Mariana Barancean

Psychotherapist-in-Training (Online)

Individual
Adults

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Qualifications

MA (Integrated Counselling & Psychotherapy) [In Progress], MPsych, M.Econ

Languages

English
French
Romanian
Russian

Clinical Hours

Tuesday: 2pm - 4pm
Wednesday: 1pm - 3pm

Fees

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

Mariana Barancean

Psychotherapist-in-Training (Online)

Individual
Adults

About

Mariana is a psychotherapist and counsellor-in-training who has a positive and vibrant nature. She finds people inspiring and she recently redefined her purpose as a guide who can help her clients identify and embrace who they are intended to be. Over the past four years, Mariana has embarked on a self-discovery journey. Since 2016, she pursued a career in digital advertising sales in Singapore, which equipped her with a great understanding of the Southeast Asian culture and work environment. After six years, she transitioned to recruitment, which now allows her to work closely with people in a way that brings meaning to her, besides following her dream master in parallel. With a passion for the human mind and behaviour, she has been arduously consuming all psychological content that she came across since adolescence.
Mariana has a diverse multicultural background, being able to understand people from different cultures. She was born in Moldova and spent multiple years there, she then moved and lived in Romania and France. She also speaks French and Russian and can attend to clients who prefer to speak in their mother tongue.

Specialisations

Mariana specialises in addressing Anxiety, work-related issues, Stress, Burnout, Depression, Trauma, relationship issues, self-confidence and self-esteem issues.

Qualifications and Experience

Mariana is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling with Aventis Singapore (in partnership with Roehampton UK, 2023-2025). She holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Economics from Sorbonne University, Paris, completed in 2016. For two years, she has volunteered with a suicide prevention centre in Singapore, providing support to people in distress. Most of the cases she has dealt with included anxiety and burnout, depression and suicidal thoughts, mental disorders.

Approach to Therapy

Mariana believes that just as going to the gym is good for your body, therapy is good for your mind. She is passionate about helping and guiding people throughout the journey of understanding their anxiety and depression, burnouts, conflicts at work and personal life, internal conflicts and search for purpose, as well as relationships and sexuality. In her sessions, she is gentle and takes the time to listen and understand her clients, while providing a supportive environment that is safe and empathetic.

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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.