Priya Jean Alexander

Priya Jean Alexander

Priya is an experienced counsellor who works with adults (aged 20 and above) across a spectrum of issues including depression, anxiety, work stress and life transitions. She specializes in working with couples across various relationship issues like infidelity, mutual separation, and sex and intimacy concerns. She is a certified Sex and Relationship Therapist. Her work within systemic frameworks has assisted Priya in building expertise in relationship matters through individual, couple and family structures.

Prior to becoming a counsellor, Priya worked in corporate roles for over 20 years including stints as the Managing Director of a 120-person multinational organization, creating global strategy for one of the world’s largest advertisers, and pioneering international outreach in a government agency. She has a personal understanding of the challenges of professional stress and transitions. Priya now provides corporate leadership support and coaching to clients facing professional challenges.

Priya practises a range of client-centred approaches to facilitate positive change. She integrates Cognitive Behavioural approaches with Acceptance and Commitment therapy to enhance psychological flexibility and re-discover identity. She incorporates Gottman methods and Emotionally-Focused work to uncover strengths in connection and dismantle negative relationship cycles. Through this work Priya assists clients in shifting unproductive patterns through empathetic and supportive processing.

Priya is a regular volunteer with the Women’s Helpline run by Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE). She attends to crisis calls, provides an empathetic listening ear, empowers callers and connects them with important resources. Priya is LGBTQ+ affirming and believes that everyone deserves to be heard and respected.

Please contact me at: [email protected]

Website: priyajean.com

Profession

Counsellor

Specialities

ANXIETY AND PANIC DISORDERS
DEPRESSION
GENERAL RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGES (FAMILY, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS)
LGBTQIA+
TRAUMA AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
PERSONAL GROWTH AND SELF-ESTEEM
ADHD/ADD
LIFE TRANSITIONS
MARRIAGE AND PARTNERSHIPS
DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE
PARENTING
GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH
WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH (PREGNANCY, INFERTILITY AND POST-PARTUM)
MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH
GRIEF AND LOSS
RACE AND ETHNICITY
SEX AND INTIMACY
SELF-HARM AND SUICIDAL FEELINGS
RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY

Finances

$$

Training

  • Master of Counselling

What kinds of treatment or therapy do you provide?

  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
  • Exposure Therapy
  • Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Couple Therapy
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive therapy
  • Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
  • Gender Therapy

What language can you conduct the session in?

English

What was your path to becoming a therapist?

I spent about 20 years in the marketing and advertising field before a bout of illness caused me to take a break. I decided to assess where I had come from and where I was going, professionally. After extensive introspection, I realised that I truly wanted to be in the helping profession. This led to a mid-career switch to counselling. I completed my Masters and now am building my practice as a counsellor.

What are you most excited about within the evolving mental health landscape?

That in Singapore, mental health is starting to become part of a more accepted and open national conversation. Increased empathy in the general population can only help normalize what has, for so long, been stigmatized.

What do you do to continue learning and building competencies as a provider?

I continuously seek knowledge by attending trainings, reading journals and psychology-related books, as well as discussing cases with other experienced mental health professionals through formal supervision sessions. I also read fiction - storytelling and imagination allows us to be creative with our approaches; always beneficial when supporting clients on their journey.

What kind of training have you had in working with the LGBTQ population?

I have worked with many people who identify across the gender spectrum, in an individual and couples context. I have also participated in queer-focused training to better understand the challenges and struggles faced by this community. I firmly believe that a person's sexuality should never be judged, nor should it preclude anyone from the life they choose. I have always been and will always be an ally.

What should someone know about working with you?

I practice a client-directed style of therapy, creating a comfortable base to start your counselling journey. I believe in empowering my clients, not directing them. All services I provide are open to non-traditional forms and presentations. I work with clients across the gender spectrum.

How do your own core values shape your approach to therapy?

Courage and collaboration are two values I hold dear and are key to how I shape my choices. As a client myself, I know the fear that can accompany big transitions, or coping with unexpected situations, courage and collaboration allow for magic to happen in the therapy room. My third core value is integrity - to 'Do No Harm' and do the right thing by my clients, always.