Arwa Asma

I am interested in adult development - how adults develop through life and deal with transitions, identity issues, self perception, grief, loss and existential issues (purpose and meaning), trauma, attachment wounds, agency and make authentic choices. I believe the goal of therapeutic intervention is to make sense of one’s life and construct a coherent narrative that aligns with one’s real self or true self. According to certain psychoanalysts the real self or true self is one rooted in authentic values and allows us to shoulder the responsibilities of life with courage and integrity. I use theory and research based findings, from interrelated fields of academia - (feminist) psychoanaytic theories, trans-national feminism, adult development, anthropology, existential psychology, social psychology, somatic psychology, humanistic fields of psychology, criminology, neuroscience, and archetypical mythology to inform my practice. I apply the above findings to different modalities that I am trained in like person centered process coaching, expressive art therapy, grief counseling, existential coaching, Yoga Therapy, somatic positive psychology interventions. I believe in a three part process when working with constructing a self-narrative: 1. Insight into the roots of our psyche and how we carry our wounds in the present day. 2. Heal the emotional wounds of our past so that we can see the landscape of our lives with fresh eyes 3. Understand where we are in life and where do we want to go (practically as well as from an abstract perspective) and build awareness in ourselves in every moment so that we can walk that journey. I also work using a Jungian approach, esp. influenced by the work of Dr. Polly Young, existential kink meditations by Dr. Carolyn Elliot, and other post jungians. I grew up in the Middle East (Dubai) have lived in three continents, speak five languages, am a single mother, a stand up Comedian, divorced.