Nur Farizah Sedek is a counseling psychotherapist and educator specializing in existential-humanistic and spiritual approaches. Following a poignant period grappling with meaning, isolation and identity reformation, Nur Farizah crafted a pathway to living an authentic life with purpose, autonomy and connectedness to her deeper self. An advocate for existential living, she has since dedicated herself to assisting others through life transitions, existential crises and personality realignment, exploring core life concerns through transformative processes of emotional healing, self-discovery and personal growth in her private practice and public podcast, From Loneliness to Loveliness, where she helps people reconnect with their true self.
Nur Farizah Sedek, Counseling Psychotherapist
Please tell us more about you. What’s the story behind who you are?
I’m Nur, and my journey has been anything but a straight line. I grew up in Singapore with a rich Malay heritage and a multicultural upbringing that exposed me to a blend of traditions, perspectives, and values. In late 2008, I made a big leap and moved to the Czech Republic a transition that would profoundly shape who I am today. Being in a new country, far from familiar roots, brought challenges but also immense growth. It was a time that made me reflect deeply on identity, belonging, and the meaning of life.
In my early 20s, I pursued a career in visual communication, working as a graphic designer in the fast-paced marketing industry. Creativity fueled me, but over time, I felt a deeper calling a pull toward understanding the human mind and soul. So, in my early 30s, I pivoted to psychology, embarking on a path that would lead me to become a psychotherapist. This shift was about more than a career change; it was a way to turn my own reflections and experiences into something that could help others.
I’m often described as having a melancholic temperament, a calm presence, and a conscientious approach to life. I’m a Cancer, an introvert, and an INFJ, always striving for depth, meaning, and the sense of being “home.” Type A traits push me to set goals and pursue them wholeheartedly, while my openness to experience keeps me curious and intrigued about life. These qualities alongside my own journey through creative roots, cultural shifts, and personal transformation define how I engage with others: with empathy, intention, and a heart open to their stories.
What were the key moments in your life that shaped your journey and led you to where you are today?
The journey I have undertaken to get me here today is marked by two pivotal moments. The first happened within a year of moving to the Czech Republic in late 2008, residing in a city an hour away from Prague where expats like myself are hard to find. I immediately found myself alone in a foreign environment and, not knowing the language, felt anxious about my self-sustainability. I questioned what I was doing there and why, of all the countries where I could have been placed, certainly, being in an English-speaking community would have made assimilating much easier! This became an existential crisis, and while I had accepted the challenge of staying, it opened the road toward profound self-discovery.
The second decisive moment came about five years later. From a young age, I have been intrigued by the question, “Why do we do what we do?” and fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior. Growing up, I often gravitated toward books of the self-help genre as a way to answer this question; as a socially anxious child and having experienced bullying as a teenager, the vast knowledge we have on how to understand and improve ourselves became my repose. Thus, as I began building my life in this country, I earnestly pursued as much material as I could lay my hands on, to understand as much about myself and what I was experiencing. I sought wisdom not only in psychology but also in philosophy and spirituality, particularly existentialism and Sufi mysticism. Brené Brown’s The Power of Vulnerability and Daring Greatly, Susan Cain’s Quiet, Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, and Hamza Yusuf’s Purification of the Heart are some of those I turned to early on in my journey that helped set the direction I would eventually take. Five years later, the mounting pull to use what I have learned to help others became unavoidable. Serendipitously, I discovered an American-accredited psychology program at an internationally oriented university in Prague. I was already in my early thirties then; regardless, and with the support of my family, I took the plunge that would alter the course of my life.
What inspired you to launch Nur Farizah Sedek and how has your personal journey influenced your approach to an existential, spiritual, and heart-centered psychotherapy practice?
The inspiration for launching my existential, spiritual, and heart-centered psychotherapy practice is deeply rooted in both my personal and professional journey. This path has been marked by transformative life experiences and a dedication to helping others find meaning, purpose, and peace. My approach draws on a unified understanding of existential-humanistic, transcendental, and positive branches of psychology, enriched by my immersion in Sufi thought, as well as years of psychological study and practice.
