Nadya Tan

Counsellor

Individual
Couples
Adults

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Qualifications

M. Couns, BS (Hons) Psych, BS Psych (Distinction)

Languages

English

Clinical Hours

Monday to Friday: 10am - 7pm
Effective from January 2025:
Monday to Friday: 12pm - 8pm

Fees

Individual Therapy (50 minutes) : $170
Individual Therapy (80 minutes) : $255
Couples Therapy (80 minutes): $285

Nadya Tan

Counsellor

Individual
Couples
Adults

About

Nadya is passionate about providing a safe, non-judgmental and accepting space for clients to share their thoughts and feelings and believes that everyone can benefit from counselling. She hopes to provide and support clients in managing and overcoming their mental and emotional struggles.

Specialisations

Her area of expertise includes working with clients on various presentations such as Anxiety, Depression, Academic or Work-related Issues, Stress and Burnout, Relationships, Self-Esteem and Confidence, Positive Emotional Well-being, as well as Grief and Loss. Being trained in the Gottman Method, she helps couples facing relationship issues and helps them to navigate through difficult emotions, situations and build healthier relationships.

Qualifications and Experience

Nadya completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Science with Honours at James Cook University and her Master’s Degree in Counselling at Monash University.

Nadya has completed Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and teached many strategies from it such as Gentle start-up.

Due to having an early childhood background, Nadya has prior experience working as a research assistant in socio-emotional developmental studies and understands that many factors can impact an individual’s mental health starting in early life. Through her work experience, Nadya has seen first-hand how negative childhood experiences can have a lasting impact on one’s mental well-being and development. She is extremely knowledgeable about the ways in which our mental well-being can be impacted by different factors including family dynamics, parenting style, and socioeconomic situation. Nadya also believes that by learning and developing empathy for these subliminal factors, one can develop and flourish emotionally.

Approach to Therapy

Nadya uses a variety of techniques including, but not limited to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness. For couples therapy, she uses the Gottman Method to help couples work through issues and transitioning stages of their relationship.

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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.