A lot of people may recognize him as the psychologist-slash-psychiatrist who made his boobtube debut in ABS-CBN's reality-TV show "Pinoy Big Brother" earning him the moniker "Celebrity Shrink." In truth, however, Dr. Randy Dellosa began counseling troubled minds and wounded souls long before he even finished his professional titles when at 17 he was among the telephone councilors for the Christian Broadcasting Network TV talk show "The 700 Club."
"The very first problem I got was a guy who told me he wants to marry his cousin. He said he's already found a priest. At that time, all I could say was "How can I help?" Before I could say anything else, somebody entered the room, [and perhaps realizing that] the person on the other line hang up," tells the 47-year old doctor.
It was certainly a difficult situation for the young Randy but that exact moment got him inspired to learn more about life problems. And so in college, he went on to study people - and more.
Inside the therapy room
For this interview, Dr. Dellosa agreed to meet us in his clinic within the premises of Life Change Recovery Center along Scout Rallos St. in Timog, Quezon City. One of the staff led us to the treatment room where we found a lot of interesting stuff that the good doctor uses during consultations with patients.
At first glance, people would think it's an Asian-inspired room with all the trimmings placed in an organized manner. There are bowls (which we later found out were Singing Bowls) laid before a big mirror on one corner of the room. Directly across were three native chairs facing each other. In between the chairs are lamps and a table with a disc player underneath.
"This is the therapy room. These are not decorations, these are therapy props. These things symbolize something to a patient as they attract their attention. They attract the subconscious," offers Dr. Dellosa as he settles himself in one of the chairs. He adds, "Not all therapy rooms look like this. Others are just spherical room, like those of the medical doctors."
Dr. Dellosa is a product of many schools which is perhaps among the reasons why he is known for his holistic and creative approach to healing. He uses a variety of healing methods which include psychiatric acupuncture, qigong energy healing, Ericksonian hypnotherapy, dream analysis, art therapy, drama therapy, various massage therapies, psycho-spiritual counseling, therapeutic drumming, emotional release therapy, Polarity yoga, posture alignment therapy, and many others.
"Usually psychiatry and psychology are not being combined. A psychiatrists is a medical doctor and they can prescribe medications. The psychologist naman has a lot of fields to cover. There are psychologists in clinical practice and they do counseling but they can't presribe medicines," says Dr. Dellosa who is the only Filipino to date who practices both.
"I got tired of people asking which of those two I am using to treat them. And it's difficult to differentiate. When I see a patient, of course it's counseling first which is psychotherapy because they talk about issues. And then when I sense that there is a problem, that's when I become a psychiatrist."
Over the years, Dr. Dellosa had his share of memorable cases. "Everything's memorable. There's a saying, "Every person is like a novel." The suicide cases are unforgettable because I establish relationships with them and I check their emotions only to find out after that they've committed suicide. I feel bad about it but my pride and joy is when after six to 10 sessions, my patients see themselves differently, when they look back to the first day they came to me and they'd realize that they've changed."
The new dynamics
Along with Dr. Dellosa's over 25 years of experience in his chosen field, he has had patients whom he first saw as teenagers and are now grown-ups with husbands and wives and children. Some he still gets to see from time to time, consulting about whole different issues which he acknowledges as stages in certain life periods. But lately, Dr. Dellosa is seeing a pattern, being the ever observant doctor that he is.
"Most of my clients are young adults. The youngest client I have right now is a 15-year-old high school student. She saves up just to be here," Dr. Dellosa reveals. "It's a new trend, that's one," he adds. "Way back, when the young ones come to see me, they're with their parents. But these days, it's already different. They come here by themselves which means that, probably mas mahirap ang family life nila ngayon and they have family problems that's why they're seeking help."
Another reason for this, according to Dr. Dellosa may be attributed to awareness. "These young individuals are a bit more aware. What's even more noteworthy about it is, the problems that I hear now from them are the problems that midlifers used to encounter. The teenagers now talk about sex and infidelity na dati, 'di ko naman naririnig sa mga teenagers."
