Ms Loredana Punal
Psychotherapist, Holistic Counsellor
Heart-centred Counselling and Psychotherapy
Neutral Bay, Sydney NSW 2089
In Person + Online Therapy
Philosophy & Vision
I bring a warm and empathic understanding and curiosity to whatever challenges you bring to therapy. By gently holding space for the hurt and pain, confusion and struggle, anger and loneliness, I support you to re-establish access to your inner strengths, qualities and knowing.
Through planting the seeds of awareness and transformation, cultivating trust in your self and the healing process, I hold the vision that you can experience life differently, with more meaning, more enjoyment and less pain.
My initial counselling training laid the foundations of my compassionate approach, whilst my psychotherapy training enables me to undertake deeper therapeutic work with clients who have experienced childhood trauma.
Background
Having faced my own challenges in life - from adverse childhood experiences, to migration, divorce, miscarriages, career transition, parenting and relationship challenges - I have learned to value and be present to the simple gifts that life offers. From a more grounded and supported space, I find that I can more easily withstand whatever challenges life has in store for me.
From my holistic counselling training over a decade ago, which laid the foundations of my compassionate approach, to my postgraduate psychotherapy training and development, which has expanded my skills into psychodynamic, somatic, interpersonal and systemic approaches, I have both experiential and theoretical skills to support clients with varied life challenges.
Services
I offer both phone/video and in person sessions. In person sessions are held in a large studio room, allowing for distancing and hygiene protocols.
I offer both short term counselling in time of crisis and transition, as well as longer term and deeper psychotherapeutic work.
I welcome you to reach out for a brief phone conversation about your specific needs, to discuss if we are a good fit.
Quality Provision
As a member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), I uphold high ethical standards, a non-judgemental attitude, and cultural sensitivity.
I am committed to quality and regular clinical supervision and clinical reflection; ongoing professional training and development; peer learning and peer support groups; as well as my own ongoing personal therapy and development.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Somatic Psychotherapy Training - Year 1 - 2021 - Institute of Somatic Psychotherapy, Sydney, AU
- Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy - 2019 - The Jansen Newman Institute, Sydney, AU
- Diploma of Counselling - 2008 - The Hammond Institute, Sydney, AU
Modalities
Attachment Theory - Holistic - Internal Family Systems - Person Centred - Psychodynamic - Short-term Psychodynamic - Somatic Psychotherapy - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
First and foremost, my approach values an emphasis on creating a safe space in our session(s), reawakening and nurturing a client's forgotten/hidden inner resources, and acknowledging and being with what is - whatever that happens to be... pain, guilt, shame, anger, anxiousness, confusion, indecisiveness, or overwhelm.
Over time, with a gentle introduction of somatically-minded breath and body awareness, we can start to safely unpack the difficult experiences that have brought you to therapy. Weaving a psychodynamic and interpersonal approach into the work, ensures that deeper issues are explored and loosened, in order to make room for sustainable change in your day to day life, even where change initially seems impossible.
Professional Associations
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia - Clinical
Practice Locations
Suite 1, 32 May Lane
Neutral Bay NSW 2089
Suite 311, 410 Elizabeth St
(Central Station, exit 6, Chalmers St)
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Appointments
Weekday, evening and weekend appointments available.
Fees & Insurance
My standard fee is $135 per 1-hour session.
I offer sliding scale fees upon request for online sessions.
Payment Options
Preference for electronic bank transfer, however cash and credit card also accepted.
Contact Loredana
Please contact me to make an appointment