TRAUMA

Language: English.

Kane has worked within corporate environments for 25+ years across Hong Kong for the past 11 years, before that he lived in Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai and originally from Melbourne, Australia.

With a wide working and personal experience in the real-world Kane can work with clients to achieve their best in a wide range of areas including:

• LGBTQIA+.
• ADHD & Autism.
• Nutrition and wellness.
• PTSD.
• Childhood Trauma.
• Past Relationships.
• Work related stress.
• Technology.

Find out more about the LCC program here.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us here.

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As we celebrate International Women's Day, it's vital to recognize the collection of experiences that shape women's lives. This day serves as a reminder of the strength, resilience, and challenges faced by women around the world. One such challenge is birth trauma—a topic that, while often overlooked, can have profound and lasting effects on both mothers and their children. As a counselor, I've had the privilege of walking alongside many individuals and families as they navigate the complex emotional landscape of birth trauma.

Birth trauma encompasses both physical and psychological injuries sustained during childbirth. For many, the experience of bringing a new life into the world can bring about feelings of fear, helplessness, and disappointment and it can be incredibly challenging to make sense of what happened, especially when complications arise unexpectedly.

For some, the trauma can extend into parenting, creating barriers to bonding and leading to anxiety or depression. Therefore, it’s important to recognise that these feelings are not only valid but also significant—they are the first steps toward healing.

Research shows that between 25% and 34% of women report experiencing traumatic births. This statistic is more than just numbers; it reflects the emotional struggles that can ripple through a woman's mental health, leading to postpartum depression, anxiety, or even PTSD. Supporting affected parents isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential.

In Hong Kong, the conversation around birth trauma is slowly gaining traction. However, cultural attitudes often promote stoicism and resilience, making it difficult for mothers to voice their experiences. Many feel pressured to downplay their trauma, which can contribute to a profound sense of isolation.

For expatriate women delivering in Hong Kong's government hospitals, the intersection of cultural expectations can be particularly challenging. Some expat mothers may come from backgrounds that emphasize open discussion about emotional experiences, contrasting with more reserved attitudes prevalent in Chinese culture.

Language barriers can further complicate communication with healthcare providers, making it harder for these women to express their needs or concerns. This disconnect can exacerbate feelings of fear and helplessness during an already vulnerable experience.

If left unresolved, these triggers can leave women feeling stuck, unregulated and vulnerable. The emotional impact of birth trauma adds strain to the already stressful transition into parenthood. Many couples experience shifts in functional roles and disruptions in intimacy, compounding the difficulties they face.

I’ve encountered women who only recognize the repercussions of their ‘traumatic’ birth when faced with specific triggers—like conversations about having another child or even simple reminders of their pregnancy. Therefore, healing should begin with recognition, discussion, and support, ultimately leading to stronger, healthier relationships and communities.

There is a growing movement among healthcare professionals and advocates in Hong Kong to address birth trauma and improve maternal care. Efforts include training for healthcare providers on trauma-informed care and advocating for policies that prioritize the emotional well-being of mothers during childbirth.

One effective therapeutic approach being taught to health care providers in local hospitals to address the impact of birth trauma is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a well-researched method designed to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce the emotional distress associated with them. In Hong Kong and beyond, raising awareness about birth trauma is essential.

Research underscores the importance of birth trauma-informed support, including antenatal preparation, access to specialist psychological care, and compassionate, parent-centered maternity services (Delicate & Ayers, 2023). As the transition to parenthood brings its own challenges (Ayers et al., 2019), validating parents’ experiences and providing accessible mental health resources can help break the cycle of trauma and foster healing.

Monisha Dadlani & AM Team

MsC., MoC. Member of: ACA, BACP

Please refer to the AM articles page for Monisha and the AM Team articles.

Please complete the AMindset intake form to start therapy with an AM team member. Our therapists offer a FREE 20-minute introductory session for new clients.

If you are not quite ready, please click here to subscribe to the AMindset Newsletter with articles and podcasts to learn more about your mental health and how AM can help you.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Make a Booking Package of 4 Ind Sessions  Package of 4 Couples Sessions

Psychotherapist and Group Counsellor. IFS level 1

Languages: English, German and Dutch. 

• Are you feeling weighed down by the pain and anger of your past family dynamics, your parents' divorce, even though it happened years ago, for example?
• Do you feel like you have to be perfect all the time because of the constant criticism from your parents growing up? 
• Do you struggle with expressing your feelings and setting boundaries in your relationships? 
• Are unresolved issues from childhood causing tension and arguments in your adult relationships? 
• Is your life negatively impacted by an over-dependence on alcohol or drugs?
• As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, have you faced rejection and judgment from your family and society?

