10 Questions with Amanda Dounis

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

• As a young girl still in high school I was always reading books surrounding mental wellness and anything motivational. As it turned out, as an adult all the education and training that I did surrounded helping individuals mentally and emotionally. It is what I can call; a life long passion, and my persistence for learning continues to grow.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional/personal development?

• In the most recent of times I am continuously learning how to include mindfulness and self compassion into every session. I am a believer of the power of cognitive behaviour therapy as I see how powerful and relevant, and accessible it is for everyone. I really enjoy brief strategic psychotherapy as it complements the needs of people who wish for results to be fast and effective. Neurolinguistic programming is definitely becoming common amongst techniques which are powerful, immediate and effective. Though overall I have learned to respect most approaches and consider myself and integrative therapist. The truth is, we need to meet our clients to determine what style of influence they will benefit from too.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

• The present moment. The entire journey of our life is important. We can't change our past, but let's see if we can change our relationship to it. If we are able to do this, then this may make our present day living, more relevant and important. We can learn to let go, and start growing our unique selves in the best mind nourishing way possible. And as for the future as our journey, the best we can do is plan for it. We can never predict it. So, being aware of our limitations and how we can progress our own health, we can live our best life, at any given time, with the resources we have available.

• What method/s do you use?

• I have a very detailed client intake form, and I clarify what I believe is important. I do not drag people through their childhood unless there is a good reason to. I work on the problem or goal as it is relevant today. I employ methods that create change for the individual, as I have found "change" is what most look for. My sessions are creative. Being trained in so many areas, I communicate with each client to see what they like and dislike. I am full of resources for kids and teens. And for adults I often mix counselling, hypnotherapy, NLP to the liking of each client.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

• Immediately, although I always make it clear that "feeling" better is not the same as "doing" better. Quite often clients make the mistake of shortening suggested treatment plans because they feel better. Its important to attend, do extra tasking, and listen to audios if this is part of the plan.

• How has therapy made you a better person?

• Therapy has made me a better person because it has given me knowledge and understanding of our patterning and our programming. Being a therapist requires ongoing professional development. I take this seriously, and it keeps me up to date not only with industry standards, but with new developments too. My knowledge is always up to date, and ready for more learning.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

• Helping others. Helping kids, and adults. Seeing results. Having a unique and professional relationship with individuals who come to see me. And most of all...making a difference.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

• Let me just say this...."when I am with a client, or clients /groups /families, I am entirely WITH them for the duration of the session regardless of my h.a.i.r." I learned that I compartmentalise very well. So my sessions are sessions of dedication regardless of weather, hair, or whatever....

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

• Keeping within the field..."mental unwellness". I am seeing it from early ages, and we need to not just look at coping skills, but look at what it is in our environment that is feeding it so well.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

• There is a song I remember from when I was young "if theres one thing in my life that's missing, its the time that I spend alone". I would love the words and the story to it. Yet today I see how people do not miss the time that they spend on their own. Loneliness sets in...yet our own company should be our best company. I know we are human and we seek for connection, but this is different from not standing the thought of being alone.