This new observation urged him to further educate himself through immersion. "That's why I think I'm still a student until now kasi times are always changing and there's always something new. When kids come to me, I have to be like them to know what's happening. I need to watch all types of cartoons even if I don't like them," says Dr. Dellosa who confesses to being partial to Spongebob over Animes.
That being the case, Dr. Dellosa also stressed on the importance of creating an approach that is friendly to the Filipino mindset. "Take for example life coaches. We have a lot of life coaches here but they're all Western-trained and they try to bring their training here when for Filipinos, it's worth establishing a relationship muna."
Towards self growth
Dr. Dellosa, who is a life coach himself, will be facilitating a life coach certification program headed by the Philippine Society of Life Coaches on May 1, 14 to 15, and 28 to 29 at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines, Dilliman.
"Life coaching is more about moving people towards the direction they want to go. It's like a personal fitness coach. Some people also have life coaches, like professional, objective and neutral friends because the problems that you bring to your life coach are the same problems you bring to a friend," he explains.
There are different interventions in life coaching. One part is counseling and the other is training and teaching life skills. Dr. Dellosa suggests every person should have a life coach. "It's not that you're sick; its because you want to attain your maximum human potential."
Awareness about life coaching began in the 1990s. It further became known when TV mogul Oprah Winfrey tapped Dr. Phil McGraw as her personal life coach. However, Dr. Dellosa points out the importance of the cultural aspect in life coaching. As of this writing, Dr. Dellosa is the only one who offers the Filipino friendly approach to life coaching.
"Other life coaching programs are business-like and goal-oriented. You feel like you entered into a meeting more than a relationship because it's very individualistic and independent," he points out.
"The Filipino approach to life coaching is more relational. In fact, one of the things I noticed in people, they don't think of the "I" concept. They always think in terms of family and friends. Foreigners are wondering why Filipinos won't go to the mall alone and why they need to bring someone. That is because we think in terms of "I" in relation to others. It's always like that. When Filipinos make decisions, they always consider what others might say, more importantly their family and friends. If I were a Western life coach, I would just tell you to "do what you wish" or "follow your heart." Ang Pilipino hindi, we figure out a way to fit what we want into the whole context of friends and family."
Up close and personal
While on the topic of family and friends, it couldn't be helped to ask Dr. Dellosa how he avoids being a shrink when relating to his own circle. "I'd get reactions and comments telling me to stop psychoanalyzing them all the time and I hate it because I am not. And when they say that, for me, they are covering something that's why they accuse me," the good-natured doctor laughs.
He went on to tell a story about potential girlfriends when he was younger. "I will let them do psycological tests, 'O, gusto mo bang malaman ang personality mo?' But in actuality, I am testing if they have a beautiful personality. Looking back now, I should've gotten married before I entered the helping field."
But then again, Dr. Dellosa retracts his statement. "I'm a loner. I love being alone and I could live and die alone... Everyday of my life, I hear problems. If may ganitong relationship, I'll just go home to problems. I see these people who are married and then they have kids... And then I'll raise children on this earth just to experience all these problems. I feel a bit sad if I have to bring in life here to suffer lang. Ang dami namang bata na walang magulang mag-a-adopt na lang ako. Pero that means more problems for me. See! That's why I told you, I'd rather be alone."
On the other hand, Dr. Dellosa admits to getting his own counseling or therapy. He goes abroad once a year to talk to someone about his own issues. "I don't think there are people here I would want to approach. So what I do is, write down everything, I have a diary and when I go there I stay for about two weeks," he says.
Dr. Dellosa adds, "Most of the things that I consult with are more about existence. There are some things I have so many questions about and they bother me. Like for example, Why does God allow us to love and then take them away? In the first place, why does He let us live on earth? For His glory? Doesn't that make Him vain?"
