Iffah Suraya graduated with a Master’s in Professional Counseling from the University of Malaya. Throughout the years, various relevant pursuits she has been involved in include a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Boston University, being a member of MIASA’s crisis team, a trainee counselor with Querencia Psychological and Consulting Services (now Re:Mind Psychology), writing on mental health topics, research assistant stints, presenting webinars and facilitating workshops to raise awareness, reviewing training modules (YMCA Johor) & blog articles, and a stint as a telemental health consultant.
Her approach to counseling could be described as one that has the sense of self (object relations) in mind, with a focus on providing an understanding of how one’s sense of self (self-esteem) has been affected by psychological maltreatment; toxic shame; prolonged, traumatic stress; criticism; bullying; and rejection, simultaneously emphasizing the active practicing of coping skills to cope with one’s known stressors (whether they haunt you from the past or threaten you right now) using basic cognitive interventions and mindfulness & relaxation skills (and other self-soothing methods like emotional freedom technique and the floatback strategy to consolidate painful memories), along with an emphasis on warm, accepting, and attuned kinds of human interactions (encouraged to get this outside of counseling too).
Using her own mental health experiences, psychology and counseling knowledge, and acquired skills, she looks forward to giving you— a unique person with your own wonderful potential, tendencies, values, desires, and stressors (threats to self-esteem is an intense stressor especially) — the insights, inspiration, and basic tools you need to thrive amidst your everyday challenges.
When she’s not reading and learning about all of the kinds of therapeutic approaches that exist, she’s tuning into people’s life stories, playing the piano, or trying to brush up on her language skills (or eating or walking). Empowering humans to cope is what she tries to do (we all need strategies to deal with our emotions and with life).
To have sessions with her, contact her at 012-9671317.