Krisna Malani

Counsellor

Individual
Adults
Children

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Qualifications

M. Couns (Distinction), BA Psych

Languages

English

Clinical Hours

Tuesday: 7am - 12pm, 5pm - 7pm (Online sessions only)
Wednesday, Thursday: 12pm - 8pm

Fees

Individual Therapy (50 minutes): $170
Individual Therapy (80 minutes): $255

Krisna Malani

Counsellor

Individual
Adults
Children

About

As a South Asian woman who has lived equally between the East and West, Krisna navigated many identities and often felt underrepresented and misunderstood within the mental health system. This fuels her culturally attuned approach where her clients’ identities, backgrounds, and beliefs are honoured and understood. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space where clients never have to justify or minimise who they are – so they feel seen, heard and supported.
Krisna is passionate about supporting adolescents (ages 10+) and adults through a wide range of challenges. She believes that no issue is “too small” or “too trivial” to seek support for. She helps clients make sense of their experiences – understanding what they are going through, why it’s happening, and how to move forward in a way that aligns with their values and goals. Her therapeutic style is honest, casual, collaborative and validating – with a little humour from time to time!

Specialisations

Krisna works with both adolescents (ages 10+) and adults from all backgrounds supporting them through anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, self-esteem and confidence issues, relationship difficulties, life adjustment, expatriate and third-culture kid (TCK) issues, and school and work-related struggles. She is LGBTQIA+ affirming and offers both online and in-person sessions.
Having grown up as a TCK herself in international schools and had the exposure as a global citizen, Krisna brings both personal insight and professional expertise to her practice.

Qualifications & Experience

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from George Washington University (USA) and a Master’s Degree with Honours in Counselling from Monash University (Australia). She is also a Provisional Clinical Member with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC). She engages in regular professional supervision and continues to pursue additional training to enhance her skills.
Prior to her career in counselling, Krisna spent a decade in public relations and marketing, across corporate, boutique, and government sectors in New York City. Her journey to becoming a counsellor began with her own experiences of pain and healing through therapy – an experience that profoundly shapes her empathetic and client-centered approach today.

Approach to Therapy

Krisna tailors her approach to her clients’ unique personalities and needs, drawing from evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based techniques.

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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.