Meet Chedi, a postgraduate Flinders student currently enrolled in the Master of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (now known as the Master of Counselling program).
While growing up in a family that openly discussed mental health and with a father who volunteered in suicide prevention, Chedi developed a profound understanding of others’ struggles and strengths. This experience fuelled his drive to help people work towards being the best version of themselves. Drawing from his own journey of overcoming mental health challenges, he is determined to be a guiding light for others.
“I consider my purpose in life being to help other people and support them to work towards being the best version of themselves. Bearing witness to the growth of other people and walking alongside them is something I consider an important aspect of who I am as a person.”
Arriving at Flinders Bedford Park campus from his home in Sri Lanka, Chedi was thankful for the welcoming environment he encountered.
“Flinders is a growth-oriented, ethical, and student-focused institution that offers quality education, and stimulates independent, critical thinking and knowledge building. I feel supported as a student, and coming to university every day still excites me.”
The University’s commitment to holistic growth, coupled with world-class facilities and a picturesque campus surrounded by nature, made studying at Flinders an exceptional decision. Chedi describes his learning experience at Flinders as nothing short of transformative.
“I have found myself embracing new perspectives, unlearning attitudes, and certain biases that I came with, and I find genuine enjoyment in learning.
There are a great deal of opportunities to step outside of my comfort zone, and the fact that lecturers encourage myself and other students to experiment, to try new skills are all factors that stimulate progress and improvement as a trainee counsellor.”
The practical placements during his course have also played a crucial role in shaping Chedi’s skills and knowledge. Currently focused on Low-Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, he provides coaching to individuals experiencing anxiety and depression. This placement serves as a supportive environment for Chedi to fine-tune his abilities while receiving constructive feedback in regular supervision sessions.
“The feedback I receive every week really helps shape my practice. There are difficult days and challenging sessions, and the knowledge that there is an encouraging academic team supporting me, keeps me going.”
Looking ahead, Chedi envisions a fulfilling career as a Low-Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. His passion extends to suicide prevention and crisis intervention, with a desire to work closely with first responders and address their mental health needs.
Become the guiding force that empowers individuals to be the best versions of themselves. Learn more about the Master of Counselling program and take the first step towards a rewarding career in mental health.