conversations
therapeutic counselling services facilitated by mental health professionals, trained in strengths based, dialogic approaches.
artwork by yuvashree haridoss, lived experience expert
we offer therapeutic counselling services for adolescents, adults & the elderly, facilitated by mental health professionals, trained in strengths based, dialogic approaches.
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we call them conversations.
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we strive to create an enabling, safe, non-judgemental & accepting space, embedded in principles of compassion, empathy & trust. our approach is eclectic, holistic, participatory & collaboratively led by the therapist and client. our conversations are directed towards better managing mental health concerns & towards enhancing overall wellbeing for
individuals - our approach is systemic & we work with individual clients in tandem with their social network & ecosystem.
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groups - we also offer support through group interventions. groups have the power to unify experiences & narrative. they provide a safe space to strengthen critical life skills & enable individuals to support each other.
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some of the many concerns that we tackle and work through are:
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relationships
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workplace challenges
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challenging behavioural patterns
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critical life transitions (eg - separation, loss &/or grief)
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worries about appearance & body image
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anxiety and depression
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building resilience
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emotional awareness
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self-compassion
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perspective-management
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communication
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finding narratives - for self and the world around us
what are conversations at sumunum like? ​
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you are the centre of our conversations.
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you are our priority..
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the space is yours.
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we will… …
ensure that you know you are being heard & that you are not alone
create a space that is filled with warmth so that you can express yourself
freely & without inhibition or fear or judgement
do our best to ensure that you feel safe & comfortable
not pressure you to share if you are not ready to
always be honest with you - even if it is hard to hear
never offer platitudes or say something just because it may be something you want to hear
validate your experiences and encourage you to explore the boundaries of your comfort zone
we may have a lot of questions to ask, but we will also give you space and honour the need for silences
together, we will
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laugh… cry… feel rage…
feel heartbroken…
feel uncomfortable…
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we will try to lean into the discomfort & try to work our way through it together
we will support you in the way that you need it & towards where you want to go to the best of our ability.
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we believe very strongly in the fact that
income & affordability should not affect access to a health & social care service.
to ensure mental health services are accessible to everyone irrespective of their ability to pay,
sumunum foundation offers therapy on a sliding scale.
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click here to know more!
what the journey with us looks like​
comfort sessions - four introductory conversations where we
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establish the space
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facilitate a safe and non-judgemental space
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ensure mutual comfort & understanding
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get to know each other
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understand the challenges ahead
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understand the intent and motivations
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engagement sessions - where we move along in our journey together towards
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challenges awareness
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coping mechanisms
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arts engagements
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self-care & management plans
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future road-maps & timelines
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meet our conversationalists!
anshuumathy madhan
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mindfulness practices
narrative practices
open dialogue
self-compassion & kindness rituals
ecological systems theory
arts based practices
somatic practices
social justice frameworks
family systems & life course approaches
dialectical behaviour therapy
some of the approaches, frameworks & practices we draw from are:
conversational experiences at sumunum
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"when i started with kamala, i was clinically depressed, on medication and barely functional. i have seen many therapists and it’s never worked for me.
my experience with kamala has been nothing short of incredible, because i don’t have depression anymore (fingers crossed).
something that’s haunted me since i was kid, i don’t have it now.
she gives a very clear framework to deal with things. i feel her strategy is very client specific, so it was personalised to suit me. there is a huge comfort factor with her, where i can talk about anything with her.
this beautiful safe space was created, with her , which is what really helped me heal. it was really easy to open up because there is zero judgement. most importantly, she’s helped me create this safe space for myself."
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vasini