A psychologist and wealth matrix mentor writes about a city that holds the spirit of the country, what happened when she was 19, and freedom.

1 You grew up in Durban and have lived in various locations. Which is your favourite city, and why?

My favourite city is Johannesburg.

Johannesburg is a city of vibrancy. It’s filled with life and you can find whatever you are looking for. And the people here are so friendly and open. It’s a city that holds the spirit of the country.

You can meet people who become great friends while having a coffee, or meeting friends for a braai.

2 Did your teenage years in any way signal the direction your career would take?

My dad died when I was 19, suddenly. And that was a real shock for myself and my family. And the next 10 years was pretty tough.

During that time, I think I became a little fascinated by relational trauma, and lost a bit of awe towards people, and was also aware of how grateful I was that my family was my family and for my parents.

I then did the things I needed to do, worked, and played.

And I really pondered and explored healing, the meaning of life, the quality of relationships with oneself and others, and working out what it means to be fulfilled, successful, happy and have meaning in life.

Each decade for me has brought new challenges and new adventures and fascinations.

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In my 40’s I met an economist and I became intrigued by what success could look and feel like, what up-levelling in business and money meant for me. I also truly and painfully recognised that money was an area I had taken for granted, and assumed that it would just work out… erm well… it doesn’t for many people. I wanted to create a differently reality for me and to bring something more for us.

So I started looking at my money story, my relationship with money and with Covid, what new levels of success could look like. And how to expand being a Psychologist, which I always felt was a bit limited and restrictive, but a very strong foundation.

Farhana explains how knowing your money archetypes can improve your relationship with money.

3 You’re both a psychologist and a coach. Does this require two very different approaches?

In the traditional sense, yes. But in who I am, no.

I’ve never done anything in a traditional way. It’s always been a little off the beaten track.

I am extensively trained in relational intelligence, trauma, brain-science and hypnotherapy and all of that is from my Psychology field. I am also extensively trained in Heart-Science, the study of the Soul, energy healing and past lives - metaphysics, which is where my woo sits, and in Systemic work - looking both at generational trauma and wisdom.

My Wealth Matrix Coaching and Academy allows me the freedom to bring all the parts of me together and to be able to openly talk about it and share it freely.

4 How would you define “healing”, and to which extent can one person help another heal?

We never really heal someone else. All healing is self-healing, and universal healing.

While at the same time, we all require support and being held.

Research has found that the more hearts and brains there are, the quicker and easier the transformation can be. And there are so many ways to look at situations, and modalities to fall upon. For me, when you want to shift something or achieve something, I am a believer of throwing everything at it, and focusing on it.

This I think is because we are fundamentally relational beings. In relation to ourselves and others.

And someone else can “see” things we may be blind to.  And it’s always easier and we get further when we lean on someone in the journey of our own expansion. Someone who can hold the space and make it feel safe, someone who believes in us, perhaps even before we can fully believe in ourselves at times.

5 As a coach, you help clients achieve success, however they define it. What does success look like for you?

For me success means freedom (of time, money and choice).

 6 You have two sisters. What are sisters for?

For me, just knowing my sisters are there. That I can share with them, when I want to and choose to. And I can ask for help should I need. And my sisters have given me my nieces and nephew which are the best!

7 Which countries or cities would you still like to explore?

Controversial given things at the moment: Russia - as I have ancestors from there, well, most likely the Ukraine. Prague. Japan.

8 What brings you joy?

I truly try to find joy and adventure every day. In the everyday things, as simple as my morning coffee, the weather, cooking, whatever it is that day, no matter how hard a day may be, because life can get tough at times. And then of course holidays, travel, seeing new places and connecting with my friends and close and extended family.

About Farhana, including contact details

Farhana Goga is a Wealth Matrix Mentor, helping business owners and leaders remove emotional blocks and reach new success in life, biz, money therapy and coaching. As a psychologist with more than 20 years’ experience she has been trained in neuroscience, heart science, trauma, rewiring, re-patterning your brain & identity, family systems and relational work.

She includes Brainspotting, BrainWorking Recursive Therapy, Tapping, Hypnosis, HeartMath, Meditation, Visualisation, Family Constellations, Parts work, Positive Psychology, Enneagram, and Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (amongst others) in her SuccessDNA framework.

Farhana is based in Johannesburg and also works online.

Website: https://www.farhanagoga.co.za/

Email: farhana@farhana-goga.com

Facebook: Farhana Goga

Instagram: farhana.goga

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