Natasha Chainani

Counsellor-in-Training

Individual
Children
Adults

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Qualifications

M. Couns [In progress]

Languages

English
Hindi
Spanish

Clinical Hours

Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 4pm

Fees

Individual Therapy (50min): $50
Individual Therapy (80min): $75

Natasha Chainani

Counsellor-in-Training

Individual
Children
Adults

About

Natasha believes that every individual has to undertake a journey to better understand themselves and their values in order to be truly happy and healthy. She is also committed to helping clients undertake this journey.

Having grown up, studied and lived across India, Singapore, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, Natasha brings a deep cultural awareness and diverse perspectives to the table. She draws from her identity as a third-culture kid, providing support and meaning to the nuanced perspectives and unique experiences of fellow third-culture kids and expatriate families.

Specialisations

Natasha is passionate about working with youths and adults, going through Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Burnout, identity issues, relocation, cultural transition, self-confidence and self-esteem concerns, work-related issues, OCD, Eating Disorders, Emotional Regulation, Perfectionism and transition and adjustment issues.

Qualifications and Experience

Natasha has a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences (Microbiology) with a minor in Public Health from the University of Rochester, and a Masters in Public Health from Imperial College London. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Counselling at Monash University.

Natasha returned to Singapore in 2016 to work in healthcare at the systems level, before transitioning to counselling and pursuing a passion to help clients at the individual level. She previously worked as a management consultant for the healthcare and life sciences sector at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and in healthcare policy for the Singapore government, and draws from these experiences to help clients navigate high-pressure environments and other professional challenges.

Approach to Therapy

Natasha takes a personalised and client-centric stance to therapy, collaborating with the client while also challenging their blind spots, to foster resilience and positive change. She draws from integrative approaches across Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Person-centred therapy to empower individuals through their self actualisation journey.

Natasha adopts a safe and inclusive space in her therapy practice, and empowers individuals to navigate this journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Having personally experienced the benefits of therapy, she is a strong advocate for youth mental health as well as workplace well-being.

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Gentle Start-Up in Couples Communication

What is a Gentle Start-up?

Effective communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and this holds for couples as well. A gentle start-up in communication refers to initiating a conversation with care, empathy, and respect. It’s about setting a positive tone for the discussion, which is essential in ensuring both partners feel heard and understood.

In Asian households, where communication can sometimes be perceived as harsh or direct, the concept of a “gentle start-up” may seem jarring, and unfamiliar. Traditional Asian households often prioritize directness and sometimes even bluntness in communication, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts within couples.

In fact, gentle start-up is actually aligned when the values of Asian households. Many Asian households emphasize respect towards loved ones. In such contexts, starting a conversation gently can be seen as a sign of respect, even if the content of the conversation is a complaint.

Maintaining harmony is a fundamental value within Asian households as well. A gentle start-up not only reflects respect but also serves to preserve the equilibrium within the relationship. Initiating a conversation gently reinforces the importance of the relationship. This approach communicates that the relationship is more significant than any temporary disagreement or frustration.

In Asian households, collectivism and interdependence are deeply rooted cultural values. These values emphasize the interconnectedness of the couple and the idea that their actions and words can impact the entire relationship.

The gentle start-up approach aligns with these values and aims to minimize the emotional impact of difficult moments within the family. By choosing a more respectful and considerate tone, family members can navigate challenging conversations with minimal emotional harm, ultimately promoting healthier and more harmonious family dynamics.

Benefits of Gentle Start-Ups:

Enhanced Understanding:
- Initiating a conversation gently allows both partners to approach the topic with an open mind, fostering better understanding and empathy.
Reduced Defensiveness:
- A harsh start to a conversation can trigger defensiveness, making it challenging to resolve issues. A gentle start-up can minimize this defensiveness, leading to more productive discussions.
Conflict Resolution:
- By using a gentle approach, couples can create a safe space for addressing concerns and resolving conflicts constructively.

In Asian households, the importance of gentle start-ups in couples’ communication becomes evident when considering the cultural dynamics at play. While directness and bluntness have their place, employing a gentle approach can foster understanding, reduce defensiveness, and facilitate healthy conflict resolution. It’s a harmonious blend of traditional values and effective communication techniques that can lead to stronger, more resilient relationships in the context of diverse Asian households.