Mr Matthew Austin
Social Worker, Gestalt Therapist
Matthew Austin Counselling
Abbotsford, Melbourne VIC 3067
In Person + Telehealth
Philosophy & Vision
Caring & non-judgemental counselling for LGBTQIA+ folk. You may have been feeling bad about yourself and have noticed that you have been acting in inauthentic ways. Perhaps you are worried others won't accept the real you. It's been difficult to share your self-critical thoughts with others. I help LGBTQIA+ folk with a non-Judgmental and caring space to explore and better understand and process their distress.
Background
In addition to my decade of experience in counselling, I hold a Bachelor of Social Work, a Certificate in Developmental Psychiatry, and an Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy. More recently I have completed EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Levels 1 & 2. Learn more about this approach here.
I am also a mental health social worker and offer Medicare rebates.
For information on my full work history check out my LinkedIn profile.
Services
My clients have expressed to me that they have experienced the following in counselling:
Better able to take care of their vulnerabilities.
Can calm self-critical thoughts and access self-compassion.
Increased self-awareness of their emotions and how to mindfully respond to these.
Been able to locate and heal parts of the self that feels stuck in the past and are holding trauma.
An increased capacity to notice patterns in relationships.
Increased confidence in regulating their distress.
Showing up in their relationships in the best version of themselves.
Quality Provision
I use outcome measure tools to measure whether you are reaching your goals. If our sessions aren't helping you, I encourage you to talk to me honestly about your experience. This information helps me adjust how I work to best meet your needs. Typically, my clients notice an increased sense of inner wellbeing, more self-compassion and more mindful interactions in relationships.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Bachelor of Social Work - 2008 - University of South Australia
- Certificate of Developmental Psychiatry - 2011 - University of Melbourne
- Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy - 2013 - Gestalt Therapy Australia
Modalities
Attachment Theory - EMDR - Emotionally Focused Therapy - Gestalt - Internal Family Systems - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
In sessions, you can expect a caring and warm approach from me that will help you open up and share what’s been troubling you. I will at times ask you what’s happening in your body to bring you awareness into the present and to notice feeling states you might not be aware of. We will explore your current relationships and how these have been impacted by past relationships.
We may also do some Internal Family Systems work. This therapy method helps us get to know the various parts of your psyche and identify which parts are holding trauma from the past and which parts of you are protecting those vulnerabilities. Following IFS I have found clients can access greater self-compassion, turn the volume down on their inner critic and process past trauma which together results in increased inner wellbeing.
Professional Associations
- Australian Association of Social Workers
Practice Locations
21 Henry St
Abbotsford VIC 3067
The nearest form of public transport is the Collingwood train station (a 4-minute walk). The nearest trams are the 86 (10-minute walk), 12 and 109 (6-minute walk). If you are driving, keep in mind that Henry St is a one-way street running south; you enter the street via Gipps St. 4-hour parking is available on the right side of the road and 1-hour parking on the left.
Appointments
Online and in-person. Through a secure video-based platform called Coviu. I can also call you on a secure line if you wish to have your session on the phone. I will help you find a space that is private and comfortable to talk.
Fees & Insurance
$230 for a 60 minute session.
Payment Options
This is payable on the day of your session, I keep a debit card on file and charge this the day of the session. You are currently eligible for a total of 10 sessions via a mental health plan.
Contact Matthew
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Matthew Austin
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My parents were foster parents and i was exposed to social workers and social services at a young age. Through my social work career i got to know colleagues who were counsellors and was drawn to working more intimately one on one with clients.
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I believe that when we befriend our emotions we can live more vividly and wholly. This principal drew me to training as a Gestalt Therapist, it also drew me to IFS and EMDR.
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LGBTQIA experiences.
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Psycho education, general counselling, gestalt therapy and IFS for self awareness, and EMDR for processing trauma.
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Usually within sessions 1-3.
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I have been in therapy since i was a late adolescent and through that time become more whole and myself.
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Seeing clients grow and become more themselves.
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Ha! Yes, mostly when i'm tired.
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Climate change.
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Recovering from emotionally immature adults by Lindsay Gibson and Bittersweet by Susan Cain.