It's okay to feel this way. You are not alone. In fact, many people struggle with the after-effects of negative experiences, past and present, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and anger issues.

It's not uncommon to carry unresolved childhood trauma into adulthood, impacting every aspect of your life. But there is hope for healing. Through a psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approach, we can work through these emotions and find ways to cope and move forward.

Communication is key in any relationship, but it can be especially challenging when you've grown up in a social and family environment that didn't communicate effectively. If you struggle to express your own needs and boundaries, I can help you learn how to communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships.

Betrayals and broken promises can make it hard to trust others and be vulnerable. But it's important to remember that not everyone is the same. Together, we can work on building trust and learning how to open up in a safe and supportive environment.

As a psychotherapist working with a range of modalities, I can help you work through life's challenges which will enable you to find a path towards healthier relationships, at a professional and personal level. 

If you're worried about being judged or misunderstood, please know that I provide a safe and non-judgmental space for all my clients. 

I also have worked extensively with the LBBTQ+ community and can understand the unique challenges and experiences you may face. I can provide a space where you can feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings so you can work through the trauma of rejection, judgment and misunderstandings and learn how to accept and love yourself for who you are.

I understand the challenges you're facing, and I want to help you break free from the unhealthy patterns of your past. Together, we can explore the root causes of these patterns, work through the unresolved trauma and conflicts that are holding you back and find ways to create new, healthier habits to help you live your best life, creating intergenerational change. 

Together, we'll help you overcome feelings of insecurity and unworthiness, and learn how to express your needs, boundaries, and emotions in healthy ways.

And please don't worry about dredging up painful memories from your past. We'll move at your pace and create a safe and supportive environment for you to express your feelings without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

I understand that some people may be hesitant to seek therapy, but my approach is different. I use a psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approach, which means I'll help you uncover the root of your problems, and we’ll work through them together.

I understand that seeking therapy can be daunting, but it's important to prioritize your mental health and well-being. If you've had bad experiences with therapy in the past, I invite you to give it another try with me. My goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you can feel heard and supported.

Don't let your past family dynamics hold you back any longer. Let's work together towards a happier and healthier future.

I know that time and money can be a concern, but investing in your mental health is an investment in yourself and your future.

If you're ready to break free from the weight of your past and create a brighter future, don't let your objections hold you back from getting the help you need. Let's work together towards a happier and more fulfilling future. 

I offer flexible scheduling options and affordable rates to make therapy accessible to everyone. 

About Elise

I am a psychotherapist who is committed to helping those going through transitions in their lives – voluntary or involuntary – and including LGBTQ+ communities. Using different counselling modalities, I help you learn how to accept and embrace change, look forward and build or discover new opportunities. I believe in working with you and in taking a collaborative approach to help you alleviate your troubles and to reach your goals (usually in around 12 sessions). If you want or need to go deeper, we can take our time and look at the root causes of your hurt and pain, using psychotherapeutic methods, including psychodynamics, psychoanalysis and existential therapy.

I work from the premise that there are external and internal influences that create how we live in and react to the world. That it is a mix of both as creative beliefs that we are not good enough, carrying the burdens and behaviours of the past, that we are somehow broken, not worthy, or at fault. These beliefs create behaviour and thinking patterns that are there to prove to ourselves that these beliefs are right.

As a psychotherapist, it is my role in your life to create a safe, supported space for you to help you, as the expert in your life, to unravel the origins of these beliefs and see if they still apply. 

The therapeutic process is built on trust, unconditional positive regard and compassionate, open-minded listening from the therapist. It is the therapeutic relationship that will be of most benefit to you and therefore therapy will be geared towards your wants, needs and preferences.

I use a wide range of therapeutic modalities to work with you, as I believe that as each person is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all therapy. When we work through your issues or trauma, I apply and adapt Psychodynamic Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, and other focused psychological strategies.

I also facilitate group counselling, in which I work with women going through the [peri-]menopause who are looking for support as I go through this prolonged, impactful change. To join, or find out more about these groups, please schedule a free 20 minute initial assessment by emailing office@mindset.hk.

I am Dutch but born in Germany and raised in Hong Kong, so I had a multicultural, tri-lingual upbringing. My background is in the service industry and in teaching, applicable parts of which influence my psychotherapy methods.

Professional Registrations and Memberships:

I have the following professional memberships/registrations:

• Hong Kong – Registered with the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association and associate member of the Psychotherapy Society of Hong Kong.
• Australia – Certified Practicing Counsellor (Level 2) registered with the Australian Counselling Association.
• United Kingdom – Registered graduate member of the British Psychology Society.

