Today we're profiling our Functional Family Therapist Practice Lead Vijay. In this role, Vijay builds strong relationships and nurtures his Auckland-based team to grow and thrive. 🌱 Find out more what Vijay enjoys about his mahi and what he might do if he wasn't working in the field below.
Tell us about what a Practice Lead does - and why you enjoy this role?
At its core, I believe the role of a Practice Lead is about building strong relationships and nurturing a team to grow and thrive. When hiring therapists, I often say ‘working with whānau is incredibly rewarding, but it is also challenging mahi.’ It takes time - about one year to build the foundational skills and another year to master them.
What I find most fulfilling is supporting therapists through that journey. Helping therapists learn the model, develop confidence, and grow to become experts. There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing those ‘a-ha’ moments when things click and then seeing therapists being appreciated by whānau for their mahi. That fills my cup.
Being a therapist is also a deeply personal journey. As we support whānau, we are constantly learning about ourselves, reflecting on our own histories and the ways we have learned to protect ourselves. That self-awareness is humbling and powerful. It helps us connect more authentically with the struggles of whānau, and in doing so, it softens the power dynamic between therapist and ‘client.’ That human connection is at the heart of this work and that is why I love what I do.
If you weren't working in this field, what would you be doing?
I have always enjoyed working with my hands, creating something where the results are tangible. If I wasn’t a Practice Leader, I could easily see myself as a carpenter, a potter, or even a barista. There is something deeply satisfying about crafting something from start to finish, whether it's shaping wood, moulding clay, or making the perfect cup of coffee.
Tell us one thing we might not know about you.
I once refurbished a 1960s Leach treadle (pottery) wheel, possibly over several cups of coffee.