Family Psychologists and Therapists in Oakleigh
I’m Shanilka, a registered psychologist and founder of Nirvana Psychology. I provide therapy to individuals across Melbourne, including Oakleigh and Chadstone, with Telehealth available Australia-wide.
I work with adolescents and adults, from complex concerns to NDIS, to everyday challenges that come with work, relationships, identity, stress, or major life transitions.
My approach to therapy is grounded in patience, compassion, and deep respect for each person’s unique journey.
Born and raised in Australia with a proud Sri Lankan heritage, I bring a nuanced understanding of multicultural identity and cross-cultural awareness.
I’m Shanilka, a registered psychologist and founder of Nirvana Psychology. I provide therapy to individuals across Melbourne, including Oakleigh and Chadstone, with Telehealth available Australia-wide.
I work with adolescents and adults, from complex concerns to NDIS, to everyday challenges that come with work, relationships, identity, stress, or major life transitions.
My approach to therapy is grounded in patience, compassion, and deep respect for each person’s unique journey.
Born and raised in Australia with a proud Sri Lankan heritage, I bring a nuanced understanding of multicultural identity and cross-cultural awareness.
As a counsellor, my desire is to help people by providing a safe environment where they can express their emotions, thoughts, fears, and where they can be open about how they feel. Seeing my clients improving their issues, reaching their goals, overcoming their challenges and obstacles are the most fulfilling things for me as a counsellor. I have lived in different countries and witnessed different backgrounds. My experience counselling people with different issues and conditions taught me how to understand what my clients actually need so I can help as best as I can. Everyone has a unique story and I hope I can create a safe spa
As a counsellor, my desire is to help people by providing a safe environment where they can express their emotions, thoughts, fears, and where they can be open about how they feel. Seeing my clients improving their issues, reaching their goals, overcoming their challenges and obstacles are the most fulfilling things for me as a counsellor. I have lived in different countries and witnessed different backgrounds. My experience counselling people with different issues and conditions taught me how to understand what my clients actually need so I can help as best as I can. Everyone has a unique story and I hope I can create a safe spa
I have experience working with a variety of presentations, and has worked with adults and adolescents on issues including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem, resilience, assertiveness, coping, sleep issues, drug and alcohol issues, and addictive behaviours. Please feel free to reach out for a brief conversation to see if I'm the right fit for you.
I have experience working with a variety of presentations, and has worked with adults and adolescents on issues including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem, resilience, assertiveness, coping, sleep issues, drug and alcohol issues, and addictive behaviours. Please feel free to reach out for a brief conversation to see if I'm the right fit for you.
An intuitive and compassionate counsellor with over a decade of experience guiding individuals, couples, and families through complex emotional and relational challenges.
Emotions offer valuable insights into our core needs. I guide my clients in developing emotional intelligence, strengthening relational connections, and cultivating resilience. I have a special passion for supporting parents and children, helping them navigate parenting challenges and bridge cultural and generational differences.
An intuitive and compassionate counsellor with over a decade of experience guiding individuals, couples, and families through complex emotional and relational challenges.
Emotions offer valuable insights into our core needs. I guide my clients in developing emotional intelligence, strengthening relational connections, and cultivating resilience. I have a special passion for supporting parents and children, helping them navigate parenting challenges and bridge cultural and generational differences.
You might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your thoughts, or having trouble switching off. Perhaps anxiety is feeling big, your mood feels low, or everyday tasks feel more difficult than they should. You might also feel like your mind is always busy, scattered, or working against you rather than with you. I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and those with ADHD or autism who want to better understand themselves and feel more in control of their lives. Together, we can understand your experiences— whether it's managing emotions, reducing overthinking, building confidence, or navigating daily life.
You might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your thoughts, or having trouble switching off. Perhaps anxiety is feeling big, your mood feels low, or everyday tasks feel more difficult than they should. You might also feel like your mind is always busy, scattered, or working against you rather than with you. I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and those with ADHD or autism who want to better understand themselves and feel more in control of their lives. Together, we can understand your experiences— whether it's managing emotions, reducing overthinking, building confidence, or navigating daily life.
Life can feel overwhelming when emotions run deep or your world has shifted in ways you didn’t expect. I support women and individuals navigating grief, trauma, birth loss, identity changes, behavioural challenges, and emotional overwhelm. My approach integrates art therapy, somatic awareness, and transpersonal counselling to gently explore what is held beneath the surface. Working from Murrumbeena, and supporting clients across Carnegie, Hughesdale, Oakleigh, and Bentleigh, I offer a grounded, safe space to reconnect with yourself and move forward with clarity and strength.
