Ms Melis Topsahin

A conversation with Melis Topsahin

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

  I have always had a natural pull towards assisting individuals around me throughout various situations. Now, actually having the skills and tools to be able to assist others, has given me a true purpose and yet again confirmed that this is the path I have always been destined for.
  
  Practicing as a counsellor has allowed me to assist individuals to find their unique path and achieve their short and long term goals in life. There is no end to education and learning. My primary goal as a therapist, is to assist clients as best I can.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  Studies have shown that emotion/cognition and the physiology of a person are all intrinsically linked to one another. My philosophical approach has been influenced by a real-world, everyday approach. Having worked in private practice, I have the belief that applying therapy which is both grounded and practical for client's and which can be applied into their day-to-day lives is key.
  
  Amongst many other fantastic doctors, therapists and scientists, I particularly find Dr. Gabor Maté (a known Canadian psychiatrist who believes in the connection between childhood trauma and addiction) to be of particular interest in my line of work.
  
  The quote from Dr. Maté, which states: 'self-awareness is the bottom line: when we wake up and become properly self-aware, we are able to address the traumatic childhood issues that leave us vulnerable' truly is one that resonates with me.

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

  I am interested in all parts of the human journey. Each client opens another valuable path into understanding the human psyche further.
  
  Trauma and the impact on brain development and the unity of both the mind and body, is what particularly interests me as a therapist.

• What methods do you use?

  My practice incorporates most therapy approaches that are available including; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Humanistic Approach, Compassion Focused Therapy, Journal Therapy, Marriage & Family Counselling, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused (Oriented) Therapy amongst various other newly found and approved approaches. The methods and various therapy techniques used depends only on the individual client and what they require to reach their therapy based outcome(s).

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

  The progress for each client varies immensely! As each client presents with a unique background, traumatic or distressing event(s), short and long term goal(s), past experience(s) and personal characteristics.
  
  As the client and myself work through the issues and towards goals during therapy, the progress undoubtedly will begin to occur. This happens a lot sooner for some and a lot later for others, as it also realise heavily on how much the client would prefer to unpack and work towards. Furthermore, as a therapist, building a strong and healthy rapport with the client will play in the time spent towards progress.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has added 'purpose' in my life! This journey is like no other and I proudly have devoted my whole journey towards assisting as many client(s) I am trained to assist.
  
  Being a therapist has made me both a full-time worker as well as a full-time student, in which I am always learning new & improved methods to add to my practice, in order to better assist my clients with their unique experiences, issues and goals.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  Being able to assist another individual by creating a zero judgement, welcoming and a peace filled environment is so rewarding. To allow for a respect and compassion filled space for the client to process their own issue(s)/ experiences and to see them work towards self growth/ development is truly inspires me as a therapist.
  
  Each time a productive step is taken (mood, mental health, situation or circumstances) by the client, this confirms the reason to why I have chosen and continue to choose this line of work day after day.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Bad hair days? I have bad hair weeks, months and even years.

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

  One of the most significant problems that we face today, is forgetting the free art of 'compassion' and 'understanding'. Although most of us still adopt compassion for one another, unfortunately, some simply do not. This reality saddens me and I try to remind both myself and my clients, that giving is but a 'need' within each one of us. Giving allows us to feel 'good'. This is natures way to tell us to keep doing it as much as we can for one another.
  
  Giving can mean but is not limited to; time, effort and currency. Sometimes, being a voice to assist those who truly need it, allows room for something magical to occur within and we instantly are gifted with gratitude and appreciation for both ourselves and others.

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

  One of the many people that truly inspire me, as I have probably mentioned time and time again, is Dr. Gabor Mate, who is a Canadian psychiatrist.
  
  Having had the privilege of reading most of his books and listening to countless interviews that he has been a part of, I always try and remind myself of the 'why' instead of the 'what' in my day to day life. This, in my opinion, is one of the key factors for any individual who has the privilege of assisting others in life.