Clearly, Dr. Dellosa is almost like everyone else but he is certainly one of the finest in his field. And for the final question: What makes a beautiful mind?, he quickly replies, "A person with a beautiful mind is someone who knows what's meaningful in his or her life, pursues it and protects it. A mind without, and does not keep emotional baggages.
"The very first problem I got was a guy who told me he wants to marry his cousin. He said he's already found a priest. At that time, all I could say was "How can I help?" Before I could say anything else, somebody entered the room, [and perhaps realizing that] the person on the other line hang up," tells the 47-year old doctor.
It was certainly a difficult situation for the young Randy but that exact moment got him inspired to learn more about life problems. And so in college, he went on to study people - and more.
Inside the therapy room
For this interview, Dr. Dellosa agreed to meet us in his clinic within the premises of Life Change Recovery Center along Scout Rallos St. in Timog, Quezon City. One of the staff led us to the treatment room where we found a lot of interesting stuff that the good doctor uses during consultations with patients.
At first glance, people would think it's an Asian-inspired room with all the trimmings placed in an organized manner. There are bowls (which we later found out were Singing Bowls) laid before a big mirror on one corner of the room. Directly across were three native chairs facing each other. In between the chairs are lamps and a table with a disc player underneath.
"This is the therapy room. These are not decorations, these are therapy props. These things symbolize something to a patient as they attract their attention. They attract the subconscious," offers Dr. Dellosa as he settles himself in one of the chairs. He adds, "Not all therapy rooms look like this. Others are just spherical room, like those of the medical doctors."
Dr. Dellosa is a product of many schools which is perhaps among the reasons why he is known for his holistic and creative approach to healing. He uses a variety of healing methods which include psychiatric acupuncture, qigong energy healing, Ericksonian hypnotherapy, dream analysis, art therapy, drama therapy, various massage therapies, psycho-spiritual counseling, therapeutic drumming, emotional release therapy, Polarity yoga, posture alignment therapy, and many others.
"Usually psychiatry and psychology are not being combined. A psychiatrists is a medical doctor and they can prescribe medications. The psychologist naman has a lot of fields to cover. There are psychologists in clinical practice and they do counseling but they can't presribe medicines," says Dr. Dellosa who is the only Filipino to date who practices both.
"I got tired of people asking which of those two I am using to treat them. And it's difficult to differentiate. When I see a patient, of course it's counseling first which is psychotherapy because they talk about issues. And then when I sense that there is a problem, that's when I become a psychiatrist."
Over the years, Dr. Dellosa had his share of memorable cases. "Everything's memorable. There's a saying, "Every person is like a novel." The suicide cases are unforgettable because I establish relationships with them and I check their emotions only to find out after that they've committed suicide. I feel bad about it but my pride and joy is when after six to 10 sessions, my patients see themselves differently, when they look back to the first day they came to me and they'd realize that they've changed."
The new dynamics
Along with Dr. Dellosa's over 25 years of experience in his chosen field, he has had patients whom he first saw as teenagers and are now grown-ups with husbands and wives and children. Some he still gets to see from time to time, consulting about whole different issues which he acknowledges as stages in certain life periods. But lately, Dr. Dellosa is seeing a pattern, being the ever observant doctor that he is.
"Most of my clients are young adults. The youngest client I have right now is a 15-year-old high school student. She saves up just to be here," Dr. Dellosa reveals. "It's a new trend, that's one," he adds. "Way back, when the young ones come to see me, they're with their parents. But these days, it's already different. They come here by themselves which means that, probably mas mahirap ang family life nila ngayon and they have family problems that's why they're seeking help."
Another reason for this, according to Dr. Dellosa may be attributed to awareness. "These young individuals are a bit more aware. What's even more noteworthy about it is, the problems that I hear now from them are the problems that midlifers used to encounter. The teenagers now talk about sex and infidelity na dati, 'di ko naman naririnig sa mga teenagers."
