About
Hello, I'm Charis.
I am a psychotherapist in Singapore with over 25 years of experience in trauma-informed, strength-based therapy. My life's mission is to bring health and wholeness to individuals and organisations.
My specialisation is identity-based work. I am drawn to paradox and to the dynamics between people: the places where identities and tensions meet. I have found that wisdom and maturity grow when we stop trying to resolve these tensions and learn to hold them well.
- Trauma-informed
- Strength-based
- Identity-based work
- 25+ years of practice
How I work
Intervening at the source
I believe that when the original wound is attended to, and a person heals from it, the effects ripple outward like a domino effect. Their functioning improves, they grow healthier and more whole, and they are able to show up wholeheartedly for themselves and for the people in their lives.
Two approaches sit at the heart of my work.
Inner child work
Many of our patterns began in childhood, as clever ways of coping. Inner child work gently reconnects you with those younger parts, so they can finally receive the care, safety and understanding they needed.
Identity-Oriented Psychotrauma Theory (IoPT)
Developed by Prof. Franz Ruppert, IoPT understands trauma as something that divides our sense of self. The work helps you recognise these parts and rebuild a clearer, healthier identity from within.
Our first session
Understanding how you came to be you
In our first session I explain the stance I hold as a therapist or coach, so you know clearly how we will work together, and you have space to ask anything you wish.
We then map out your family genogram. In a short time, this lets me gather a rich picture of your psychosocial, emotional and mental history, and see your functioning template. The first relationships in our lives, with the first man and first woman, usually our parents or main caregivers, form much of that template.
From this I can see where the wounds and pain points are, what units of work we can take on together, and where to begin. I also draw on attachment styles to understand how best to work with you, and I weave in personal effectiveness so that healing translates into everyday life.
Qualifications
Training & experience
Over 25 years of work with people of diverse backgrounds and at different stages of life.
Experience
- Director & Founder, PsychotherapistThe Paradoxical Life (since 2015)
- Leadership Coach & Community Group FacilitatorObama Foundation Leaders Asia-Pacific Programme (since 2022)
- Parenting & Mental Wellness CoachA*STAR INFUSE (since 2017)
- Associate TrainerROHEI Learning & Consulting (since 2017)
- Senior CounsellorCare Corner Counselling Centre (2013–2015)
- Manager, Senior Social WorkerFei Yue Family Service Centre
- Family Life EducatorFocus on the Family (2006–2012)
- Columnist on teens and tweens, The Star Malaysia (2010–2013)
Education & training
- Master's in CounsellingEdith Cowan University
- Degree in Social Work and EconomicsNational University of Singapore
- Postgraduate Diploma in Family and Marital TherapySolution Focused Brief Therapy Center Milwaukee
- IoPT Facilitator & TherapistCentre for Healthy Autonomy UK (2017–2021)
- Ongoing supervision with Prof. Franz Ruppert on Identity Oriented Psychotrauma Therapy (2019–2024)
- iGOLDInternational Gestalt Organisation and Leadership Development Programme (2023–2024)