Therapy Philosophy
To Lina, engaging in psychotherapy is a sacred and healing journey. It is a journey of self-discovery and soul-searching, with the ultimate aim of cultivating wisdom and self-compassion. Her greatest passion is to help her clients never again be a victim of their circumstances but to begin a life with full autonomy and self-empowerment. As she believes each individual is unique, her therapeutic orientations include a personalised evidence-based approaches based on Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT), Choice Theory Reality Therapy (CTRT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR). As a qualified yoga teacher, Lina also incorporates body (somatic) movements in her practice that focuses on interoceptive awareness with the aim of self-regulation and creating safety in the body.
Professional Education & Credentials
Lina has more than a decade of clinical experiences in the mental health field. She has helped individuals suffering from mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar; childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, identity crisis (includes LGBTQ population), grief & loss, interpersonal conflicts, stress and anger management as well as addictive behaviours involving substance abuse, alcohol, gambling, pornography and sex both in the hospital and social service settings.
Having completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Social Science in Professional Counselling (Australia), Lina is a Registered Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor with Singapore Association of Counselling. She is also a Certified Substance Abuse and Gambling Counsellor by The Association of Professionals Specialising in Addictions Counselling (APSAC). She was a champion in developing the framework for Peer Support Specialists in National Addictions Management Services (NAMS), Institute of Mental Health. In addition to the above certifications, she lectures and conducts mental well-being and counselling-related workshops.
As a Person
Beyond work, Lina practises Yoga and Mindfulness regularly and has an appreciation for nature where she often enjoys hiking. One of her bucket list’s items is to hike and climb 100 mountains before she turns 55. Sounds ambitious?! This is one of her life passions that constantly motivates her, no matter how challenging life experiences can be at times.
Someone once asked Lina, “why do you always insist on taking the difficult path?” She replied, “why do you assume I see two roads?” Healing involves discomfort, but so does refusing to heal. Over time, refusing to heal can be more painful.