My name is Omar Hussein, MA, RCC (he/him). Currently, I practice Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with elements of Person Centered Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy.
I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC to immigrant parents from Kenya and Uganda. As a result, I consider myself bicultural, which involves having to balance the cultural traditions of my family with the expectations that come with living in a Western society. While this can no doubt be difficult to navigate, I learned that having different viewpoints can be advantageous and make our lives much more colourful in the long run. Our identity, no matter how unique and diverse, is something I believe we should take pride in and seek to understand. This is especially true when making decisions about our career, education and personal relationships.
In 2015, I completed my BA in History and Humanities at Simon Fraser University. Initially, I had aspirations to complete my Masters at Oxford and become a professor. However, after I graduated, I underwent an emergency surgery which prevented me from doing so. While there were moments where I felt defeated and lost, this period of uncertainty is one I am incredibly grateful for. Not only did it force me to take time to recover and rediscover my passion, but it also allowed me to try my hand at different careers and volunteer opportunities. As a result, through discussing and listening to those I came in contact with, I found myself sharing my experiences and helping others uncover a deeper level of understanding.
In addition to identity and career counselling, I am also incredibly interested in the importance of the mind-body connection. Having worked as a camp counsellor for youth and young adults, I decided to start a soccer camp for low-income families. For over five years, I witnessed firsthand just how significantly physical health, mental health and spiritual health can influence one’s personal state of well-being. This carried over into my practicum which took place at Aster Wellness in Port Coquitlam.
Seeing a wide variety of clients with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, or even PTSD, changed me and really made me realize and appreciate just how unique each of us are. We all learn and operate differently, and taking the time and effort to find out what works for each of my clients helps them to make genuine progress in their lives. The bond that we create opens up a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing without pressure, fear of judgment or ridicule. So, whether it be breaking down a difficult problem into workable goals, sitting with an uncomfortable emotion, or just listening to understand rather than respond, this unconditional positive regard and empathy can help one feel full and worthy. And, it is that pride, passion and respect for others uniqueness that explains my desire to start Warmth Wellness. To learn, understand, and guide through lessons and experiences, and help with whatever hardship you may face.
