Meet Freda - Singer, Songwriter and Therapist
This interview originally published in our April 2022 newsletter.
What made you want to become a therapist? Are there any areas of focus that you are particularly interested in learning more about?
I’ve always had a passion for connecting with others, connecting with people has been my motivation. I believe we as humans need love and connection and we need spaces where we can express how we feel. I have always prided myself on being an open book who wears her heart on her sleeve. When I was a child I would pretend to be a therapist, I would get my friends to lay on the couch, put on my glasses with my little notebook and ‘’counsel” them. I would encourage them to express what they were feeling and even just let them cry. I remember thinking to myself, “ Maybe when I grow up, I’ll be a therapist.” I knew pursuing a career in social work was the right path for me.
For the past few years, I have been working with Black and racialized youth supporting them and their families. My passion has always been to work with youth and young adults and support them with navigating life stressors, whether that be finding themselves, navigating relationships, or motivating clients to reach their goals. I want to provide a space where clients can let their guard down and begin the healing journey.
If you weren't in your current line of work as a therapist, what do you think you'd be doing?
If I wasn’t a therapist I would pursue a career in music. I am a singer and songwriter creating R&B and neo-soul music. I use my art to express myself and tell my story. I have been performing from a very young age and performing and creating music fuels me. This is why I enjoy bringing music into the therapeutic space, especially if my clients enjoy music as well. Music is truly my therapy.
What areas or approaches are you passionate about?
My therapeutic approach is to first create a safe space where people can express themselves. I want clients to feel safe expressing their feelings and discovering pieces of themselves they've never known about. Music therapy and integrating the arts into the space are two things that I am passionate about. When we have trouble expressing ourselves, music can help bridge the gap and spark conversation.
I believe we are all experts in our own lives, and we simply need to be reminded of that now and then. We may feel isolated at times, yet through expression and connection, we may no longer feel alone. I want to continue to explore Emotionally Focused Therapy and bring that into the therapeutic space so we can continue to build our emotional awareness while also leaning into emotions we are afraid of. With un-comfortability comes understanding and growth.
Do you have a regular wellness practise that promotes balance in your life?
Working out and listening to music are two of my usual wellness practises. Self-care is very important to me, and I make it a point to monitor my emotional clock and take care of myself as necessary. Maintaining an active lifestyle and lifting weights helps me release stress and anxiety while also keeping me motivated and grounded. In addition, I use music, writing, and singing to lift my spirits when I am sad or down. My regular wellness practice encourages me to express what I feel and show love to myself and my body.