Life can feel overwhelming when emotions run deep or your world has shifted in ways you didn’t expect. I support women and individuals navigating grief, trauma, birth loss, identity changes, behavioural challenges, and emotional overwhelm. My approach integrates art therapy, somatic awareness, and transpersonal counselling to gently explore what is held beneath the surface. Working from Murrumbeena, and supporting clients across Carnegie, Hughesdale, Oakleigh, and Bentleigh, I offer a grounded, safe space to reconnect with yourself and move forward with clarity and strength.
She has had experience working in both private and public communities with families and individuals, regarding complex situations pertaining to trauma, abuse, neglect, and family violence.
Aki works from a client-centered perspective and draws from a range of evidence based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-based approaches and Solution Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Process Therapy, Trauma-based Therapy & Schema therapy.
She has had experience working in both private and public communities with families and individuals, regarding complex situations pertaining to trauma, abuse, neglect, and family violence.
Aki works from a client-centered perspective and draws from a range of evidence based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-based approaches and Solution Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Process Therapy, Trauma-based Therapy & Schema therapy.
I provide support to individual adults, families and couples.
I am a very capable and committed counsellor, and passionate about supporting clients to make a difference in their life through empowerment, reflection and understanding. Each person is unique and requires an individual approach in meeting his or her specific needs. You will feel connected, safe and heard in sessions with me, working collaboratively in a positive and uplifting environment. I am deeply committed to helping you overcome immediate concerns and skilled at using various therapies and techniques in a client-centred approach to provide you with the tools to grow and work towards living life to the fullest.
I provide support to individual adults, families and couples.
I am a very capable and committed counsellor, and passionate about supporting clients to make a difference in their life through empowerment, reflection and understanding. Each person is unique and requires an individual approach in meeting his or her specific needs. You will feel connected, safe and heard in sessions with me, working collaboratively in a positive and uplifting environment. I am deeply committed to helping you overcome immediate concerns and skilled at using various therapies and techniques in a client-centred approach to provide you with the tools to grow and work towards living life to the fullest.
There are times in life when it’s important to reach out for help. I enjoy working with a range of people and presentations including: anxiety or mood challenges, life adjustments, work and academic stress, self-esteem, boundaries and assertiveness development, trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues, and support for people in carer roles. Women's health is a particular interest, including antenatal and postnatal through to menopause support, and neurodivergence (ADHD and Autism) in women.
There are times in life when it’s important to reach out for help. I enjoy working with a range of people and presentations including: anxiety or mood challenges, life adjustments, work and academic stress, self-esteem, boundaries and assertiveness development, trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues, and support for people in carer roles. Women's health is a particular interest, including antenatal and postnatal through to menopause support, and neurodivergence (ADHD and Autism) in women.
I am a bilingual psychologist (English and Greek) working with anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, depression, trauma, attention deficits, autism, grief and loss, chronic pain, relationship and family difficulties, life transitions, and workplace stress.
My approach is, collaborative, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based. Together, we work to create a treatment plan that ensures each of your goals and needs is met and we move at a pace that works for you. I believe in creating a warm, respectful and nurturing therapeutic relationship that facilitates psychological growth and recovery.
I am a bilingual psychologist (English and Greek) working with anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, depression, trauma, attention deficits, autism, grief and loss, chronic pain, relationship and family difficulties, life transitions, and workplace stress.
My approach is, collaborative, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based. Together, we work to create a treatment plan that ensures each of your goals and needs is met and we move at a pace that works for you. I believe in creating a warm, respectful and nurturing therapeutic relationship that facilitates psychological growth and recovery.
I am a Level 4 ACA counsellor with over 18 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, families, children, and NDIS clients.
I believe that loving yourself is the foundation for healthy, fulfilling relationships with others. Life can be challenging, and it’s easy to lose your sense of direction, confidence, or self-worth along the way. With over 18 years of experience, I support clients with warmth, empathy, and unconditional understanding, creating a safe space to explore challenges, heal, and grow.
Together, we work to help you reconnect with your true self, build self-compassion, and gain the clarity and tools you need to navigate life’s difficulties, and to attain your goals, be they emotional balance, stronger relationships or personal growth.
I am a Level 4 ACA counsellor with over 18 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, families, children, and NDIS clients.
I believe that loving yourself is the foundation for healthy, fulfilling relationships with others. Life can be challenging, and it’s easy to lose your sense of direction, confidence, or self-worth along the way. With over 18 years of experience, I support clients with warmth, empathy, and unconditional understanding, creating a safe space to explore challenges, heal, and grow.
