Introducing Ayna (pronounced "I-na")

 Introduction: Attunement, meeting you where you are, and being present to your mind, body, and soul, as well as my own, is essential in a therapeutic relationship. Deep, meaningful conversations, coupled with empathy and the right questions, can facilitate awareness and self-reflection, contributing to a stronger sense of self.

My Approach: In our therapeutic relationship, I encourage client autonomy and transparency. I strive to neutralize any power imbalances, providing you with a safe space to unmask and be yourself, even if you are unsure who that is. There is no need for apologies for your imperfections, mind blanks, tangents, stims, meltdowns, or for zoning out while we work together. I got you. 

Our Journey: Our journey will be a ride, with ups and downs like any other relationship, but my aim is for you to feel held and safe throughout the process. There will be tears as we confront and process emotions, grief, and trauma together, but rest assured, there will also be laughter. I want our sessions to be a part of your self-care. I want you to walk away feeling intrigued and curious about yourself. I want you to feel understood, validated, and empowered, and will gently encourage greater self-awareness. I encourage you to do the same, if something doesn't sit right, please tell me, I too am human. 

Your Transformation: It is my hope that our time together leads you to a place of higher self-esteem, a broader perspective, ability to self reflect without being self critical. I hope you will learn to advocate for yourself when something doesn't feel right and challenge the status quo. You deserve to have your voice heard and your needs met. You also deserve to opt for a slower life without feeling shame about it.  Whose standards or conditions of worth are we trying to live up to? Why do we do this to ourselves? Life is a lot less stressful when there is true authenticity and self-acceptance.

My Experience and Transformation: My life has been a journey of diverse experiences and adversities, shaping me into an empathetic, compassionate, open-minded, adaptive, and insightful counselor. I have lived as an immigrant and an ex-pat, and I understand the feeling of not fitting in anywhere. I have a solid understanding of the dynamics of Asian families, particularly Indian families, and the cultural conflicts that can arise between generations. These experiences have not only changed me but also defined my counselling approach. I will let you speak your truth, and give you time to do it without silencing or shaming you. 

My Special Interests: I specialise in working with complex neurodivergent (ND) individuals (ADHD, Autism etc.) and its many  seemingly  unrelated comorbidities, which I have lived experience, including chronic pain/invisible illnesses such as (Fibromyalgia/ME/CFS), Thoracic Outlet syndrome, EDS/joint hypermobility,  Vestibular Migraines, PPPD, x and other complex conditions that are often tossed into the 'Too Hard' basket by the medical industry , often leading to what is known as  'Medical Gaslighting'. The damage that can be caused by Gaslighting on its own can be profound and soon I noticed an emerging pattern amongst my clients .

Antagonistic Relational Stress is an umbreall  includes emotional and psychological manipulation, which is actually quite common amongst our neurotype. Sometimes, we are even misjudged and accused of being the perpetrator, which of course led me down the research rabbit hole. :D

My purpose is to help ND/ or marginalized individuals feel more understood, supported, and accepted, which hopefully will help reduce patterns of self-blame and internalized shame. We have been vastly underrepresented and grossly misunderstood. I hope to help you find your voice, understand and regulate your emotions, communicate your needs, and draw boundaries, no longer afraid to advocate for yourself. I have witnessed this transformation in others and it is nothing short of mind-blowing.

Qualifications: I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling, a Masters in Communication and Media Studiesfrom Monash University, and a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration. I have also completed countless professional development courses in many areas, especially in ADHD and Autism, because naturally, it became my special interest and hyperfocus subject. I have also completed Level 1 of Beyond GP.

Fun Fact: I am well into my 20th year of professional DJing by night, and plan to incorporate my counselling practice with the use of music. I aim to offer music appreciation workshops/DJ workshops for Neurodivergent individuals to help build a sense of community, amongst other things. I hope it gives you the level of healing it has for me.

TLDR: If you're feeling frustrated, isolated, overwhelmed, confused, or misunderstood, I encourage you to reach out. I'm well-versed in the nuances of neurodivergence and how they may intersect with other medical issues. I can guide you on how to pace yourself, work with your chronic pain, navigate through sensory issues, and create recovery and prevention plans for Autistic or ADHD Burnout. During therapy, I can comprehensively assess you for ADHD and potentially connect you with a medical team for diagnosis and ongoing treatment. I understand how challenging the post-diagnosis grief process can be and can help you navigate through the potential restructuring of self that may occur. So, if you're seeking to understand yourself on a deeper level, learn new skills such as emotion regulation, widen your window of tolerance through tailored coping strategies, and harness your strengths, feel free to contact me through the Contact page. I invite you to benefit from my experience, hyperfocus skills, out-of-the-box thinking, and determination to find answers. If things could turn around for me, they may be able to change for you too. Thank you for reading, and props for making it this far!