I became interested in existential psychology following the poignant five-year period after moving to Czechia. This transition was more than a physical relocation; it was a period of profound personal challenge. Being far from my cultural roots and familiar surroundings, I experienced intense feelings of isolation and loneliness. I found myself grappling with questions about love, purpose and meaning, identity, authenticity, and belonging core existential themes that became the cornerstone of my future work. It was during this time that I immersed myself in existential philosophy and Sufi spirituality. The Sufi tradition, with its emphasis on divine love, inner transformation, and awakening experiences, offered me not only solace but also a deep and resonant connection between existentialism and spirituality. Teachings on the alternating spiritual states and their psychological parallels, and the phenomenology of emotions, particularly love, revealed paths for navigating suffering, cultivating self-awareness, and fostering growth. This period of self-exploration became the foundation for my professional passion for existential and spiritual psychotherapies.
Professionally, my formal academic journey in psychology began when I pursued a bachelor’s and master’s in psychology, which were complemented by my roles as an academic advisor and lecturer. Throughout my studies, I cultivated interests in the phenomenological, existential, transpersonal, positive, and cultural fields of psychology. I recognized that the human quest for meaning and purpose transcends cultures, religions, and social boundaries, and this awareness became an essential part of my therapeutic practice. I sought to understand not just the universal aspects of the human condition but also the culturally specific contexts that shape individual identities and struggles. This focus on cultural psychology, particularly the interplay of identity across different cultural contexts, was influenced by my own experiences living in Czechia as a non-European foreigner and engaging with diverse worldviews since the early days of my childhood growing up in multicultural Singapore.
The inspiration to offer a heart-centered psychotherapy practice is also deeply connected to my traditionally collective cultural background. The practices and teachings I encountered reinforced the importance of intentional living, compassion, and connection. These values inform my therapeutic approach, emphasizing empathy, presence, and a holistic understanding of each client’s journey. In my work, I aim to help individuals confront the life challenges they face by guiding them to connect with their own inner wisdom and spiritual resources. My ongoing training in existential analysis and logotherapy further supports this goal, providing a structured yet flexible framework for helping my clients navigate the complexities of being alive.
Ultimately, my practice reflects the convergence of personal healing, spiritual growth, and intellectual inquiry. I strive to create a space where my clients can explore their deepest questions, face their fears, and reconnect with what matters most to them. By integrating existential, humanistic, and spiritual approaches, I seek to help others embrace their humanity and move toward a more fulfilling, purposeful life. This heart-centered, integrative practice is my response to the challenges I have faced and the understanding I have gained an offering of hope and transformation for those on their own journeys.
Is there a common challenge that your clients face? How are you helping them to face this challenge?
A common challenge faced by many of my clients is a deep sense of meaninglessness, groundlessness, and struggles around identity, self-worth, and belonging. This often manifests as anxiety, depression, feeling “stuck,” or experiencing crises of purpose and direction. My clients frequently grapple with profound questions about who they are, what they value, and how to live authentically in a complex and demanding world. Life transitions, cultural pressures, and societal expectations can intensify these struggles, leaving them feeling disconnected from themselves and others.
To help clients navigate these challenges, I begin by fostering a healing environment rooted in empathy, presence, and genuine understanding. At the core of my work is creating a therapeutic space of deep listening where I seek to understand each client’s unique experience and provide a non-judgmental environment where they can explore their innermost thoughts and feelings. Creating this supportive atmosphere helps my clients feel seen, heard, and validated, which I believe is a crucial first step toward healing and transformation.
Exploring life itself plays a central role in my practice. Together with clients, we examine fundamental questions of what makes their lives worth living, such as meaning, freedom, belonging, and the sense of having lived a fulfilled life in the face of mortality. Through facing the fundamental motivations of life, we explore their personal values, beliefs, and sources of meaning, empowering them to take responsibility for their lives and make authentic choices. By encouraging clients to confront life's inherent uncertainties and paradoxes, I help them develop resilience and a greater sense of agency in shaping their own paths.
