Thivya is a Senior Psychologist. In addition to her role in the private sector, she has had experience working as a senior psychologist at a social service organisation (SSO), where she was predominately working with children with special needs, aged 3 to 18 years old.

She previously worked as a research assistant in projects by the National Institute of Education (NIE) and Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE) at Nanyang Technological University. She administered the BRIGANCE IED III Protocol for children at childcares, for the FACES-EIPIC Impact Study. She also played a role in researching for assessment tools, assisting to develop the Singapore Reading MAZE test (SRMT) and conducting and scoring assessment tools at mainstream schools for the Translating Education Neuroscience in Singapore Schools NRF project. She has also conducted training for teachers and for other part time Research Assistants involved in the study.

Thivya has had training in administering cognitive and adaptive assessments for school readiness evaluations, mental capacity evaluations for assisted deputyship programme (ADAP), dynamic assessments to evaluate learning potential and assess for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Thivya’s therapeutic interventions are guided by a range of therapeutic principles to work across the various age groups. She has had training in conducting The Incredible Years - Child Group Leader for social skills and problem solving curriculum. She also uses principles from Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy for children and adolescents, Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART), Trauma focused CBT, Attachment Regulation Competency (ARC) Framework, and Bringing Up Great Kids Parenting Programme.

Thivya works with clients across various age groups on the following areas:

• Anxiety
• Behavioural difficulties
• Emotional Regulation
• Depression and Self-Harm
• Mood related issues
• Trauma and ACEs (adversive childhood experiences)
• Attachment and parenting skills
• Stress management and wellbeing

As a psychologist, Thivya believes in approaching any intervention or assessment, in a holistic manner and advocating for the need to triangulate clinical information to better understand a client’s situation and needs. Her passions lie in the areas of treatment of trauma. This dates back to her research on Childhood Trauma; specifically, the impact of Self-Compassion and Resilience Factors on Mental Health. More recently, she is focused on understanding adverse childhood experiences that children with special needs face and the attachment related issues and burnout that parents/caregivers face. The attachment and trauma lens of her clinical practice allows her to understand the child from a holistic perspective which allows post traumatic growth for the child and family.