This new observation urged him to further educate himself through immersion. "That's why I think I'm still a student until now kasi times are always changing and there's always something new. When kids come to me, I have to be like them to know what's happening. I need to watch all types of cartoons even if I don't like them," says Dr. Dellosa who confesses to being partial to Spongebob over Animes.
That being the case, Dr. Dellosa also stressed on the importance of creating an approach that is friendly to the Filipino mindset. "Take for example life coaches. We have a lot of life coaches here but they're all Western-trained and they try to bring their training here when for Filipinos, it's worth establishing a relationship muna."
Towards self growth
Dr. Dellosa, who is a life coach himself, will be facilitating a life coach certification program headed by the Philippine Society of Life Coaches on May 1, 14 to 15, and 28 to 29 at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines, Dilliman.
There are different interventions in life coaching. One part is counseling and the other is training and teaching life skills. Dr. Dellosa suggests every person should have a life coach. "It's not that you're sick; its because you want to attain your maximum human potential."
Awareness about life coaching began in the 1990s. It further became known when TV mogul Oprah Winfrey tapped Dr. Phil McGraw as her personal life coach. However, Dr. Dellosa points out the importance of the cultural aspect in life coaching. As of this writing, Dr. Dellosa is the only one who offers the Filipino friendly approach to life coaching.
"Other life coaching programs are business-like and goal-oriented. You feel like you entered into a meeting more than a relationship because it's very individualistic and independent," he points out.
"The Filipino approach to life coaching is more relational. In fact, one of the things I noticed in people, they don't think of the "I" concept. They always think in terms of family and friends. Foreigners are wondering why Filipinos won't go to the mall alone and why they need to bring someone. That is because we think in terms of "I" in relation to others. It's always like that. When Filipinos make decisions, they always consider what others might say, more importantly their family and friends. If I were a Western life coach, I would just tell you to "do what you wish" or "follow your heart." Ang Pilipino hindi, we figure out a way to fit what we want into the whole context of friends and family."
Up close and personal
While on the topic of family and friends, it couldn't be helped to ask Dr. Dellosa how he avoids being a shrink when relating to his own circle. "I'd get reactions and comments telling me to stop psychoanalyzing them all the time and I hate it because I am not. And when they say that, for me, they are covering something that's why they accuse me," the good-natured doctor laughs.
He went on to tell a story about potential girlfriends when he was younger. "I will let them do psycological tests, 'O, gusto mo bang malaman ang personality mo?' But in actuality, I am testing if they have a beautiful personality. Looking back now, I should've gotten married before I entered the helping field."
But then again, Dr. Dellosa retracts his statement. "I'm a loner. I love being alone and I could live and die alone... Everyday of my life, I hear problems. If may ganitong relationship, I'll just go home to problems. I see these people who are married and then they have kids... And then I'll raise children on this earth just to experience all these problems. I feel a bit sad if I have to bring in life here to suffer lang. Ang dami namang bata na walang magulang mag-a-adopt na lang ako. Pero that means more problems for me. See! That's why I told you, I'd rather be alone."
On the other hand, Dr. Dellosa admits to getting his own counseling or therapy. He goes abroad once a year to talk to someone about his own issues. "I don't think there are people here I would want to approach. So what I do is, write down everything, I have a diary and when I go there I stay for about two weeks," he says.
Dr. Dellosa adds, "Most of the things that I consult with are more about existence. There are some things I have so many questions about and they bother me. Like for example, Why does God allow us to love and then take them away? In the first place, why does He let us live on earth? For His glory? Doesn't that make Him vain?"
Clearly, Dr. Dellosa is almost like everyone else but he is certainly one of the finest in his field. And for the final question: What makes a beautiful mind?, he quickly replies, "A person with a beautiful mind is someone who knows what's meaningful in his or her life, pursues it and protects it. A mind without, and does not keep emotional baggages.