Core Psychology and Psychotherapy Qualifications:

Batchelor of Science (Honours) Psychology with Counselling, First, Open University,  United Kingdom

Master of Counselling, Monash University, Australia

Specialist Training:

I have undertaken and am currently following specialist training from the following institutions: Beck Institute (USA), Internal Family Systems Institute (USA), Pink Therapy (UK), Mental Health Academy (Australia) and Tavistock and Portman, NHS Foundation Trust (UK). 

This gives me the knowledge and skill to work in a range of specialisations and issues:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Distress resulting from
  • dysfunctional upbringing.
  • Trauma
• Self-esteem and self-belief issues.
• Anger (and Violence)
• Life events: bereavement, divorce, empty nest, menopause to name a few

Elise offers counselling sessions in English, German and Dutch.

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Package of 4 Ind Sessions  Package of 4 Couples Sessions

Packages must be used within 12 weeks of the first booking

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Registered & Accredited Counsellor (HK, UK, Australia), Narrative Practitioner

Languages: English. Availability: Wed 4-8pm HKT (online only)

Do you want to break free from substance use, anxiety or other problematic coping methods?

I am a specialist counsellor experienced in helping people separate from anxieties (specific and general), addictions (substance as well as processes such as sex or food), distressed eating and the effects of trauma. This also involves relationship issues, problematic thinking and behaviour patterns, body image and sex, shame and guilt. These problematic coping mechanisms are often tangled up with underlying pain and distress, which remains hidden from us, and I work with clients in a two-step process to resolve this.

I use a variety of counselling modalities to help clients separate from their presenting problems to create relief and space in their lives (normally over the course of 12 sessions). For those who then wish to, I focus psychotherapeutically on the long-term causes of pain and distress using Narrative Therapy over a longer period of time.

I believe we have innate abilities to grow emotionally and self-heal, but our environments (our culture, family of origin, and societal narratives) recruit us into believing this is not the case: that we are not good enough, cannot cope or are in some other way ‘broken’. I see it as my role as a psychotherapist to create a safe and supportive environment where you can explore these issues, build awareness around them and make choices about how to move forward and live your life differently.

I practice from a Narrative position that you are the expert in your life, and by exploring who you are outside of the problem you are facing, we can identify the strengths, knowledge and values needed to work with the discomfort or pain you have been experiencing. I work integratively by drawing from a wide variety of methods to create a treatment in collaboration with you which is specific to you. My trauma work is informed by Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Mindfulness.

As a Group Counsellor, I facilitate support groups for men wishing to separate from unhelpful sexual behaviours and to work through life transitions and other aspects of identity. To find out about joining one, please schedule a free 20-minute assessment by emailing: Chris.Dudgeon.Amindset@gmail.com.

Originally from Scotland, I have enjoyed a varied career, holding leadership positions in global professional service firms, an MBA (UK) and professional finance qualifications (UK and Australia). All of which bring depth and breadth to my psychotherapy work.

Professional registrations and memberships:

I am an internationally trained, qualified and registered Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Narrative Practitioner. I have the following professional memberships/registrations:

• Hong Kong – Registered with the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association.
• Australia – Certified Practicing Counsellor registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia and the Australian Counselling Association.
• United Kingdom – Registered practicing member with the Addiction Professionals Registration Body & Network and member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.

Core Psychotherapy training

• Master of Counselling, Monash University, Australia
• Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, University of Melbourne, Australia

Specialist Training
I have undertaken extensive specialist training delivered by the following institutions: Association for Psychological Therapies (UK), Beck Institute (USA), The Dulwich Centre (Australia), Gottman Institute (USA), Institute for Solutions-Focused Therapy (UK), Monash University (Australia), Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (UK) and University of Melbourne (Australia).

This training has equipped me with specialist knowledge and the skill to work in a range of well-being issues:

• Anxieties – Obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety and social anxiety.
• Addictions – Alcohol and other substances, gambling, internet/gaming and sex/porn.
• Trauma – I have been trained to work in a trauma-informed way to support clients who have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, household dysfunction and other adverse childhood experiences. I have also been trained to work directly with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Distressed eating – Binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa as well as general emotional/distressed eating.

Whilst my primary therapeutic modality is Narrative Therapy, I have also been trained in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectal Behavioural Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.

Non-Psychotherapy Qualifications
Before my psychotherapy training, I worked in professional services for 20 years. I am a CPA (Australia) and Chartered Management Accountant (UK) and have a Master of Business Administration from Henley Business School (University of Reading, UK).

Chris offers psychotherapy and counselling in English.

A free 20-minute intro consultation is available for new clients. Please email Chris.Dudgeon.Amindset@gmail.com for more details.

​If you have any questions, feel free to contact us here.

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