Ms Jamie Bhana, BSocSci

Hi! I'm Jamie! I am an ASCHP registered specialist wellness counsellor, Maters (in community mental health promotion) graduate and an Integrative Developmental and Behavioral instructor (for neurodiverse children) looking for an opportunity to work within the mental health field. I have started a start-up mental health practice, The Authentic Project, with a multidisciplinary team. The goal of the start-up is to create a platform for affordable counselling and at-home developmental and behavioural support for neurodiverse children. In addition, within the community mental health sphere, we strive to empower communities by creating initiatives that fit their contextual needs. This is to ensure that communities that have been socially, economically and politically excluded have access to resources such as mental health care. As a mental health professional, I aim to create a safe environment (within the counselling, behavioural support and community mental health space) to meet the needs of each group and better their functionality. I approach my clients with understanding and compassion. This allows for the exploration of their personal experiences in order to unpack the barriers that are preventing adequate functioning and being within the world. In a similar breadth, I approach neurodiverse children with a child-centered approach (using play) to aid them in developing functional behaviours. The goal is to create a non-judgmental environment, filled with acceptance and empathy. Positions wherein I flourish are counselling (through a person-centered approach, using integrative techniques e.g. CBT), psychological content writing/creation, providing integrative developmental and behavioral support/therapy sessions to neurodiverse children and collaborating with other organizations/companies to develop mental health programmes, workshops and intervention. These traits and skills are what my colleagues at The Authentic Project hold, as well.