Q&A with Aindri Jayasinghe

What got you into psychology?

Having grown up in Sri Lanka during the civil war I was aware of trauma, poverty, and suffering from a young age. This gave me an understanding of the importance of compassion and a desire to help. Being of mixed heritage, and my life experience being culturally diverse has given me an appreciation of all the factors that go towards a person’s individuality and sense of self, and this too is at the root of my interest in psychology and subjective experience.

What activities do you enjoy outside of work?

I’m naturally drawn to things that are healthy so I love exercise and will do something active every day. Crossfit, running, and yoga are my favourites. I love music and spending time in nature. I’m passionate about LGBTIQ rights and have been involved in activism for over ten years.

What are the biggest influences on your psychotherapeutic practice?

Aside from the more structured interventions that I use, there are a few strong influences on my approach to psychology and mental health. I was introduced to existential philosophy informally during my undergraduate years and incorporated it into my study formally after that. I find that its themes of freedom, choice, responsibility, mortality, and meaning-making provide a useful frame for clinical work. My practice is also influenced by an interest in Buddhist philosophy, vipassana meditation, and other approaches that enhance the mind-body connection.