“It takes two to know one”
—Gegory Bateson
**If you are seeking therapy for your child or as a couple, visit Child Therapy or Couples Therapy.**
Common questions regarding individual therapy:
- Who should consider seeing a psychologist/therapist for psychotherapy?
- Why making the first step to see a psychologist/therapist feels so daunting?
- What if I want to find out more?
- How does Dr. Bertie Wai work?
- What can I expect from therapy, from our work together?
- Am I the only one struggling with this?
For specific conditions such as ADHD, Autism, addiction, BDP, anger and more, please visit our Mental Health Kit. Click here to read my article on narcissism in SCMP.
To see why people consult psychologists or psychotherapists, visit Common Concerns.
Who should consider psychotherapy?
Do you feel…
- you are struggling with depression or anxiety, compulsive thoughts or obsessive/addictive behavior, mood instability or emotional/angry outbursts that you don’t quite know how to deal with?
- you get into dissatisfying jobs/relationships/thought patterns/emotional situations that are on repeat, and you feel very frustrated about it?
- you have whirling thoughts and unsettling feelings you feel overwhelmed by? They are hard to bear, and you might do things that you know you shouldn’t to avoid feeling them (e.g., overeating, oversleeping, cutting, substance use, drinking, gaming, sexual acting out). Click here to learn more about addiction.
- you have dreams and goals, but something stops you from pursuing them, or you give up easily?
Though this list is not exhaustive, if some of these questions resonate with you, you will find it helpful to talk to a psychologist/therapist about what’s bothering you. That will help you gain clarity, and make steps towards improving your life.
Common reasons people come see a psychologist/therapist.
Why making the first step to see a psychologist/therapist feels so daunting?
Because therapy is first and foremost a personal experience, how it works, how you feel about and respond to it, and what benefits you could gain from it are best experienced through a consultation. However, that is easier said than done. You could be thinking any of the following.
How do I know…
- I need help? (Some of these self-help checklists might shed light.)
- the problems I am dealing with in fact merit professional psychological help?
- what to expect?
- I won’t be judged?
- my issues are in fact resolvable, and that my life can improve?
These are all legitimate questions, and they are well worth exploring. You are welcome to contact me for an initial consultation where I can address these questions with you.
What if I want to find out more?
If you feel uncertain about what you need, or unsure if I am the right person for you, that is very common and understandable. To find out, you can contact me to schedule an initial consultation, an opportunity for us to explore together what you are struggling with and what your needs are. And then we can find out together if working with me is something that suits and feels right for you.
How Dr Bertie Wai works
In my work with individual adults, I start with creating a relational space in which you can feel safe and supported when examining difficult feelings and circumstances in your life. When factors that keep you feeling stuck, troubled, or emotionally distraught are brought to light, you will be in the driver’s seat to create a new map that takes you where you want your life to go.
Please visit the Individual Therapy Q & A page for more details.
What to expect from therapy, from our work together
Depending on the nature and history of your concerns as well as your life circumstance, treatment duration varies on a case-by-case basis. It is not uncommon for people to come in feeling unclear about what they need to change or work on, apart from an overwhelming sense of getting stuck, feeling lost and dissatisfied, or needing help. That could be where our work starts: to find out about the root of what is bothering you and what you want to see changed. (For example, you could feel that your life is falling apart or your relationships are failing you, but you don’t know exactly why.) Some people come in initially with very clear goals (e.g., “I want to be able to manage stress better”), and those goals could evolve and expand as they develop a better understanding of themselves and their deeper needs (e.g., “I want to find out for myself what is important to me.”).
11 Reasons to go to therapy.
Some pointers to help you choose a therapist.
What to avoid when choosing a therapist.