I started practicing as a counsellor in 2013 in Malaysia and moved to the UK in 2019. As a registered counsellor (BACP 00954738/382049) I also work as a mental health adviser for young adutls in higher education sector in the UK.
Prior to all this, I lived as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka for twenty years and inherited a fair share of valuable life experiences from that chapter of my life. Growing up as monk, I received very traditional education which I later used to access formal education that included psychology and couselling. I left the monkhood to pursue worldly happiness of raising a family which I am enjoying at the moment.
Based on my work with people in the UK for the past three years, I am seeing my past personal and professional life experienes are blending to form a unique style of cousnelling. In this style, I find ways to improvise as we do back home so that I am able to help the person awaken themselves to utilise all the ingredients they bring into the sessions. The darker the materials, the more broken the pieces are... the better! Losses, betrayals, setbacks, hesitations, overthinking... all these are in my practice recycled into solid building materials that we are going to use for the collaborative rebuilding task ahead. As Yalom has said it is very hard for the grandma to explain how she made that stew so declicious. All we know is that she threw in some ingredients from time to time. I think counselling is like that.
But to leave you with some certainty... I would be a good fit for you if you are struggling to find purpose, motivation or direction in life. So this include career, education or even spirituality. I can also be useful in talking to if you are grieving or going through a dramatic change in life. I have also seen myself working effectively with people who have declared war on themselves. I am talking about lack of self-love, confidence or esteem. One more thing, as an ex-monk, I am no way a relationship expert. However, people who struggle in relationship domain also have benefited from my work (as individuals, not as couples though!).
Lastly, if you decided to come on board, that decision is going to improve my life as well. All the best wishes!
Additional areas of focus: Compassion fatigue, Attachment issues, Codependency, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Multicultural Concerns, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy
BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP #382049
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Chandana Rathnayake . We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Chandana is really understanding with my situation and has been very helpful. He has offered me the opportunity to look at things from another perspective.
Written on Sep 15, 2024 after therapy with Chandana for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coaching
Extremely calm and understanding. He takes the time to listen and genuinely strives to understand your situation. Highly recommended!
Written on Jul 19, 2024 after therapy with Chandana for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, and coping with life changes
Chandana has a fantastic way of giving me space and time to air my thoughts and concerns, even if I'm unsure of specifically what my actual concern is. He is patient and explains his thoughts in simplistic ways (even when the idea is complex), while also pushing me to find the answer myself as opposed to just telling me what he believes the correct answer is. I could not recommend him more.
Written on Jul 12, 2024 after therapy with Chandana for 2 weeks on issues concerning intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes
Chandana is very insightful and helpful. I have had 3 sessions so far and he really helps me understand things better. He also gives me helpful tips that aid me in resolving problems. I really like working with him.
Written on Jun 16, 2024 after therapy with Chandana for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and self esteem
Chandana is an amazing therapist. I have worked with multiple different therapists over the years and I feel his approach and expertise have been the best I have seen. He explains things extremely well and gets to the root cause of the issues. It’s been life changing for me working with him.
Written on Jun 09, 2024 after therapy with Chandana for 9 months
Namal is excellent. Really great perspective, has been a significant amount of help to me.
Written on Jan 12, 2024 after therapy with Chandana for 6 months on issues concerning addictions, family conflicts, and anger management