01 Christine Shalala Psychotherapy
About Me
Hello! My name is Christine Shalala.
I am the founder and CEO of this clinic. I am also a mother to two beautiful girls. Though they challenge my parenting skills from time to time, yet I cherish my role as a mother. I enjoy watching my kids grow through their teenage years whilst their journey shapes them into leaders of the future.
My interest in counselling grew after embarking on a career in education. I was a primary teacher for eight consecutive years in one of the well-renowned schools in Beirut. I loved working with children as an English teacher but my interest in education grew to embrace the psychological aspect of human development and learning styles. As, thus, I received extensive training in Counselling and Psychotherapy, in 2009, and have successfully completed a Masters in this area, in 2022.
Throughout my studies, I developed special interest in multicultural counselling. While the belief systems of many multicultural communities are built on ‘male dominance’ and ‘social status’, it may seem almost impossible for women to achieve some autonomy and interdependence in these communities. I made this topic the focus of my research and I developed the MULTIFACETED MODEL of PERSONALITY to support women who have been coerced to make choices non-aligned with their values and principles due to the hierarchical structuring of these systems.
There are not many counselling services that provide support for individuals who experience “coercive control” as it is a very complex, culturally sensitive issue. Yet, I am a proud service provider for women who have been negatively impacted by this type of abuse due to two combined elements. First my lived experience of how I navigated “coercive control”, and second due to my acquisition of the skills of applying techniques from Counselling and Psychotherapy while taking into consideration the contextual factors impacting women’s personality development and growth.
What is Coercive Control ?
Coercive control is a form of domestic violence (DV) that aims to control the mind and emotions of the person on the receiving end of the relationship, so the person being controlled within the relationship surrenders their will to the other party in the relationship and achieve their goals.
If you or someone you know is experiencing ‘coercive control’ and/or is impacted by its long-term implications on your health and sense of wellness, this service is here to guide you and support you on a restorative journey. To find your purpose and motivation again can be a huge milestone in your life and of course a turning point when considering the risks of not dealing with the root cause of depression and anxiety you may be experiencing right now.
This clinical service came to exist from the outpouring of a caring heart to our community. No one should suffer alone. It is well-agreed among all mental health services that the root cause of all mental health issues is the lack of social support that leaves the individual vulnerable to predators of domestic violence. This service is here to support you on your mental health journey and to help you reintegrate in the community and restore your health and wellbeing.