Trauma and PTSD Counselling in Maddingley, VIC

Hi, I’m Tamera. I’m an Accredit Mental Health Social Worker and owner and director of Centre Self Collective, a private mental health practice and wellbeing hub. I am passionate about providing therapy, tools and resources to help you make sense of challenging times and develop ways to better manage difficulties and thrive in life. My approach to therapy is collaborative, strengths-based, sensitive and non-judgmental.

Clients often want to change their behaviour and improve their lives as well as their relationships. However, fear, trauma and past hurt can cause ambivalence. Counselling can help clients work through the why, how and what of making this change. By using a number of modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Person Centred, Strengths Based and Gestalt therapies, clients can find their way out of the dark. 'Beyond the Silence, there is always Hope'.

As a trained counsellor, through the Australian Counselling Association,I am passionate about listening to you, encouraging you through the process of unfolding and de-briefing. I want to help you to rediscover your innate wisdom, and reconnect to your uniquely beautiful self, you. I aim to support and guide you through change from anxiety, trauma and overwhelm, to healing, and returning to a sense of calm within.

Change is never easy, and neither is it easy to be stuck in the patterns that are keeping you from achieving the life you want for yourself. Whether you are struggling with a mental health condition and want to live symptom free or you are trying to achieve a life with more confidence to pursue your dreams, it starts with realising the need for a change. It requires bravery and strength to create those changes. Having a supportive, empathetic professional by your side can make the process more manageable and less isolating. It is important to find a professional who makes you feel understood and heard.

The name of my business, Thinking Outside The Box (TOTB) says everything about my beliefs and my business. When we Think Outside The Box, our worlds become bigger. Mental ill health or mental distress causes us to focus inwards and our lives become smaller. We stop doing things because the work that goes into managing a distressing situation is exhausting. You are reading this right now because you know or feel that something is not quite right in your life. This may be something you have felt for as long as you can remember or a recent event. Doesn't matter, your here now so lets see how we can help.

With over 20 years’ experience in the people helping field, including workplace critical incident; employee assistance program (EAP); 12-step recovery; peer education and support; and group facilitation. Tim is a caring and empathetic counsellor who journeys with people as they learn about themselves. Tim understands the many challenges life can bring and has significant lived experience over a range of issues including physiological trauma ; depression; men’s issues; relationships; miscarriage and infant loss; sexuality; and childhood sexual abuse. Tim works with clients to help them identify and move toward their preferred life.

My ideal client would be someone experiencing lack of intimacy & frequent conflicts in their relationship. Their presenting issues might involve lack of trust & unhealthy ways of communication. They would need skills & strategies to communicate more effectively & ways to make repairs after conflicts. They would also need tools to rebuild trust and foster intimacy. Another ideal client would be someone who has experienced trauma , childhood or more recent. They might experience anxiety, flashbacks & nightmares. Their goals would be to process the trauma & better manage their distressing thoughts & feelings.

Marisa utilises a range of therapeutic approaches to meet clients’ needs. Marisa works from a person-centred framework of respect and non-judgment, creating a safe space where clients can explore issues, collaboratively set goals and practice new ways of being.

We can focus on a specific problem area you bring to therapy, and delve to a deeper level of understanding of the issue/s so as to resolve it, or we can work in a more fluid, open-ended manner, with self-discovery in mind. While I am not resistant to diagnosis and working within a pathological lens, I like to see people outside of narrow diagnostic labels. In the first instance, my first approach is to understand a client’s suffering by learning about them as unique individuals with complex histories and adaptive coping strategies. As I engage wholeheartedly with clients, my ask is that clients attempt to engage wholeheartedly too.

Hello….I have been working as a therapist for many years. During this time, I have been privileged to hear the personal stories of many people and provide support to individuals often managing complex mental health concerns - including trauma and bereavement. Most people seek counselling to challenge inner fears, repetitive thoughts/habits or strong emotions. They might be finding it hard to get any 'traction' and move forward in life, perhaps feeling stuck. The goal of counselling is often to gain insight and relief, and ultimately to seek healthier life habits and experiences - which we are all capable of.

Kylie has experience working with first responders, veterans and, people experiencing family violence. She has also previously worked in a private psychiatric hospital developing and delivering group therapy programs to adults with a wide range of clinical needs. Areas of psychological counselling expertise and experience include grief and loss, stress, work-related problems, Depression, Anxiety, self-esteem issues, sleep difficulties, anger management, trauma , deliberate self-harm and suicidality as well as providing counselling and support to individuals experiencing, at risk of, or recovering from domestic or family violence.

I work with people who are feeling overwhelmed and stressed; are being held back by anxiety or depression; are concerned about their drug and/or alcohol use; or are trying to support someone with substance use issues. I understand that these issues can be complex and multifaceted. I work with people to manage their issues while learning new coping skills, building their self-esteem and capacity using their strengths in order to achieve their goals.

Accepting new referrals. I take a holistic, person- approach to therapy and am focused on helping people develop the coping skills, capacity, and psychological growth needed to achieve their individual goals. I have experience supporting people with a wide range of issues and mental health conditions including, but not limited to: Addiction problems (substance use, gambling, videogames), Depression, Anxiety and worry, Stress, Grief and loss, Borderline Personality Disorder, Emotion regulation difficulties, Interpersonal relationship problems, Trauma , Problem behaviours, and Coping/adjustment issues.

I am a Clinical and Counselling psychologist with over 30 years experience working extensively with Individuals, Couples and Adolescents. My areas of expertise include: Relationships and Interpersonal Issues; Anxiety/Depression management; Conflict resolution and Mediation; Self-esteem and Assertiveness Training; Stress Management; Bullying - School and Workplace; Gender/ Sexuality Concerns; Trauma / PTSD ; Adjusting to Transitions and Life Change; Grief and Loss ; Anger Management; and Parenting Skills.