“Many people find themselves in therapy because they were hurt by someone who needed healing but never sought it. This is why it’s so important to take responsibility for your own healing—to ensure that no one else has to recover from pain caused by your unresolved or unacknowledged wounds. Break the cycle, so that others do not suffer because you chose not to heal.” – Shalina Lodhia
From Hurting to Healing: Helping others and giving Hope
In a world where many face challenges that seem insurmountable, Shalina Lodhia is a testament to the power of resilience, reflection, and support in transforming pain into purpose. Navigating through a world marked by domestic violence, childhood and intergenerational trauma, and the absence of a father figure since birth, Shalina’s journey has shaped her into the counsellor, musician, and mental health advocate she is today. Her story is not just one of surviving emotional, physical and spiritual turbulence, it is also a powerful narrative of empathy, healing, and a belief in the capacity for individuals to break free from destructive cycles.
Shalina’s early life was marked by adversity—domestic violence, intergenerational trauma, fatherlessness, as well as sexual abuse, severe racism and relentless bullying which lead her to dropping out of school. These agonising hardships, so often suffered in silence, especially within multicultural communities, drove her to the brink. Without anyone to talk to, and in attempts to numb the overwhelming pain, Shalina turned to addiction and self-harm, grappling with suicidal thoughts as she searched for any form of escape from the darkness.
Determined to understand why people behave the way they do, and to become the person who she needed as a child and adolescent going through trauma, Shalina pursued a career in criminology and, more significantly, trauma counselling. Her work goes beyond academic theory; it is deeply informed by personal experience, enabling her to understand the nuanced, often unspoken struggles of her clients particularly within South Asian and multicultural communities in Australia. Her approach is not merely transactional, it is rooted in helping others to understand their worth, recognise and heal from cycles of violence, and build healthier lives. As a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive counsellor, Shalina has created a safe and supportive space for individuals to confront their pasts, face their fears, and reclaim their futures.
A Culturally Sensitive, Salutogenic Approach to Healing
What distinguishes Shalina from others in her field is her culturally sensitive, salutogenic, trauma-informed approach to counselling. She addresses not just immediate symptoms, but the underlying mental, physical and spiritual impacts of trauma. Shalina is committed to addressing the unique struggles faced by individuals in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, which are often overlooked in mainstream therapeutic conversations. Her counselling sessions are centered around exploring pain, identifying cycles and patterns, connecting it to ancestors, and coming to a state of deep self-realisation in order to break free from abuse, silence, and trauma that have long affected her clients lives, self-worth, parenting styles and relationships.
In addition to counselling, Shalina assists clients as a resume writer, using her attention to detail and genuine care to help people regain financial stability and rebuild self-esteem. Raised by a single mother affected by domestic violence, she understands the importance of stable employment in breaking free from financial abuse and fostering independence.
Music as a Tool for Healing: The Artistic Side of Shalina Lodhia
Shalina is also a singer and rapper known as SED8. Her songs offer a cathartic release. Each note, lyric, and melody helps her to express her struggles and pain, find healing, and offer a creative message of hope to those who may feel voiceless or lost in their own difficulties.
Shalina Lodhia’s Impact: A Beacon of Hope
What truly sets Shalina Lodhia apart in her field is her ability to seamlessly blend professional expertise and personal experience to have emotionally heavy conversations with clients. As someone who has lived through the devastating effects of trauma, she brings an authentic perspective to her work. Her journey is a guide for anyone facing adversity, demonstrating the power of using painful personal experiences and turning it into purpose to help others. Through her dedicated work, Shalina has become a trusted voice in the discussions surrounding the various forms of domestic and family violence and intergenerational trauma within multicultural settings, particularly in the South Asian community.Shalina’s commitment has helped many women and families begin anew, contributing to the breaking of generational cycles of abuse. Over the years, she has counselled and supported countless women seeking to leave abusive marriages.
New Path Toward Healing
If you or someone you know is struggling with the lasting effects of childhood and intergenerational trauma, domestic and family violence, or fatherlessness, Shalina Lodhia offers holistic, culturally attuned support—through counselling, career guidance, or simply a space for healing. Shalina’s approach is designed to help you heal your past, present and future. To learn more about Shalina’s services and how she can support your healing journey, you can connect with her on social media.
Follow Shalina on Social Media
Instagram:@counsellorshalina
Facebook:@counsellorshalinalodhia
TikTok: counsellorshalina
YouTube:@SED8official
