A Holistic Approach to Self-Understanding and Empathy
Understanding how memory, perception, and empathy shape our self-concept is essential for personal transformation.
With a PhD in Literature from the University of Birmingham, a Nalanda Diploma in Buddhist Philosophy from Tibet House, and postgraduate studies in Applied Neuroscience at King’s College London, I bring an interdisciplinary approach to my therapeutic practice.
My research incorporates visual theory, Buddhist meditation, and neuroscience-backed techniques, such as neurolinguistic programming (NLP), expressive writing, and hypnotherapy, to help clients reframe their narratives with empathy and resilience.
Visual Theory, Empathy, and Literature’s Role in Transformation
1. How Literature Enhances Empathy in Therapy
Literature cultivates empathy by immersing readers in diverse perspectives, which is central to psychological therapies. My thesis examined how 19th and 20th-century writers like Baudelaire, Wilde, and T.E. Hulme used fragmented and symbolic imagery to reflect complex urban experiences, fostering emotional connection. Engaging with stories allows readers to connect emotionally, deepening empathy and social understanding—essential components in psychological therapies.
Dr. Jamil Zaki at Stanford University supports the idea that empathy can be cultivated through narratives, reinforcing a core element of psychotherapeutic success: empathy-driven connection. Engaging with literary stories in therapy enables clients to connect with various human experiences, enhancing adaptability, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Research by Dr. Zaki shows that narrative immersion builds empathy, a skill I help clients apply to reshape their relationships and inner dialogue, deepening self-compassion.
2. Reframing the Self: From Industrial Modernity to Psychological Growth
My doctoral work explored how urbanization in the 19th century reshaped self-perception, a concept echoed by modern neuroscience research. Dr. Charan Ranganath’s studies show that the brain’s memory system is influenced by attention and concentration. What we choose to focus on impacts both our memories and our present experiences.
Using NLP techniques, I help clients intentionally focus on specific memories, reframing them to foster positive and empowering self-beliefs, much like urban authors who transformed their surroundings into new modes of empathetic engagement.
3. Hypnotherapy and Expressive Writing: Shaping Self-Narratives
Just as authors used fragmented imagery to explore inner worlds, hypnotherapy and expressive writing empower clients to reinterpret memories. Milton Erickson’s hypnotherapy techniques focus on subconscious reframing, encouraging individuals to resolve limiting beliefs. Meanwhile, Dr. James Pennebaker’s research on expressive writing shows that writing about past experiences clarifies emotions, reduces stress, and enhances resilience. Expressive writing turns disjointed and emotionally charged experiences into cohesive narratives.
I integrate Erickson’s hypnotherapy with Pennebaker’s writing protocols to help clients process complex emotions, building a cohesive self-narrative and deepening self-awareness.
4. NLP, Buddhist Meditation, and Memory Reframing
Similar to how literary techniques convey complex urban life, NLP and Buddhist meditation enable clients to develop empathy and self-regulation. Buddhist meditation fosters mindful awareness and concentration, allowing clients to observe their inner narratives without attachment. NLP supports the intentional reframing of memories, promoting compassionate self-perceptions.
These practices enhance continuity of the self, transforming fragmented memories into empowering stories that support personal growth.
Integrating Literature, Neuroscience, and Buddhist Practice for Growth
By uniting literature, neuroscience, and Buddhist philosophy, I offer clients a pathway to reimagine their experiences, deepen empathy, and build resilience.
This interdisciplinary approach encourages clients to transform inner narratives through empathy, self-awareness, and mindfulness, creating a compassionate and empowered self-narrative.