What Resilient Living is all about

Hi, I’m Monica, and I’ve spent my life immersed in the complexities of mental health and the human experience.  I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and a PhD in Educational Psychology, which have deepened my understanding of how people learn, grow, and build resilience.  With over two decades of experience in mental health, I’ve focused on areas such as trauma, gender-based violence, adolescents, resilience, and mental wellbeing. I have had the opportunity to work with individuals, families, practitioners, and communities to enhance their mental health and wellbeing. These experiences have given me deep insight into the challenges people face and the strength they hold to overcome them.

Relationships are a cornerstone of my life. My family is my foundation, and I’m incredibly grateful for the life-long friendships I’ve built over the years. These friendships, with people I consider my tribe, have provided me with support, laughter, and shared growth. I deeply value the connections that help us navigate life’s highs and lows, and I bring this understanding into my coaching practice, where fostering meaningful connections is central to building resilience.

Having lived in three countries across two continents and worked with people from over 20 nations, I bring a transcultural understanding to coaching. These experiences have taught me the beauty of human diversity and the importance of understanding that every person is unique. Our experiences, challenges, and paths to growth are deeply personal, and the solutions we seek must be tailored to our individual lives.

As a mother of a teenager, I’ve seen firsthand the mental health challenges children face in today’s world. In addition, my PhD focused on exploring the links between resilience and mental health outcomes among adolescents which provided me with an in-depth understanding of the factors impacting on adolescent wellbeing and how resilience can be enhanced. 

My personal and professional experiences have reinforced my belief that each of us has the capacity to build a resilient life when equipped with the right tools and guidance. Through Resilient Living, my goal is to help you unlock your potential, gain the knowledge and skills you need, and create a life where you can thrive—mentally, emotionally, physically, and in connection with others. Let’s work together to uncover your unique strengths and build the resilient, balanced life you deserve.

My mission is simple yet profound: to empower individuals to lead resilient, balanced lives.
With expertise in mental health and specialized resilience training, I offer a personalized coaching experience tailored just for you.

My approach is not one-size-fits-all—it’s designed around your unique needs and aspirations. Together, we’ll create a confidential and reflective space where you can step back and evaluate what’s working in your life, what isn’t, and uncover the "why."

I partner with motivated individuals seeking personal growth, deeper self-awareness, and the resilience to thrive in the face of life’s challenges. Through our work, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and a renewed perspective, empowering you to show up stronger and more self-assured every day.

Are you ready to take the first step toward transformation? Let’s begin your journey. 

I bring to you a background in counselling psychology, trauma treatment, adolescent mental health, and evidence-informed approaches to enhancing mental health. Here is a sample of my professional background:

• Provision of therapeutic services to survivors of complex traumas and violence
• Community-based work on conflict resolution and enhanced mental health and psychosocial support
• Group work with parents of children victims of sexual violence
• Development of contextually-based, locally informed therapeutic intervention for victims of violence
• Training of educational, social, security, and health workforce on how to integrate mental health support and self-care
• PhD in Educational Psychology - Focused on resilience and mental health among adolescents.
• M.A. in Counselling Psychology 

Additional certificates obtained: 

• “Active Conflict   Transformation – Conflict Resolution & Mediation” from I-ACT 
• “Advanced Trauma Treatment   for Trauma Survivors: Level I” from SAITS 
• “Trauma Treatment and Prevention Through Community-Based Interventions” from SAITS 
• "Cyberlife as a Domain of Development in Children" - Impact Learning
• "Working With Children – An Ethics Framework" - Impact Learning
• "COVID-19 - integrating gender based violence risk mitigation" - UNICEF
• "Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)" - UNICEF