Hi! I’m Mariyah (she/her). My journey into this line of work started early, as I felt a strong curiosity about the human experience, people, and how to help them from a young age! My post-graduate studies fostered this curiosity and sense of justice in assisting people to achieve their best potential and life goals. Now, I’m a registered counsellor who has spent time working with individuals experiencing dependence on alcohol and drugs, as well as their loved ones in a community mental health service. In this role, I was very fortunate to work with people in a range of capacities, including general mental health concerns, life planning and goals, and developing skills to advocate for themselves. I still see individuals in this capacity, and take a harm minimisation approach that is compassionate of your experiences. As I extend my career in counselling, I am very passionate about working with individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community, culturally diverse communities, neurodivergent individuals as well as everyone else who experiences mental health concerns. I grew up in Malaysia, giving me lived experience of how complex these identities can be at times. The intersection between culture, sexuality or gender identity and one’s experiences is meaningful to me and I’m very excited to assist you in navigating and celebrating these identities in a society that may not be particularly welcoming to them.
My areas of interest are below:
Individuals in the LGBTQIA+ communityNeurodivergent individualsTherapy for therapistsRelationship to one’s culture and identity (and general identity exploration)Navigating relationships (romantic, ENM, polygamous, monogamous, platonic and familial)Attachment concernsNavigating life goals, life adjustments and stressAnxiety and depressionConfidence, self-esteem and resilienceIndividuals experiencing harmful drug and alcohol use, or loved ones supporting themSocial and communication skillsParenting boundaries and assertivenessThat being said, if your experiences fall outside of the list above, I am more than happy to work with you if you believe my approach resonates with you!