From Stigma to Strength
Roje Khalique, a clinical consultant in mental health with nearly two decades of experience, founded rkTherapy to address the pressing need for culturally attuned therapy services. Based in London, rkTherapy offers bespoke psychological services tailored to support high-achieving professionals, particularly those from Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority (BAME) communities. Roje’s deep expertise, drawn from her work with professionals in fields such as investment banking, law, and corporate leadership, highlighted the critical gaps in mental health care for these individuals. Her approach, grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is designed to help clients navigate the immense stress and anxiety inherent in high-pressure environments, while also addressing the stigma surrounding mental health.
In 2018, Roje made a courageous decision to leave a stable 9-5 healthcare job to establish rkTherapy, driven by a passion for creating a space for culturally informed mental health care. Her journey was not without challenges, as a South Asian woman entering the entrepreneurial world in addition to a business designed to improve access to evidence-based psychotherapy in the corporate world. Despite the hurdles, her unwavering dedication to her vision, belief in the importance of mental health, and the impact of hard work over luck continue to fuse the ongoing evolution of rkTherapy.
Roje’s passion lies in supporting minority ethnic women who face the compounded challenges of sexism, racism, and high-stress professional environments, particularly in fields dominated by men such as finance and law. Her personal experiences, coupled with her professional insights, give her a unique perspective on the complexities these women face. A 2019 report from the Race Equality Foundation underscored the need for culturally attuned psychotherapy, revealing lower access rates for BAME individuals.
In her commitment to revolutionizing corporate mental health, Roje launched Anxiet-Ease, a ground-breaking app designed to help professionals manage anxiety in high-pressure environments. The app, grounded in cognitive and behavioural techniques, offers tailored solutions for challenges like procrastination, perfectionism, and overwhelm. Anxiet-Ease will officially launch at the Women in Business and Tech Exhibition in London on October 2nd and 3rd, 2024, marking a significant milestone in Roje’s mission to transform mental health care for ambitious professionals, and women in business and technology.
Roje’s definition of leadership is rooted in amplifying voices and creating spaces where every story is heard, particularly for those from marginalized communities. Roje believes that true leadership involves using one’s influence to uplift others and foster a new generation of leaders. Her mission is to replace the stigma surrounding mental health with compassion and to integrate culturally attuned, evidence-based psychotherapy into the global corporate landscape.
Roje’s personal life is a source of inspiration and balance. Sunday mornings find her enjoying a latte at Café Nero. She finds joy in spending time with her family. Her hobbies, including Latin and Ballroom dance, whilst Yoga, and prayer help Roje maintain a balance between her mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Roje believes success can come from resilience and a commitment to personal and professional growth. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, particularly when dealing with perfectionism and overcommitment. Since 2009, Roje has provided personalized, evidence-based psychological support across various specialties, and with the launch of rkTherapy, she blended Western psychotherapy with Eastern philosophy and innovative technology, including the Anxiet-Ease app. This app offers a six-week guided self-help program to overcome anxiety, tailored for high-achieving professionals.
Roje’s message to entrepreneurs and professionals is simple: embrace your unique path, stay true to your vision, and view setbacks as valuable learning opportunities. Success in business, she believes, stems from an unwavering dedication to innovation. It’s not just about personal achievement but about one’s resilience and persistence to create solutions that enhance the lives and opportunities of others. For Roje, success comes from improving the world around us, opening doors for those who follow, and leaving a lasting positive impact on society.
Fighting a universal battle, Roje Khalique is on a mission to de-stigmatize mental health in corporate professionals, especially in ethnic minority communities in the UK. She aims to bridge the gap and provide personalized, culturally attuned mental health services through her company, rkTherapy. With nearly two decades of experience, Roje founded rkTherapy to offer bespoke psychological support to high-functioning professionals, particularly from Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority (BAME) communities. Discover more about Roje’s journey in Passion Vista’s latest edition of Global Game Changers.