Meet Pamela Nair
Each month we spotlight an ACA member in the ACA Monthly Bulletin, our monthly newsletter. The Member Spotlight is designed to showcase the work of our members to you! We hope their stories inspire or spark interest. Let’s share our experiences within our counselling community.
What motivated you to pursue a career in counselling?
My choice of a career pathway in counselling was very much influenced by my mother. Mum was a ‘salt of the earth’ kind of person who worked as a nurse and always reached out to offer a listening ear to not only her patients but others that she encountered in her life’s journey.
Growing up in this environment helped to shape me into a person who believed in the intrinsic value of each human person, no matter where they were in life or how ‘broken’ they were. As I was an avid reader, exceedingly early in my life I became aware of many social issues that were impacting people and I felt drawn to wanting to be a listening ear, to assist and empower others.
In addition, as I experienced significant grief and loss personally as a teenager and young adult, I was fortunate to have the care and support of significant adults who guided and empowered me to take the ‘road less travelled.’ These experiences further cemented my desire to be a ‘wounded healer’ and motivated me to embark on academic studies in counselling to formalise my chosen career in counselling.
What specific areas do you primarily work within?
I work in my own Private Practice. I have a wide range of clients that include Employee Assistance Clients (EAP), couple counselling, workplace, and business coaching, amongst other mental health concerns.
Since 2019, my Practice has evolved into more Professional Supervision clientele. In this regard, I supervise other counsellors, social workers, and many ministers of religion. One of the recommendations that has resulted from Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, is that ministers of religion have professional supervision as part of their roles. As such, this cohort of clients have increased exponentially at my Practice.
Can you share a recent success or achievement in your counselling work that you're proud of?
There are many ‘success’ narratives, and all credit goes to my clients who do the ‘hard work’ in wanting to improve their lives. I see my role as an enabler. I recently had an EAP client (Referred here as ‘Ms M’) who has struggled with her weight since childhood. Ms M displayed extremely low self-esteem and saw herself as ‘failure’ in many circumstances of her life. Many of these internal messaging came from Ms M’s primary parent (her mother) who always used criticism as the main method of communicating with my client. My client would resort to ‘comfort eating’ to make herself feel better emotionally.
I worked with Ms M in helping her to understand the way her relationship with food has protected and helped her when other options were not obtainable or safe. This learnt pattern of behaviour since she was a child was a coping strategy. I provided some psychoeducational information on how eating releases neurochemicals that creates a sense of pacifying and wellbeing. For Ms M to change her relationship with food required her to embrace self-compassion, and to draw upon her innate ability to heal.
I also used Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a therapeutic technique to explore the “family” of subpersonalities within her. I introduced Ms M to the IFS framework of the “eight C’s of self-leadership” and together we worked out some practical strategies that she could use.
I am delighted to share that Ms M now has a much healthier approach in her relationship with food and she continues to see me bimonthly as her commitment on this journey to healthy eating.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a counsellor for you?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a counsellor is when I can instil hope to my clients even in the worst of personal circumstances. In addition, when my clients put in the challenging work towards being the ‘best versions’ of themselves; I am so thrilled and feel so rewarded.
How do you contribute to the betterment of the profession and your community?
By being a Supervisor, I mentor many newly qualified professionals and I very willing share my resources and experiences with them. Helping someone set up their own Private Practice or to develop their skillsets from a foundational Clinician to one who is more advanced is gratifying as I am committed to leaving a legacy in my profession.
In the community, I occasionally offer pro bono sessions based on referrals from various agencies. I feel this is one way to reach those unable to access mental health support due to their economic reasons.
Are there any projects or initiatives you're currently involved in?
Yes, as the current Chair of my Parish Pastoral Council, I am currently involved in a variety of initiatives that support the holistic development of individuals and within a community context. I offer my expertise and services as a volunteer to help build the community and supports the various outreach programs. Together with other members of my team, we have developed a strategic plan for 2025 that aligns with our Vision and Mission.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in counselling/psychotherapy?
The advice I would give someone considering a career in this discipline is to “be yourself,” trust in your skill set and be a beacon of hope to your clients.
Is there a quote or philosophy that inspires your work?
Yes, I have two quotes that have inspired me when I first started on this career journey and continues to inspire me. They are:
“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams, who looks inside, awakens.” Carl Jung
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”- Viktor Frankl
Open question - tell anything that was not asked in the previous questions?
I have been a member of the Australian Counselling Association since January 2002. In the 22 years of membership, I have seen the Association grow in leaps and bounds and become a forerunner in advocacy for its members, developing policies, procedures in line with good governance practices and leading the way in the mental health profession in Australia. I am indeed so proud and grateful to be associated with ACA and to have grown professionally alongside an Association that have now grown to a membership of over 19,000.
