Richie Sikri

My approach to therapy is grounded in Jungian analysis and narrative practice, and follows a queer affirmative, trauma informed and pleasure positive lens. I acknowledge the fact that culture and society play an important role in the development of an individual, and I encourage these conversations and the impact they can have within practice, too. Through analysis and conversations, I aim to understand the metaphorical process of birth and death that every individual goes through, and how grieving that loss and resolving it is essential for transcending a true sense of self.

My approach in the first few sessions is to get to know the individual and for them to get to know me, so that we can work together to form and set goals that would be beneficial for then client in the long run and can be maintained. The aim for taking time to set goals assists me in being able to understand and take into account certain aspects which may not have crossed the client’s mind, but would be formative in solidifying the long term goals, and that can be reflected fruitfully to the client. The agency in setting goals and expectations lies with the client at the centre of the process, however the collaborative effort in goal setting can set the foundation for the process altogether.

Yes, absolutely! The therapy space is free for you to be as expressive as you’d want, to talk about anything you’d want, whenever you feel ready to do so. If you’d want to explore a deeper sense of self and identity, to just chat and converse, or understand certain patterns of behaviours and work around them, the agency to do it lies with you. I aim to foster a safe and comfortable space which the clients would be able to treat and use as they wish to.

First off, I will say that some level of discomfort is valid and may happen at some point in the therapy process. Here is how I would go about it.
If I’m your therapist, let’s say, and you tell me you feel uncomfortable discussing certain topics, I think I’d ask you to list those topics — just the areas, nothing specific, and I’ll write them down. Then I’ll ask you to rate each topic on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being “just a tiny tad not comfy” and 10 being “bring that up and I’ll run screaming from this office and never return.” I’d write them down with the ratings alongside and show you the sheet to make sure it was all correct.
I’ll then ask you to set some rules for me — how do you want me to handle these topics? Eventually we’ll agree that I’ll ask permission before even mentioning any of the topic with a rating of 6 or above, etc., etc. We will have identified all the areas, most likely areas that “should” be addressed some time, somewhere, and put it in your control as to how, and when, and where, and with whom.
That’s just one way to handle those hot topics, a way that makes them known, a way that shows you trust me to handle them as agreed, etc.
Now we got a fence around the topics, and you control the gate.

There are some ways in which you may be able to see that therapy is working or is effective. It’s important to note though that some changes may not be tangible, but internal.
As you engage in the process, you may gain deeper understanding of your thoughts, feelings, motivations and behaviours. This self-awareness can be a sign of progress. Therapy also aims to aid you in developing better coping strategies and emotional management skills. If you find yourself better able to navigate difficult emotions or situations in a healthier way, that could also be an indication that there is a positive impact. As you uncover and work through the underlying issues driving certain behaviors, you may notice positive changes. For example, you may find yourself engaging in less self-destructive actions or communicating more effectively in relationships. Beyond specific symptoms, you may simply feel more content, fulfilled, and able to navigate life's challenges if the psychoanalytic work is proceeding productively. The therapeutic process is highly individualised, so the specific signs of progress can vary. It’s encouraged to maintain open communication with your therapist about your experience and perception about how therapy is going.

The idea of homework in between sessions is to essentially encourage self-work and build insight within the client. There may be times where certain activities are given or even just that the client is asked to ponder an answer to a question in a manner that encourages deeper thinking and self reflection.
‘Homework’ also helps in reviewing progress for both the therapist and the client themselves, through feedback and open conversations and discussions regarding the material. It acts as a way of also giving your therapist a deeper look into your day-to-day life, as certain assignments may keep you thinking about what to share and how to share throughout the week, providing data to review and also address.
More than anything, the idea behind homework is to empower you. The sense of empowerment one feels from utilising new skills, setting new boundaries and redirecting your own cognitive distortions is something you may not entirely feel in a therapy session. This is something you give to yourself, of your own power, agency, autonomy and strength.