I am an independent counsellor and psychotherapist
with a bicultural background, and I have been an expatriate for more than 20
years.
I have twenty-five years of experience working in
different clinical psychology environments. During the first few years of my
practice, I worked as part of the psychiatric team at the HIM (one of the major
paediatric hospitals in Mexico City). My main role at that time was being part
of the psychotherapist’s team taking charge of adolescent inpatients and their
families.
After moving to Singapore, my practice has been
directed to adults, providing psychotherapy and counselling services to individuals
and couples.
My techniques are tailored specifically for each one
of my clients. Generally, I use psychoanalytical and humanistic interventions,
which help clients learn to identify the origins of their
difficulties and why these difficulties persist, opening the way to awareness,
growth, healing, and fulfilment within themselves and in their
relationships.
For individuals, I believe in counselling as a good
source of support that we all need at transitional stages, such as becoming a
parent for the first time, carriers changes, decision making, personal
development, or simply moments of appraisal about their life choices.
In my experience, couples struggle a lot sometimes
because moving around the world with a family, is not an easy task. The
sense of not belonging, as well as language and cultural barriers, do not make
life any easier.
Being an expatriate has given me the opportunity to work with clients of more than thirty different nationalities, which has made me aware of the struggles that intercultural couples go through. Intercultural couples’ strives worsen and their endeavours are profound when they have the stress due to adapting to a third-culture.
In some cases the adjustment period is especially challenging
because of their underlying differences. Such as family traditions, values,
beliefs, communication styles, language misunderstandings, and others.
In other cases, couples consult me at moments of
extreme vulnerability; for example, when an infidelity has been disclosed.
Critical times or fragility periods are important turning points and decision
making during a crisis is not recommended, The couple may need the support, the
sense of control and security that an impartial non-judgemental party (the
therapist) will provide.
Sidewise, I have a solid experience
helping those afflicted by anxiety, bereavement, loss, depression, complex relationships,
sexuality related worries, post-traumatic stress, phobias and compulsions.
If you would like more information about my services, don't hesitate to contact me.
_--_Caroline_Olivares_CV_Psychologist
