Counselling in Carlton, VIC

Hi there, my name is Taf Manhambo. I am a clinical social worker/ mental health therapist and clinical supervisor. I am so glad you're here. I'd like to welcome you to a service for you- a safe space to experience, healing, growth and rediscover your worth in a supportive, nurturing and non-judgmental environment.

Women Assist is a professional counselling and psychotherapy service that supports all people who identify as women with their mental health and well-being. We are a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive service, offering counselling and psychotherapy via telephone or online video platform.

Welcome to my profile! I've dedicated my life to helping people of all ages and backgrounds navigate their way through life's challenges, and I do so with compassion, care, and empathy. I was born in Borneo, identify as gay, and have experience living in different countries and cultures. I offer more than ten years of clinical experience in counselling and psychotherapy, specialising in loss and grief, gender and sexuality, complex trauma and abuse, attachment issues, ASD, ADHD, personality disorders, relationship and intimacy issues, anger management, family conflicts, workplace bullying, and intercultural adjustment issues.

Bachelor in Psychology; Graduate in Psychology; Post-Graduation in Art Therapy; Post-Graduation in Psychological Practice in Institutions. I undertook my psychological training in Brazil and have more than 15 years of experience in the provision of mental health care and psychological services. I am now a registered Australian Psychologist. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, dealing with a range of complex emotional disorders, illnesses and life challenges. I am passionate about humanistic care and have extensive experience with existential therapy, client-centred and narrative therapy.

My therapeutic style is highly collaborative, supportive, strength-focused, and motivational. I believe in creating a supportive and empowering space in which to arm clients with a strong individualised “tool kit” to help manage both everyday and long-term challenges. I offer a broad range of therapeutic modalities to suit the specific needs of the client. I have strong expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Anger Management, and Mindfulness-Based Approaches.

I am experienced in providing effective treatment for a range of mental health conditions including trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties, life transitions and personal coaching. I strongly believe in a person-centred and evidence based approach.

Elena is a registered Psychologist with many years’ experience assisting people manage life stressors and challenges. Elena’s experience stems from years working in various setting to support people struggling with mental health. She utilizes a range of approaches, tailored to meet the individual’s needs, and recognizes that everyone has strengths and capabilities that that can be built on.

Jess offers individual counselling, couples counselling and supervision. Jess is welcoming and friendly. She recognises the importance of building a therapeutic relationship to which people can bring problems and issues without judgement. Jess understands that we all experience uncomfortable and unhelpful behaviours and feelings. With support and some gently challenging, these behaviours and feelings can start to shift.

I particularly assist clients that require therapy in the areas of anxiety, substance abuse (other addictions), depression and relationship issues. My focus is on working with the client towards personal development and goal setting. Each client is so very unique, hence, requires a personal counselling approach that is catered entirely for them. As a therapist, i work with various approaches such as: CBT, ACT, humanistic approach and TRTP (trauma therapy) amongst many other(s).

People are bombarded with messages telling them to be perfect. The typical belief is that problems should be solved quickly, in one go, in order to feel better about themselves. This approach completely disregards the fact that problems are complicated and multifaceted in nature, and that it's normal for people to need patience for healing. This mentality also ignores how much work it takes for someone who has experienced hardships to heal. We all need to find a way to heal and move through adversity for a more fulfilling and satisfying life. No matter who you are or where you've been, you have the capacity for healing.

Life throws all sorts of curveballs. It's a necessary skill to be able to dodge or deal with them before things fall to pieces and these skills can be learned! And if it's too late for that, I can help you to pick up the pieces and put them back together in a way that creates a stronger and more connected you.

Immediately Available - No Waitlist - Registered Clinical Psychotherapist and Registered Mental Health Practitioner. Are you overwhelmed, anxious or depressed or seeking practical support? Are you struggling with an issue on your own? We can work this out together to help you feel more in control. I can help you see your situation more clearly with talking therapy and somatically integrating body/mind experiences for emotional distress support for anxiety, depression and trauma (CPTSD) ie. brain intervention (7-8 sessions). Relationship struggles ? including narcissism tendencies or sex issues (emotional, physical or sexual).

I have worked with clients with a broad range of issues and with a broad range of backgrounds (substance use, homelessness, mental health, existential enquiry and much more). No matter what solution each person seeks, the starting point is always towards self-acceptance and increased awareness.

I have 28 yrs counselling experience. I specialise in working with adults & couples supporting mental health and wellbeing, trauma & relationship issues. I specialise working along side clients with intersectionality identities. I am strategy and strength focussed and work across various therapeutic modalities to suit my client's needs.

Ultimately I am human like you with a story and life experiences like you. As a Clinical Psychologist and Counselling Psychologist I can offer you support at this time with: anger, anxiety (general, health, panic, specific phobia, social), attachment, bereavement, complicated grief, CPTSD, depression, impact of cancer, life transitions, low self-esteem, managing emotions, neurodevelopment (ASD, ADHD, FAS), personality disorders (BPD), PTSD, relationship problems, self-harm, self-identity, stress management, substance abuse (alcohol, illicit, prescribed), suicidal thoughts, trauma (combat, emotional, physical, sexual).