Together, we work to help you reconnect with your true self, build self-compassion, and gain the clarity and tools you need to navigate life’s difficulties, and to attain your goals, be they emotional balance, stronger relationships or personal growth.
I offer an eclectic and integrated approach to helping client's to successfully manage their lives. I am deeply committed to drawing-out the client's own innate potential to respond to their challenges. I firmly believe the 'obstacle is the way'. Rebates are available for clients with mental health treatment plans from their GP. More information available at www.stillpointpsychology.com.au
I offer an eclectic and integrated approach to helping client's to successfully manage their lives. I am deeply committed to drawing-out the client's own innate potential to respond to their challenges. I firmly believe the 'obstacle is the way'. Rebates are available for clients with mental health treatment plans from their GP. More information available at www.stillpointpsychology.com.au
My passion is to help individuals and their families connect through the crisis of addiction and recovery.
Hi, my name is Murray. I'm an Addiction Specialist, Counsellor, Christian Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor. With an extensive background in addictions, my knowledge of the topic reaches beyond the norm having lived my own personal experience seeking help and residential rehabilitation for a drug and alcohol addiction and deteriorating mental health as a young adult. I have over twelve years’ professional experience in the Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) sector, and ten years professional experience as a counsellor, including six years living and working in a residential drug & alcohol rehabilitation centre.
My passion is to help individuals and their families connect through the crisis of addiction and recovery.
Hi, my name is Murray. I'm an Addiction Specialist, Counsellor, Christian Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor. With an extensive background in addictions, my knowledge of the topic reaches beyond the norm having lived my own personal experience seeking help and residential rehabilitation for a drug and alcohol addiction and deteriorating mental health as a young adult. I have over twelve years’ professional experience in the Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) sector, and ten years professional experience as a counsellor, including six years living and working in a residential drug & alcohol rehabilitation centre.
Play based CCPT and Interplay therapy support families in a safe space, where relationship is paramount.
EMDR & Play based parent and/or child sessions can be really impactful way of helping you connect with your child to work through inner feelings, and process what might be challenging in your relationship. It is often really tough for children to express what's going on for them using words, and this is often why they find ways to communicate with us through their behaviour. This can feel scary and overwhelming for us as caregivers, who may just be needing things to become a little easier at home.
I also offer EMDR to children and adolescents - allowing young people to safely process their internal needs and worries meaningfully.
Play based CCPT and Interplay therapy support families in a safe space, where relationship is paramount.
EMDR & Play based parent and/or child sessions can be really impactful way of helping you connect with your child to work through inner feelings, and process what might be challenging in your relationship. It is often really tough for children to express what's going on for them using words, and this is often why they find ways to communicate with us through their behaviour. This can feel scary and overwhelming for us as caregivers, who may just be needing things to become a little easier at home.
I also offer EMDR to children and adolescents - allowing young people to safely process their internal needs and worries meaningfully.
With experience in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders, family violence and physical disabilities, Rachel brings a comprehensive approach to her practice.
Rachel understands that creating a therapeutic relationship built on trust and empathy is essential for positive outcomes. She believes in taking a holistic approach that involves collaborating closely with families and support teams, recognizing the integral role they play in therapeutic success.
With experience in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders, family violence and physical disabilities, Rachel brings a comprehensive approach to her practice.
Rachel understands that creating a therapeutic relationship built on trust and empathy is essential for positive outcomes. She believes in taking a holistic approach that involves collaborating closely with families and support teams, recognizing the integral role they play in therapeutic success.
I offer a supportive and non-judgemental space, with respect for your experiences, culture, and pace. My practice is person-centred and collaborative, drawing from evidence-based approaches to explore what matters most to you.
People may seek psychological support for reasons including anxiety, low mood, trauma, grief, or significant life changes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in familiar patterns, or unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Sometimes it can be hard to put what you’re experiencing into words — and that’s okay. Through therapy, there is space to explore this together, at a pace that feels right for you.
I offer a supportive and non-judgemental space, with respect for your experiences, culture, and pace. My practice is person-centred and collaborative, drawing from evidence-based approaches to explore what matters most to you.
People may seek psychological support for reasons including anxiety, low mood, trauma, grief, or significant life changes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in familiar patterns, or unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Sometimes it can be hard to put what you’re experiencing into words — and that’s okay. Through therapy, there is space to explore this together, at a pace that feels right for you.
I also use Internal Family Systems, EMDR Flash Technique for trauma as well as mindfullness.
Do you feel on edge, easily distracted, or irritable? Do you catch yourself overanalyzing and questioning decisions or interactions with other people? Do you feel disconnected, lonely, or unsure of yourself? These are all natural feelings, and we all struggle sometimes. But occasionally life throws curve balls at us and moving forward requires a little more work. This can be especially true if you have recently experienced a significant life change. Therapy can offer the needed support and change of perspective by unveiling new insights. It can also bring lasting benefits to your relationships and interactions.
