Megan Drummond

A conversation with Megan Drummond

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  My path to psychotherapy was deeply influenced by both personal and professional experiences. I saw firsthand how transformative the healing process could be. This ignited a passion to help others on their journey toward emotional freedom and personal growth. With a background in business and further studies in neuroscience, positive psychology, and international human rights, I found myself drawn to the intersection of science, compassion, and human connection. Becoming a psychotherapist allowed me to combine these interests, using evidence-based methods to empower clients and help them break free from limiting patterns.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  My professional development has been shaped by several philosophical approaches that align with my values and therapeutic style. Humanistic psychology, with its focus on empathy, authenticity, and the belief in every person’s capacity for growth, forms the foundation of my practice.
  
  I also draw on psychodynamic principles, exploring how unconscious patterns and early life experiences shape behaviour and relationships, helping clients gain deeper self-awareness. Existentialism influences my work by encouraging meaning-making and personal responsibility, while positive psychology focuses on strengths, resilience, and well-being.
  
  Additionally, I integrate trauma-informed principles, ensuring that safety, empowerment, and the understanding of trauma responses guide the therapeutic process. These approaches allow me to foster meaningful change, emotional healing, and personal growth.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I am particularly interested in how individuals navigate trauma, identity, and relational dynamics throughout their lives. I’m also drawn to the interplay between self-worth and relationships, exploring how early life experiences and unconscious patterns influence adult behaviour.
  
  More broadly, I am passionate about empowering clients to rediscover their sense of self, purpose, and meaning at different stages of life, fostering personal growth and long-term mental well-being.

• What methods do you use?

  I take an integrative approach, combining person-centred therapy to foster a supportive space with psychodynamic techniques to explore unconscious patterns and early life influences.
  
  I incorporate trauma-informed principles, neuroscience insights, cognitive-behavioural strategies, and existential therapy to help clients find meaning and resilience.
  
  For couples, I draw on the Gottman Method to enhance communication and connection and clients working on narcissistic abuse recovery, I utilise psychoeducation and the CLEANSE framework, which guides clients toward emotional detachment, resilience, and autonomy.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  The timeline for progress varies for each client, as it depends on their unique circumstances, goals, and the challenges they are addressing. However, clients often begin to notice progress when they experience small shifts in awareness, emotional responses, or coping strategies. This could be the ability to set a boundary for the first time, a reduction in anxiety, or recognising patterns that previously felt overwhelming or automatic.
  
  In cases of trauma or narcissistic abuse recovery, progress may first appear as a growing sense of clarity, emotional relief, or increased self-compassion. As clients engage with the therapeutic process, these shifts often accumulate, creating a foundation for more significant change.
  
  Regular reflection on goals and small wins throughout sessions helps maintain momentum and motivation, reinforcing the sense that meaningful progress is unfolding.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has profoundly shaped my life, both personally and professionally. It provided me with the tools to navigate my own challenges, and complex relational dynamics, fostering deeper self-awareness and emotional resilience. Through therapy, I gained clarity, cultivated healthier relationships, and developed a stronger sense of autonomy and purpose.
  
  Professionally, therapy has been transformative in how I connect with clients, reinforcing the importance of empathy, active listening, and creating a safe space for healing. It has shown me that personal growth is not a linear journey but one of ongoing self-discovery. These experiences allow me to relate to my clients with authenticity and compassion, empowering them to overcome challenges and reclaim their well-being.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  What I value most about being a therapist is the privilege of witnessing my clients' journeys toward healing and personal growth. It's deeply rewarding to see someone gain insight, develop resilience, and rediscover their sense of self after navigating challenging experiences. I find great meaning in providing a safe, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to explore their emotions and make meaningful changes.
  
  Each session offers the opportunity to engage with human complexity and foster genuine connection, which continually enriches my practice. I also appreciate how this work challenges me to grow both personally and professionally, reminding me of the strength and potential for change within every individual.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Absolutely! Like everyone else, I have my share of bad hair days. Life can be unpredictable, and not every day goes as smoothly as planned—even for a therapist. I think it’s important to embrace those imperfect moments with humour and self-compassion, just as I encourage my clients to do. These little challenges remind me that we’re all human, and are just doing the best we can!

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  I believe one of the most significant problems we face today is the growing inability to tolerate discomfort, which fuels entitlement and avoidance.
  
  Many people struggle with sitting in uncomfortable emotions or challenging situations, seeking immediate relief instead of growth. This avoidance can lead to superficial connections, unresolved issues, and a reliance on distractions to cope. Entitlement often emerges when discomfort is avoided, fostering unrealistic expectations that life should always be easy or fair.
  
  Collectively, this mindset limits resilience, stifles personal development, and impedes meaningful social change. Learning to embrace discomfort as a natural part of life is essential for building emotional strength, empathy, and a more connected, adaptive world.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  One work that inspires me is "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles. The novel’s themes of resilience, purpose, and finding meaning resonate deeply with me.
  
  It beautifully illustrates how, even when life imposes limitations, one can cultivate inner freedom and enrich relationships. Its message of grace, adaptability, and quiet strength is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for growth, no matter the circumstances.