a brave space
to edit the stories you tell yourself, upgrade your internal operating system, and build a life well lived
Here’s the thing ...
Many of us millennials grew up at a time when people didn’t talk much about mental, emotional and relational fitness (and in some cultures, it’s still not talked about). We’ve had caregivers, teachers, and bosses with their own unhealed wounds, limiting their ability to support our development and model healthy life skills.
Add in societal norms that overvalue intellectual and economic achievements, various forms of systemic and culturally sanctioned oppression, lack of awareness of neurodiversity ... Is it any wonder that many of us are left with a kind of psychological malnutrition, some wonky beliefs, and a lot of shame and guilt and mean voices in our head?
We can change that. It’s never too late to reap the benefits of a consistently safe, growth-fostering environment, address unmet psychological needs, and develop the #CoreHumanSkills we all need to thrive.
We can review and edit the stories you tell yourself and distinguish between values you inherited and values that are truly yours. We can work with the brain you’ve got, not against it. We can break generational cycles and survival strategies that have outlived their usefulness and build a better future.
Where would you like to start?
👋🏽 Hi, I’m Mel!
I’m an English-Chinese bilingual, dual-trained therapist and coach in London with a professional background in tech and creative fields and an international, multidisciplinary education. I’ve spent my whole career creating and editing, designing and building, synthesising knowledge from different domains and bringing ideas to life.
Turns out those skills and experiences are just as helpful when applied to our own lives! I’ve turned my life around and grown so much from my complex-trauma recovery and ongoing inner work. I only wish I’d had the right help earlier in my life.
There’s so much good knowledge out there that’s not reaching the people who could use it (while a lot of misinformation proliferates, sigh). I want to help people like you learn just enough, when you need it, in ways you can easily understand and find relevant, with tailored applications that fit your contexts. How would you like me to help you on your journey of growth and well-being?
she/her
🇬🇧🇺🇸🇭🇰♣♾️
Services
My services are trauma-informed, LGBTQIA+/GSRD-affirming (including asexuality), and neuro-affirming. I'm insured to work with both UK and international clients, and we can work in English or Cantonese (廣東話), online or in-person, in one of the following ways:
Therapeutic Coaching
We’ll focus on your professional or personal goal, practise ‘intelligent failure’, and tackle both practical and psychological barriers as we go, with the option to delve deeper (safely) than you might with the average coach. Typically short- to medium-term. Future-oriented; values- and strengths-based; and action- and solutions-focused.
Integrative Psychotherapy
We’ll address your psychological wounds on cognitive, emotional, behavioural and somatic levels, while recognising cultural and structural factors at play as well. It’s possible to break free from childhood trauma, depression, and anxiety and to build heathy habits and relationships (including with all parts of yourself). Typically longer term and more comprehensive.
Single-Session Coaching
We’ll focus on a single issue for which you’d like a thought disruptor to help you get unstuck, expand the realm of possibilities, and design strategies that incorporate your strengths and skills. One session at a time, knowing that more support is available. Also suitable as supplemental support to self-help workbooks.
Locations
In addition to online work, I offer in-person sessions in Central London and East London:
Hackney, London E8
Bloomsbury/Holborn, London WC1A
King's Cross, London WC1H
Fitzrovia, London W1W
Bank/Monument, London EC3V
The Hackney location has lift access; the others involve stairs. I'm in the process of securing a wheelchair-accessible location in Central London, which should be available from early 2025.
What could you gain?
My clients have:
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Negotiated higher pay/rates (70%+) and other benefits
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Found jobs that are better aligned with their values, strengths, and goals
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Grown their business with less stress and reversed their path to burnout
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Enjoyed deeper relationships at home and at work – ones characterised by healthy communication, give-and-take, boundaries, and interdependence
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Built a new life in a new country, with more ease and joy
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Pursued their dream of going back to school and living abroad
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Saved money because they stopped using drinking, shopping (‘doom spending’), or superficial ‘self-care’ as temporary relief
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Freed up time and energy because they stopped saying yes to things they really wanted to say no to
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Learned to motivate themselves without using fear or shame, and turned their inner critic into their friend
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Expanded their tolerance for frustration, disappointment, uncertainty, opening up to the whole range of human experiences
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Developed a growth mindset and healthy habits that really work for them and that they can carry on building upon without me! (Yes, I’m here to work myself out of a job as soon as possible!)
“Not only did I find a new job that I am really excited about, I also managed to get a significant salary increase. ... We were able to work both on the practical and psychological aspects of job searching and prioritise each session according to my needs at the time, which really allowed me to progress quickly.”
Business Development Manager