I have long been fascinated by the unfolding dialogue between mankind’s outward journey as caretakers of the Earth and inward contemplation as beholders of divine beauty and majesty. I remain committed to guiding my clients on their quests toward self-awareness and fulfillment. My creative blend of existential and heart-centered approaches continues to transform lives, offering a path to healing that honors both the mind and the spirit.
What are your aspirations for yourself and your practice moving forward? What specific goals or vision are you striving to accomplish?
Looking ahead, my vision for my practice is centered around creating meaningful spaces for connection, self-discovery, and personal transformation. This journey involves launching a podcast that delves into existential and spiritual themes, mental health, and the human experience, offering reflections and conversations to inspire and empower listeners. Alongside this, I am writing a memoir titled “From Loneliness to Loveliness,” exploring my own transformative journey from isolation to connection, self-acceptance, and love. How the title came about has its own story to tell!
My journey is also driven by a passion for research, which focuses on understanding transcendental experiences within the ordinariness of everyday life and their influence on self-concept and identity. Through existential-humanistic and phenomenological lenses, I aim to explore how felt experiences shape our understanding of what it means to be fully alive and human. Central to this inquiry is how our self-concept evolves in dialogue with others: “Who am I when I am with you?” I delve into themes of love, relationships, connectedness, and belonging, particularly examining how authentic self-expression and vulnerability transform our self-awareness and the way we relate to one another.
In our current era, marked by lingering effects of the pandemic, social and political polarization, rapidly evolving technology, and economic instability, questions of loneliness, isolation, and individualism especially among youth are critical. I seek to understand how we experience ourselves in moments of vulnerability with others, in solitude, and through experiences of unconditional love. These inquiries illuminate the intricate relationships between vulnerability, authenticity, emotional safety, solitude, and selflessness, offering pathways to healing and growth.
Another exciting personal endeavor is expanding “Nifty Pursuits” creating journals, workbooks, and art prints for therapeutic use, with plans to evolve this into a publishing house. This effort aims to make self-reflection and creative healing accessible, providing tools that invite individuals to explore, express, and transform themselves with intention and heart.
What drives/inspires you? Is there a core value that you are most passionate about?
What drives and inspires me is a deep commitment to living a life of purpose, connection, and authenticity. At the heart of everything I do is a desire to help others find meaning in their lives and to walk alongside them as they explore their own paths to fulfillment. My journey has taught me that even in the darkest moments, there is a light of hope and a spark of transcendence that can guide us through. This belief is what keeps me grounded and motivated in my work as a psychotherapist.
My core value, which I am most passionate about, is spirituality specifically, understanding and connecting with the higher purpose and meaning of life. This transcendent approach shapes my conduct, fuels my interactions, and provides both comfort and a sense of responsibility to bring light into the lives of others. Spirituality for me is about aligning one's inner purpose with outward actions, fostering peace, compassion, and genuine connection.
In terms of my strengths, I draw on my love of learning to continually grow, expanding my knowledge and perspectives. The strength of perspective allows me to offer wise, grounded counsel, and gratitude keeps me anchored in appreciation for life’s gifts. Finally, hope propels me forward, believing that with effort and intention, a brighter future is always within reach. These strengths together help me guide others, honor my own journey, and continually strive for deeper meaning and connection.
For readers inspired by this conversation and eager to start their journey, what first steps would you recommend?
For those feeling inspired and ready to begin their own journey, my recommendation is to start with small, meaningful steps that cultivate self-awareness and reflection. One great way to begin is by exploring gratitude something that can genuinely transform how we see ourselves and our experiences. I invite you to download my gratitude journal to guide you in this practice, helping you recognize and appreciate the meaningful moments in your life.
If you feel called to deepen your journey and work together on issues such as meaning, identity, or navigating life’s challenges, I welcome you to contact me. I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you explore, grow, and find your path to a more fulfilling life. Let’s connect when you’re ready.
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