“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. ”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Desieree
Makalew
It’s nice to meet you.
If you only have 30 second!
…and if you have more than 30 seconds….
This page used to be started with my degrees and credentials, but I find it ironic because it seems distant. I want this page to show who I am and how I work with my clients.
I want this page to help you make a decision if you want to journey with me, not just because of the list of things that I’ve studied and done, but also because of who I am, as a person.
PS: I did list those degrees and credentials at the end, for those interested :)
“Nanakorobi yaoki (七転び八起き) - “fall seven times, stand up eight”
What has inspired me to do this?
My keen interest in performance started way back when I was around 9 years old, playing competitive tennis under the supervision of my coach and my late father. Back then, I didn't understand the importance of mental strength and resilience, so I often gave up. Growing up in a critical environment made me very self-critical.
Fast forward… as an adult, my working experiences in high-pressure and result-oriented financial and commodity industries showed me how crucial it is to control my emotions, manage my inner critic, and build mental strength and resilience, all while taking care of my well-being. Did I mention how the pressure affected my relationship as well? Looking back, those experiences are my teachers! They brought me to be who I am today.
Your path is uniquely yours; it is different from mine, but I want you to know that I’ve been there and fought my way to where I am today.
The next question, probably, how do I reach here?
This strong interest and passion RE:Ignite my motivation to study counselling and psychotherapy. I must confess that I often overthink, as the saying, “Analyse until paralyze”. It took time for me to listen more to my heart and find a balance between my thoughts and feelings. I'm happy to share what I've learnt so you don’t have to stay stuck in unproductive cycles of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors like I did.
After completing my Master’s degree in Psychology, I become intensely curious and drawn to developmental trauma and emotional regulation. I come to understand (as well as supported by research) that improving our emotional regulation can lead to better relationships, better-coping skills for daily stress, and enhanced performance (Gross, 2006; Dingle et al., 2016, Millgram et al., 2019). This knowledge motivates me to research Emotional Regulation as a PhD student.
I am excited to journey with those who are finding their path and are ready to make changes.
Last but not least…..Do I know what I am doing?
I have been journeying with my individual clients since 2015, helping them to find clarity and RE:Ignite the fire within to have a more fulfilled life. I started working with couple clients since 2018 to help them improve their communication and have a better understanding of their relationship.
I am a full member of the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS), Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors Singapore (APACS), International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), and a graduate member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
A bit more about me…
I am conversant in English and Bahasa Indonesia and can speak some Japanese and Mandarin. In my free time, I enjoy being with my loved ones, taking landscape photos, relaxing with a cup of coffee, exercising, and knitting :) You can also find me “camping” at a library and reading random books! I love sports… tennis, F1, soccer, and the list continues….
The studying and working experiences in France, Japan and Indonesia, before settling down in Singapore, have also taught me how culture influences the meaning of life and how to navigate through it. These valuable experiences also taught me how to respect differences in my clients.
We are unique individuals in our way.
PhD Candidate, Applied Psychology – Social Media and Emotion Regulation
Certified Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP 1 & 2)
ADHD - Certified Clinical Services Provider ((ADHD-CCSP)
Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1, 2, & 3 Clinical Training
EFIT and EFCT Therapist
IFS Informed Therapist – IFS Circle – IFS Institute
Trained in CBT and DBT
Conversation
”Money build or break your relationship?”
Sounds familiar?
Find out more tips for better money conversations through my conversation on Teatime Tuesday with Phillips Securities Pte Ltd on Couples’s Guide to Financial Harmony.
Let’s get to the heart of what makes you, YOU!
Let’s have a chat!
