Hi, I'm Saphea, and I'm so glad you're here.

Let's get to know each other a little.

My dad tells me that when I was born, I didn't cry like most newborn babies seeing the world for the first time do. I just looked around the room, took in my surroundings, and then calmly went to sleep. As I grew up, this nature of mine didn't change much. I was a super observant child, not much got by me if it had my attention. This is often still true! As a kid, outside of my home I was quiet, described by my teachers as "pensive" (thank you Mr Francis for teaching me a new word that day), and I found navigating friendships difficult. So instead, I spent a lot of time observing the world around me, often noticing the subtleties in people that others missed – whether they were quietly amused, uncomfortable, hiding their hurt, had something on their mind, or were excited and trying not to show it. I found (find) understanding people fascinating. I'd probably be a pretty good poker player, if I knew how to play! I often had a sense of what a person might need or the kind of questions they needed to be asked, usually before they knew it themselves. I learned a lot about people this way.

Over time, I found the confidence to slide into the world of team sports and activities, came out of my shell, and my observant nature turned into a passion for understanding people better and connecting meaningfully. This led me to pursue a degree in psychology, followed by a master's degree in neuroscience, all while building beautiful connections with people and lowering my own anxiety index. And so, here I am, with a career dedicated to supporting others in leading less anxious, more connected, and fulfilling lives.

With over a decade of experience, I've had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of clients, providing person-centred and evidence-based therapies. In 2020, I embraced the digital era to make my services more accessible, offering online coaching so clients could connect with me from the comfort of their homes or wherever they felt comfortable. This practice continued even after the pandemic ended, as I noticed how much benefit my clients were deriving from accessing their coaching in this way. Being able to meet virtually has allowed for greater flexibility and convenience, ensuring that support is always within reach, no matter where they are.

While I am grateful to be trained in various therapies for mental health, I love the hands-on approach that coaching offers. Therapies are incredibly useful and they do form a part of the way I coach, but they don't always allow for the same connection that coaching does. The role of a therapist is heavily boundaried, which is important for many reasons. However, I believe that the relationship you build with your coach is vital, and coaching provides the space to cultivate this purposeful connection very effectively. This is why I chose to pivot from solely traditional therapy to coaching with the support of therapeutic principles where needed. I find that I'm better able to support my clients in achieving their personal goals this way – and as a bonus, this style suits me more too.

I've been closely touched by many of the issues I help my clients navigate personally. With family members and friends managing different conditions throughout my life, I understand these challenges on a personal level. I am also no stranger to managing high levels of stress, anxiety, and disordered eating myself. As a quiet child, I found my voice through sports and other activities, which helped me to come out of my shell. Before that, I struggled to connect with other children and maintain relationships – something I still check in with myself about regularly. I say all of this to say, what I do really does matter to me.

I know how hard it can be to reach out for help, but I'm here to make that step a little easier. Now that you know me a little better, I want to hear from you. Let's connect and start your journey together! I can't wait to support you every step of the way.