Counseling and Teaching Philosophy
I began my professional career as a teacher. As a child, my favourite novel was Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery and wanted to emulate the protagonist, Anne Shirley. I was inspired by her to become a teacher. However, during my time as a teacher I found that so many students encounter personal and societal challenges which prevent them from being able to succeed academically. I decided to switch careers and become a counselor because I found that supporting students individually was what I truly enjoyed about working in the field of education.
My counseling and teaching philosophy have both been heavily influenced by my identity as a Chinese Canadian person and my practice of Chinese Wushu/Kungfu. I deeply believe in using mindful movements and breathing techniques to move energy around and through the body. I integrate many Chinese philosophy concepts into my counseling practice such as Daoism (similar to Dialectical Behavioural Therapy), balancing Yin and Yang energies, and identifying where emotions are felt in the body, because the mind and the body are part of a whole person.
Speaking of connecting the mind and body, I strive to work with a trauma-informed lens. I believe that is imperative to recognize the effects that stress and adverse life events can have not only on the mind but also on the body. In practice, this means that my methods may include gestalt therapies where you participate in experiential techniques such as role play, movement exercises, guided imagery meditation, or somatic experiencing to help increase your awareness of your internal state. The goal is to provide you with a safe space to bring your feelings in and explore them without any fear of judgment. This can then lead to a place where healing can begin.
My counseling and teaching philosophy have both been heavily influenced by my identity as a Chinese Canadian person and my practice of Chinese Wushu/Kungfu. I deeply believe in using mindful movements and breathing techniques to move energy around and through the body. I integrate many Chinese philosophy concepts into my counseling practice such as Daoism (similar to Dialectical Behavioural Therapy), balancing Yin and Yang energies, and identifying where emotions are felt in the body, because the mind and the body are part of a whole person.
Speaking of connecting the mind and body, I strive to work with a trauma-informed lens. I believe that is imperative to recognize the effects that stress and adverse life events can have not only on the mind but also on the body. In practice, this means that my methods may include gestalt therapies where you participate in experiential techniques such as role play, movement exercises, guided imagery meditation, or somatic experiencing to help increase your awareness of your internal state. The goal is to provide you with a safe space to bring your feelings in and explore them without any fear of judgment. This can then lead to a place where healing can begin.
My 4 C's of My Core Counselling Values:
|
|
|
|
|
Compassion
|
Calmness
|
Cross-cultural understanding
|
Collaboration
|
"Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'." - Victor E. Frankl