Dr Kavitha Dorairaj

Senior Clinical Psychologist

Individual
Adults

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Qualifications

DPsych, BPsych (Hons.), BA, MSPS

Languages

English

Clinical Hours

Tuesday: 10am to 3pm
Monday: 10am to 12.30pm (Online sessions only)
Wednesday: 10am to 12.30pm (Online sessions only)
Thursday: 10am to 12.30pm (Online sessions only)

Fees

Individual Therapy (50min): $340

Dr Kavitha Dorairaj

Senior Clinical Psychologist

Individual
Adults

About

Dr Kavitha is passionate about working and collaborating with clients to empower them to meet their goals, improve their emotional wellbeing, and build a life worth living. She has a compassionate, non-judgemental and respectful therapeutic approach that enables clients to feel safe, understood, and validated. Guided by her practice, Dr Kavitha is motivated to empower and assist clients in managing their emotional wellbeing as she believes that involving both the psychologist and the client can undertake active roles to impact positive change in the therapeutic relationship.

Specialisations

Her areas of expertise includes working with clients on a wide range of presentations such as Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks and Disorders, Social Anxiety, Specific Phobias, Emotional Dysregulation, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anger Management Issues, Stress and Burnout, Grief and Loss, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, Binge-Eating Disorder and Weight Management Difficulties and Perfectionism. Dr Kavitha also works with clients with a mental disorder but are seeking to invest in themselves and build a purposeful life.

Qualifications and Experience

Dr Kavitha completed her Bachelor of Arts in Melbourne, her Honours in Singapore and her Doctorate in Perth. Outside of academics, she has completed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Gottman Level 1 training, and has experience working with inpatients and outpatients in private and public hospitals, as well as community mental health centres in Perth and Melbourne. In addition, she is experienced in conducting individual and group therapy for clients ranging from young adults to older adults. Dr Kavitha also has experience in several programmes in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), as well as the delivery of professional development and staff training within the mental health setting. She is a Registered Psychologist in Singapore, a Registered Clinical Psychologist in Australia and a Registered Supervisor in both Singapore and Australia.

Approach to Therapy

Dr Kavitha utilises a broad range of therapeutic interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Schema Therapy, Imagery Rescripting, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the Gottman Method.

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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.