Vanitha Chandrasegaram

Vanitha Chandrasegaram has over two decades of work experience as a psychotherapist. She received her Masters of Science in Psychology, from Pittsburg State University, USA and a second master’s degree in Dramatherapy from the University of Hertfordshire, UK. Vanitha is a certified yoga instructor, receiving her yoga teacher’s training from Siddhi Yoga Rishikesh, India. Her international experience includes working for the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, various non-governmental organizations (NGO), and Universities throughout Malaysia. She has led a home for over 70 underprivileged children from ages 4 to 16 as well as worked with women and children who have been abused. 

She has presented at conferences and facilitated workshops, providing training for mental health practitioners and educators in Malaysia, Australia, India, Iceland, USA,  Lebanon and Singapore. She’s also provided training on mindfulness and The Hero’s Journey for corporate companies and the prime minister’s office in Malaysia. As a published writer, Vanitha’s research in areas of cultural diversity, grief, anxiety, trauma, and working with adolescence has appeared in professional journals and psychology books.

She is currently a board member of SALM-félag sálmeðferðarfræðinga/Psychotherapy Association of Iceland, an active member of North American Drama Therapy Association, and Creative Arts Therapy Association in Malaysia.

How I work 

I welcome you to the work. We will take a holistic approach integrating mind, body, breath, and spirit. Led by psychology, yoga, mindfulness and creative arts, it is my intention to facilitates positive transformation. 

Together, we will begin by exploring where you are and what your intention is for therapy. I use various theoretical frameworks in navigating sessions, depending on each client and the challenges they are facing. Incorporating playfulness and imagination into the therapeutic process is an important element when facilitating clients’ movement through challenging life situations and states of being. 

This work may be challenging, brave, playful, and fun. My objective is to hold a safe/brave space to allow honest expression. We will then bring to surface the unconscious behaviours and patterns which may be sabotaging your progress. We may introduce methods, tools, and curiosities to help empower you in navigating challenging emotions, thoughts and situations. 

I believe that in embracing our uniqueness and diversity, whether it is inner or outer, can be a source of inspiration and power from which we can draw upon in challenging circumstances.

I work with adults, teenagers, and children from ages 6 and above.

I look forward to holding and honouring your story. 

Specialities:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress

• Burnout

• Life transitions

• Intercultural changes

• Adaptation to life changes

• Menopausal transitional challenges

• Anger management

• Self-esteem

• Grief

• Trauma and PTSD

• Abuse

Therapeutic Approach

• Humanistic, person-centred approach

• Jungian psychology

• Mindfulness practices

• Breathing techniques

• Breath meditation

• Creative arts therapy

• The Hero’s Journey

• Story making/story telling

• Play therapy

Current Research/Reading/Projects

Recently  participated in a breathwork and meditation workshop - “Sudhashan Kriya" as well as "The Right Use of Power" intensive workshop in hopes to continue uncovering our relationship with power.

Currently researching the neuroscience of meditation, movements, breath and creativity in relation with mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Personal

I love dancing and being in nature. 

I like meeting and connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds, learning about different cultures and traveling. Currently, I am learning the Icelandic language.

I enjoy playing the flute, practicing yoga and writing. 

Mostly, I am curious and excited about this adventure we call life.

Individual Sessions are 21.000 kr. per session. For Grants and Union information, please see the Home Page.

Languages: English, Malay and Tamil.