I also use Internal Family Systems, EMDR Flash Technique for trauma as well as mindfullness.
Do you feel on edge, easily distracted, or irritable? Do you catch yourself overanalyzing and questioning decisions or interactions with other people? Do you feel disconnected, lonely, or unsure of yourself? These are all natural feelings, and we all struggle sometimes. But occasionally life throws curve balls at us and moving forward requires a little more work. This can be especially true if you have recently experienced a significant life change. Therapy can offer the needed support and change of perspective by unveiling new insights. It can also bring lasting benefits to your relationships and interactions.
I specialise in trauma informed care and have a deep understanding of the complex and long-lasting impacts it can have on you. In some cases, therapy itself can be a source of more trauma. Your safety is my highest priority as we work together and empower you to have a say in how we approach your symptoms. There is no one size fits all and so with your feedback, we will find the best suited interventions for you.
I specialise in trauma informed care and have a deep understanding of the complex and long-lasting impacts it can have on you. In some cases, therapy itself can be a source of more trauma. Your safety is my highest priority as we work together and empower you to have a say in how we approach your symptoms. There is no one size fits all and so with your feedback, we will find the best suited interventions for you.
I work alongside children, adolescents, adults, older adults (65 older), and families, creating a safe space where each person feels heard, understood, and supported in their unique journey.
My therapeutic approach is compassionate, empathetic, and grounded, with a warm, down-to-earth style. I place great value on building a strong, trusting relationship, working collaboratively with you to support your goals. I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and neurodiversity-affirming space, where every individual is respected, understood, and supported without judgment, allowing your unique strengths and experiences to guide your journey.
I work alongside children, adolescents, adults, older adults (65 older), and families, creating a safe space where each person feels heard, understood, and supported in their unique journey.
My therapeutic approach is compassionate, empathetic, and grounded, with a warm, down-to-earth style. I place great value on building a strong, trusting relationship, working collaboratively with you to support your goals. I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and neurodiversity-affirming space, where every individual is respected, understood, and supported without judgment, allowing your unique strengths and experiences to guide your journey.
You might feel overwhelmed, stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand, or unsure how to move forward. Maybe you’re dealing with anxiety, people pleasing, overthinking, or feeling like you’ve lost touch with who you are. It’s likely you’re carrying more than most people realise.
I’m a psychologist who helps people work through trauma, relationship struggles, risky behaviours, and major life transitions. Therapy with me is about creating a safe space to unpack what’s going on and start feeling like the version of yourself you want to be.
You might feel overwhelmed, stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand, or unsure how to move forward. Maybe you’re dealing with anxiety, people pleasing, overthinking, or feeling like you’ve lost touch with who you are. It’s likely you’re carrying more than most people realise.
I’m a psychologist who helps people work through trauma, relationship struggles, risky behaviours, and major life transitions. Therapy with me is about creating a safe space to unpack what’s going on and start feeling like the version of yourself you want to be.
Nearby Family Therapy Searches for Oakleigh
- Ashburton
- Ashwood
- Bentleigh East
- Burwood
- Carnegie
- Chadstone
- Clayton
- Glen Huntly
- Hughesdale
- Malvern East
- Mount Waverley
- Murrumbeena
FAQ - About Family Therapy
What do family therapists do?
A family therapist facilitates the process of understanding and improving how a family functions. The therapist will help family members develop empathy for one another. They’ll seek to understand existing patterns, misunderstandings, and conflicts that arise, in order to help the family arrive at a realistic, unified understanding and develop the coping skills they need to build stronger relationships.
How long does therapy for families take to work?
Therapy manifests differently in every family; a common time frame is 12 weekly sessions, but some families may see improvement after just a few weeks. Families should discuss their goals with the therapist at the beginning of the process and periodically revisit those goals to assess their progress together.
How can you encourage a family member to attend family therapy?
You can encourage family members to attend therapy by expressing with both love and concern the challenges you see and explaining how a therapist could help the family navigate those challenges together. An outside perspective can help everyone feel heard, get on the same page, and develop new skills. If family members are still hesitant, it may be helpful to emphasize that family therapy is short-term—it won’t last forever.
Is therapy for families effective?
Family therapy can significantly improve family dynamics and relationships. Research suggests that family therapy can help individuals understand their role in the family, communicate and solve problems together, reduce conflict and draw boundaries when necessary, and develop coping skills for stressors, major life changes, and mental or physical illnesses within the family.