approaches will enable us to explore how your history is impacting your present-day life. I will provide you a friendly, warm, non-judgemental and confidential space to explore your concerns and feel heard, thus facilitating a secure, trusting, therapeutic relationship.
Our sessions will involve some assessments and interventions that will be absolutely confidential and will aid us in understanding deep-rooted issues, underlying conflicts etc. These are again aimed for you to get a better insight of your strengths, weaknesses, potentials and flaws; thereby providing a blueprint in overcoming your difficulties. However, these can be customised if you need less intense therapy.
Either case, my role as your therapist will be to support you throughout your journey, every step of the way, whilst making sure you find comfort, compassion and clarity in our sessions.
My hope is to communicate and demonstrate the power of psychotherapy for you to feel empowered and confident to explore any issues or problems you are facing, but above all I would like to support you to see the options ahead and find beauty in life again.
