Empowerment is a word that has been thrown around a lot lately, but what does it truly mean? In a world where gender inequality and patriarchy continue to be deeply ingrained in societies, empowerment is crucial to ensuring that women have the opportunity to thrive in all aspects of their lives. This article will delve into the life of one woman who has made it her mission to empower others and create a better future for women in her community.
Meet Maya Dissanayake, a psychologist, lecturer, certified life coach, sex therapist, and corporate trainer who is known for being a mentor and an educator who speaks to people’s hearts, resulting in positive transformations in their lives. She was born and raised in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and completed her A/L exams at Mahamaya Girls’ College before pursuing several diplomas in Montessori (AMI) education, child and general psychology, and early childhood education. She then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Girne American University.
After completing her education, Maya began her career as a teacher in a Montessori school in Minnesota, USA, where she worked with children with varying needs and circumstances. It was after this experience that she realised the gap in knowledge and training of this nature in Sri Lanka. Thanks to this revelation Maya made the decision to shift her career focus from teaching to training teachers to ensure that children receive the best possible education.
Moreover, Maya’s passion for sharing her knowledge and experience with young people aspiring to work in the field of psychology and child care has led her to work as a lecturer for the past eighteen years at several educational institutes. These include the American College of Higher Education, ICBT, Prospects College, the Institute of Mental Health, the Training Centre for Montessori Teachers, and Mother’s Touch International Academy (MTIA). She taught courses in psychology, early childhood education, child psychology, human sexuality, early childhood education, and child care management.
“I am a strong believer in mentorship, and that means taking the time to mentor and support other women who are striving to achieve their own goals.”
As a teacher trainer, Maya worked with educators to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to effectively support their students. She is also presently involved in a project in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Geothe Institute of Sri Lanka, where she travels to various districts in the country to educate and train principals and teachers to advance and ensure the mental and emotional wellness of their students.
Maya’s love for counselling psychology developed not just within the classroom but also in its practice in the therapy room. As a psychologist, lecturer, and certified life coach, she has the opportunity to work with different groups of people battling a range of psychological and emotional conditions, triggered by a variety of factors, including family circumstances, relational issues, the civil war, the Tsunami, and even the recent economic crisis in Sri Lanka. She also counsels clients at a private hospital.
Furthermore, Maya works as a corporate trainer, conducting training and workshops for reputed companies and education institutes, including John Keells Holdings, MAS Holdings, Standard Chartered Bank, and MUVE Conveyances, addressing stress management, emotional intelligence, and parenting. She also travels frequently to resorts and entities in the Maldives to conduct training and workshops for employees, discussing child care management, paediatric first aid, stress management, as well as child protection and safeguarding children in the performance of their duties.
Maya is also a mother of two daughters aged 26 and 29 and she believes her experience of raising her daughters while working has given her a keen understanding of what real and useful empowerment means. She empowers women by encouraging them to develop strong relationships with their children and create supportive home environments that engender positive outcomes for both them and their children. She also offers mentorship and coaching to other women striving to achieve their goals.
“I believe that for empowerment to be tangibly inculcated and developed in women, it must also be understood in the socioeconomic and familial contexts they operate in”
Maya believes that institutions such as schools and universities must take steps to introduce the study of psychology and make awareness sessions on mental and emotional well-being mandatory. This will equip young girls with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate their mental and emotional well-being intentionally and confidently. Maya believes that societal changes require the unwavering commitment of the government, institutions, psychologists, teachers, and the general public alike to support the empowerment of women.
Maya Dissanayake’s career has culminated in a career that she loves and is proud of. Her love for her work is tied directly to the clients she sees and the young people she meets. She takes pride in the way they fight their way back to wellness, stability, and happiness, despite the personal crises they face. Through her work in education, counselling, and mentorship, Maya is helping to empower women and change the conversation around mental health and emotional well-being in Sri Lanka.