Meet the Professional…

Hello! My name is Elen and I have been providing counselling, coaching and therapy now for approximately 21yrs. As a fellow human being, I understand the challenges that life can bring and that sometimes we need a little professional help to sort through those challenges, and acquire some strategies to begin the journey towards real and lasting change. Seeking help is not a weakness but rather a strength to want better than what is, to improve your circumstances, and to get on with life psychologically, emotionally and spiritually healthy.

Counselling/Coaching/Therapy is a very personal experience so therefore the Therapist/Client relationship is key. it is important that you feel comfortable and safe with the person you are working with throughout the process.

I consider it an absolute privilege to walk this journey with you and will always endeavour to make this experience one of the most valuable things you choose to do.

Some background info…

With a background in business administration, Health, and the Health & Fitness industry, as personal trainer and strength coach, and an interest in positive psychology it was a natural progression to move into work as a psychological counsellor, Therapist, and evolving my practice as a clinical therapist and coach. I am quite goal oriented and focused and it was important to me that as I journeyed into the world of counselling and coaching that I did this well and most importantly competently! For me competence meant that I needed to align myself with the experts for a good 10+ years, until I was ready to fully venture out into full-time private practice. Working under the umbrella of an organisation has taught me a great deal about best practice, and the tools that I need to establish my business and carry on my business well.

I have worked as a counsellor and relationship therapist for three different non-government counselling organisations (NGO’s) on the Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle areas working with a broad range of mental health issues, relationships and work/life issues. This has included providing counselling and therapy in a specialised service for victims of domestic/family violence, crime, and also co-facilitating groups for women and for children who had experienced/or were living with abuse. Trauma work is a strong element in this and many other cases I have worked and continue to work with.

I have had the opportunity to also work with refugees in a humanitarian counselling program in western Sydney, whilst also working in mainstream counselling services. In that time I gained a great deal of experience working with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in the Sydney inner west region and western Sydney. This has given me a better understanding and appreciation for other cultures and the diversity they bring. Having said that my parents are migrants who came to Australia back in the late 50’s who’s history is filled with poverty, displacement, trauma, and civil wars and believe that this gives me an edge to my work in understanding experiences that many therapists would have no clue about other than what they have learnt in a textbook!

I have also worked with Beyond Blue, with NSW Health - working in Critical Care, Women’s Health, and Mental Health, whilst continuing my therapy practice offering focused psychological strategies, coaching and psychotherapy.

I have extensive experience providing support through partnerships with several Employee Assistance Programs. This has also entailed onsite critical incidence support to organisations such as major banks, NSW Police, Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors, Health, Dept Education, Cricket and Tennis professionals, and community support, and other government and private agencies/corporations such as prominent Telecommunications companies and their staff.

As a degree qualified Career Development Counsellor, my work in this area has also included Career Advice to clients who were looking for change for a variety of reasons including retrenchment and transitions.

My time has also included supporting supervisors and managers organisationally around problem solving challenging situations with employee management and conflict.

My qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience cover a broad range of areas, however if one was to pick a special interest - it would be relationship dynamics, intimate, family, friendships and workplace environments and overall health and wellbeing.

Aside from private clients currently I am providing services to a variety of third party organisations such as:

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) Workplace support

• Veterans & Families Counselling services

• NSW Victims Services (Tier 2 approved Generalist Counsellor)

• GP Referred clients under Mental Health Care Plans (Medicare registered and rebates avail)

• A variety of different Health Funds are also included in providing some rebates for your visits.

Everyday is a new beginning... Take a deep breath... Smile... and start again.

- Unknown