I am a generalist overseas-trained psychiatrist, with many interests: I work on a mother and baby unit, in an endometriosis and pelvic pain team, do private practice where I mostly work with first responders, I provide psychodynamic psychotherapy and EMDR, I am trained in psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. These are just a few of my favourite things. (Insert song tune from The Sound of Music…)

The common denominator is well-being. What I am passionate about is well-being. This is partly why I am a doctor and psychiatrist, of course. My interest in well-being goes beyond caring for people who find themselves unwell. I care deeply about those who care for others. That they remain well, and that they return to wellness as soon as possible, if/when not well. Of course, a healthy and well practitioner, will be much more effective in helping others be well. 

During my training I completed research on “what happens when the doctor becomes the patient”. As I am a psychiatrist with interest in psychodynamics, this was centred around the interpersonal and intrapersonal changes that occur once you become a patient, and once you find yourself providing care to a peer. I learned about our vulnerabilities and our poor ability to be vulnerable. 

As my career progressed, it became evident to me, that most people working in health care have these vulnerabilities, not just doctors. Most, if not all, health care workers want to do a good job, prioritise others’ needs over their own and will postpone or even sacrifice their own gratification/care/wishes/needs for the greater good. We all find it difficult to truly look after ourselves. At times, we don’t even know what that would or should look like. Added onto that, is that we work in a system that historically has not encouraged or promoted the self-care culture of its members. It continues to demand and continues to expect.

To support us – health care workers, I have started organising health practitioner retreats. These are one-day escapes, or retreats of several nights. During this time away from the everyday demands, we make time to reconnect to ourselves (both mind and body) and to others, through reflection, mindful meditation, yoga, evaluating our values and purpose, connecting to similar others and shared dialogue. There is space to explore renewed goal-setting, leadership culture and aspiration, and reignite self-care practices within mindful presence.

I believe that when we all grow into individual masters of our being-well and live true to those principles, this causes a ripple effect. Others will get inspired to become masters of their well-being and they again inspire others. A system, where its member are all well-being masters, will then turn into a collective workspace that not only values its dear members, but encourages and supports its members to be leaders in well-being. We will be a healthy and well collective. 

This is my aim. To create masters, individually and organisationally. One person at a time. I hope you feel inspired to take the plunge into mindful presence with yourself, to connect with what is really important. And if you would like some extra support and gentle guidance, please reach out.