Sumyukthaa Thillairajan
I help individuals and couples by empowering them to develop autonomy and interconnectedness through my warm demeanor and emphasis on goal-centered therapy.
Q&A with Sumyukthaa
For starters, tell me a little about yourself
Outside of school and work you will probably find me watching tv, playing sudoku, walking my dogs, trying a new recipe, or planning my next trip. I find comfort in what I love, but I’m also excited to try new things!
What's your therapeutic style? What's your approach to therapy?
My therapeutic style consists of using a non-judgmental, empathetic, and culturally sensitive approach with each client. I take a person-centred approach to therapy, that emphasizes the importance of the client’s role in therapy, and that their input is not only recommended but necessary. I empower clients to take ownership of their lives and begin creating change for the better.
What mental health concerns do you specialize in?
I am experienced in supporting individuals from various age groups, ethnicities, cultures, and sexual orientations. They have experienced a wide range of presenting issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, interpersonal relationships, motor vehicle accidents and more. My experiences are through individual, family, and community counselling.
What's the best compliment you have received while being a psychotherapist?
The best compliment I received from a client is that they appreciate my emphasis on empowerment, as this allowed the client to feel like they had autonomy in our sessions. I have also been told that my warm and welcoming demeanour makes it easy for clients to speak freely during sessions.
What can clients expect when they work with you?
When working with me, clients can expect to work collaboratively with someone personable, adaptable, and encouraging. Every client’s experience with therapy should be unique, and that is why I strive to make a valuable experience for each client based on their goals and needs. I also support and challenge clients to create positive change in their lives. This may take trial and error, but therapy is the place to experiment and find what works best for each client.
What are some therapeutic values that you bring to the table?
I believe there is not only one way to conduct therapy. I believe in adaptability and a structured go-with-the-flow approach. Even though there are set goals for therapy, there is not a single correct way to achieve them. Instead, I believe it’s important to be attuned to how the client is responding to therapy and make necessary changes to the plan based on how they are feeling.
Why choose you?
I provide clients with a brave and empowering space to better themselves through self-exploration. I attend to the societal and cultural influences of each client and I continuously try to learn new ways to incorporate these influences into therapy to provide the most valuable experience for my clients. In therapy, I strive to emphasize the client’s strengths, while implementing new perspectives and practices to help the client accomplish their goals.