Sukalyani Swain

Senior Counsellor

Individual
Adults

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Qualifications

M. Couns, PGDip in Social Health & Couns, BA Political Science & Psych

Languages

English
Hindi

Clinical Hours

Monday, Wednesday: 12pm - 8pm
Tuesday, Friday: 8am - 4pm
Saturday: 10am - 2pm

Fees

Individual Therapy (50min): $180
Individual Therapy (80min): $270

Sukalyani Swain

Senior Counsellor

Individual
Adults

About

Sukalyani firmly believes that each client is unique and has the innate potential to grow and thrive. She emphasises the importance of the right guidance and support in helping individuals lead a life of meaning and purpose. Sukalyani views the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative partnership, built on mutual trust, respect, commitment, and honesty, to explore new perspectives and find deeper purpose.

Sukalyani has lived and practised in several countries, including Australia, Singapore, and India, and is currently based in Singapore. Her multicultural and international experience has provided her with valuable insights into human behaviour and the unique challenges people face in different environments.

Specialisations

Her area of expertise include working with clients on a broad range of presentations such as Relationship Issues, Childhood Trauma, Single incident trauma, Trauma, Anxiety and Stress, Depression, Grief and Loss, Emotional regulation and interpersonal issues, Workplace stress and burnout, Life transitions and adjustment difficulties, Self-esteem issues, Perfectionism, and Parenting Issues. Sukalyani can also help those who have experienced miscarriage, support those experiencing prenatal and postpartum depression, and help clients to navigate through their pregnancy and menopausal journeys.

Qualifications & Experience

Sukalyani completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Psychology, Post Graduate diploma in Social Health and Counselling, and a Master of Counselling. She also holds a certificate in Artistic Therapy and is trained as a Level 1 and 2 Gottman Method couple therapy practitioner. She is a Registered Member of Singapore Association of Counselling (SAC), Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors (APACS) Singapore.

With 8 years of experience providing therapeutic treatments, Sukalyani supports her clients through a wide range of personal, professional and relationship challenges including anger management, caregiver fatigue, and marital issues. As an expat spouse herself, she has a deep, personal understanding of expatriate life and the challenges it brings for children and families, such as frequent relocations, the demands of global roles, work-life balance, and the identity struggles faced by “trailing spouses”.

Approach to Therapy

Sukalyani tailors her therapeutic treatments to suit each client’s needs including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Couples Therapy (GCT), Mindfulness and Meditation, Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) and Attachment-focused Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (AF-EMDR).

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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.