Hello Vini

What led you to choose a career in psychology and mental health? 

I have always been interested in why people think the way they do and do the things they do. However, it was a comment made by a family member about me “being a good listener” when I was younger that made me look into the path of Psychology! Since I began my psychology journey, my interest in the area is strongly aligned with providing a safe space for people who aren’t able to find this in their lives and fighting the stigma around mental health in South Asian communities.

 

 

What’s something you wish more people understood about mental health in South Asian and multicultural communities?

I wish more people understood that trauma can look extremely different from person to person and impact them in more ways that they realise, especially as they enter adolescence/early adulthood. Self-awareness and talking about your emotions are skills imperative to maintaining fulfilling relationships whilst protecting your self-worth.

 

 

What does “progress” look like to you, even in tiny moments when working with clients?

“Progress” can be such a subjective term and can, in its most stereotypical sense, mean a client reaching their therapy goals and feeling more equipped to handle life than when they first walked into my therapy room. However, “progress” for my clients often looks like having a young person feel comfortable enough to treat the therapy room as their own familiar space or vent about something their friend said to them. These, to me, are signs of safety, belonging, and connection, and are some of the biggest predictors of therapeutic success.

 

What are your areas of expertise and is there anything else you want to branch out into? 

My areas of interest include anxiety, neurodivergence, internalised racism, and identity-exploration. I would love to specialise in more schema-focused work to support my current knowledge around identity development and the impacts of parental relationships on developing childrens’ self-esteem and core beliefs.

 

Something Fun! 

If you could design your perfect “mental health day/treat yourself day” what would it include?

My perfect “treat yourself” day would include baking a new recipe, engaging in a creative activity, cuddling my cat, or seeing a close friend.