---
title: "About"
url: https://padmajairam.com/about/
date: 2019-11-26
modified: 2026-06-21
author: "padmajairam"
description: "About My Work I have a diverse professional background, with qualifications in the legal, educational, and psychological fields. After qualifying to practice law in Singapore, I pursued a teaching career..."
image: https://padmajairam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_20191223_161921_cr-1024x576.jpg
word_count: 374
---

# About

![](https://padmajairam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_20191223_161921_short_crop-scaled-1-1024x265.jpg)

# About My Work

I have a [diverse professional background](https://www.linkedin.com/in/padma-jairam/), with qualifications in the legal, educational, and psychological fields. After qualifying to practice law in Singapore, I pursued a teaching career with the [Ministry of Education (MOE)](https://www.moe.gov.sg/) that spanned almost a decade. I have taught students from all ages and all educational streams in Singapore, including students in the Normal (Technical) and Gifted Education Programme (GEP). Before I left MOE to pursue my Master's degree in Canada, I was the Head of English at a junior college. My passion for psychology was sparked by my desire to help my students find peace and fulfilment within themselves. This same desire continues in my work as a psychotherapist and in my approach to therapy.

Among my skills, I am trained to provide psychological first aid in times of crisis, whatever the magnitude. I was blessed to have participated in several nationwide training exercises in Singapore and participate in national-level events which called for psychological first aid.

I am also an award-winning educator at the [Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)](https://www.suss.edu.sg/), where I have taught undergraduates for almost eight years and currently teach modules I developed for the Psychology programme. Previously, I was a lecturer and clinical supervisor for students in the [Counselling undergraduate programme](https://www.suss.edu.sg/programmes/detail/bachelor-of-counselling-bcou), for which I also developed several modules.

My own journey for peace and fulfilment led me to three life-changing years in Vancouver, Canada. While earning a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology at Adler University, I worked with forensic patients at the [Coquitlam Forensic Psychiatric Hospital](http://www.bcmhsus.ca/our-services/court-referred-mental-health-assessment-treatment/forensic-psychiatric-hospital), war refugees, survival sex workers, and clients from the rich cultural tapestry of Vancouver. I have always believed in helping those who are marginalized. Hence, when I returned to Singapore, I began my career in psychology as a prison psychologist. I then worked at the [Institute of Mental Health (IMH)](https://www.imh.com.sg/), where I continued to help the prison population as well as forensic inpatients and people from all walks of life. As a Senior Psychologist at IMH, I developed a Pre-Release Programme for inmates with mental illness, facilitated several support groups at IMH for the inpatients as well as inmates at prison, and conducted various risk assessments in addition to providing tailor-made individual therapy sessions for all my clients.