Arwa Asma
Coach
I specialise in:
About me
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:
- Insight into the roots of our psyche and how we carry our wounds in the present day.
- Heal the emotional wounds of our past so that we can see the landscape of our lives with fresh eyes
- 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.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
I use a whole person, culture sensitive approach with my clients - the mind, body and spirit connection and integrate different person centered, humanistic coaching and counselling modalities from my skill set and training.
This means that as a coach, I also include somatic principles in coaching, focusing (felt sense), existential coaching, mindfulness based interventions and positive psychology interventions to facilitate the client in creating the change they would like. My approach is processed focused, which means that we process whatever is coming up for the client, so that the client can get a deeper awareness into where they are, where they would like to go and how they can begin to move in that direction. Benefits from coaching: Clarity in decision making Increased focus and motivation Deeper insight into the bigger whys Deeper understanding into your core values and needs Awareness into limiting beliefs Mindsets that support you in creating the life you want Visioning to be able to create a life you want Action steps towards your goals
As a counsellor, I integrate talk based cognitive approaches, movement based somatic approaches and mindfulness based approaches to process emotions and put them in perspective so that you can find a sense of acceptance, make sense of the varied and conflicting whirlpool of emotions, integrate the emotions in the broader narrative of your lives, to be able to create a new normal. I use therapeutic yoga approaches for relaxation, fatigue, stress, broken heart syndrome, lack of sleep, anxiety, situational depression, hormonal issues and for strengthening the immune system. I use humor with my clients. How I work: If you would like to work with me you can book a free 20 minute introductory call to see if we are a good fit and in that I can briefly explain how we will work and how the sessions will benefit you. The first session after that is a full verbal intake which lasts from 60 to 70 minutes.
