Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

My experiences and childhood in Africa shaped my passion to help others and to work in the helping profession. I am an African-Australian mental health entrepreneurial woman. I aspire to take on every...

My experiences and childhood in Africa shaped my passion to help others and to work in the helping profession. I am an African-Australian mental health entrepreneurial woman. I aspire to take on every day with Passion, focussing on how to facilitate a sense of humble Humanity amongst people, and provide a sense of heritage in teaching Ubuntu (A person is a person through other people. I am because you are.) I promote a message of empowerment to promote dignity. I have worked in some of the most perilous communities in Africa, managed soup kitchen projects for violated children and the homeless; led rehabilitative group work projects with sex and murder offenders in Maximum Facilities; written about forensic psychopathology within a criminal world; facilitated activist projects on counteracting gender-based violence projects for sex workers; developed preventative programs assisting women in communities against unconsummated marriages and female genital mutilation; directed gender-based violence and sex-trafficking advocacy work projects in vulnerable communities; lead research projects speaking to the topic of violent crimes committed against children, tackling hard topics such as child organ transportation, child brides, female and male circumcisions and gender-based violence practices.

My journey begun at university. My academic background spans across 17 years of University Education. Despite often questioning my own sanity over that extended time being the 'Uni student', across...

My journey begun at university. My academic background spans across 17 years of University Education. Despite often questioning my own sanity over that extended time being the 'Uni student', across those years what I gained from it was an amazing learning experience that equipped me with unparallel knowledge experience and wisdom learning from some of the most acclaimed experts in the world. I now hold five University Degrees, including a Doctorate across fields of Psychology, Neurology, Junior Primary/Primary/high school Dance Education, and Journalism. I have been so fortunate to work in some amazing research teams all over the world and published multiple empirical studies in scientific journals. Within my practice, I often draws upon this incredible body of knowledge to inspire my clients, and transform their life.

I am naturally focussed on others and what is going on for them, and am 'hard wired' to help find solutions to life issues. I see us all facing some kind of suffering or difficulty at times, and this...

I am naturally focussed on others and what is going on for them, and am 'hard wired' to help find solutions to life issues. I see us all facing some kind of suffering or difficulty at times, and this approach that we are all the same, underpins my work. I also love people and their differences.

As a teenager I really enjoyed being with people, spending hours in conversations, getting to know others and myself. This love and interest in people led me to pursue further studies. Just prior...

As a teenager I really enjoyed being with people, spending hours in conversations, getting to know others and myself. This love and interest in people led me to pursue further studies. Just prior to migrating to Australia in the early 80's, I applied to study psychology at Poznan University in Poland. The exam was tough and I did not pass my German test (which was a part of the exam), hence did not get in. After arriving in Australia with one luggage and limited English, I needed to wait some years before I could even contemplate any studies. Eventually 7 years after my arrival, I applied to study Bachelor of Social Work and was looking to pursue my passion for working with people. This time I choose social work over psychology because of the broader conceptual approach of seeing the individuals not only as products of their own thoughts, beliefs and behaviours but also in relation to broader social, systemic, economic and environmental factors. And like they say: 'The rest is history.' In 1994 I completed my Bachelor of Social Work and later in 1999 my Masters of Gerontology, both at the University of South Australia. Following my university studies, I worked for over 20 years in various government organisations, providing counselling, therapy, and managerial services. During that time, I stumbled across something, which at that time was not frequently used in therapy: guided visualisation techniques. It is amazing how well people are improving just by using their own ability to visualise scenarios and possibilities. I felt that with guided visualisation techniques and therapeutic story telling, I was able to really help people. And this was my first step toward fine-tuning my knowledge in various psychotherapeutic techniques. This knowledge was then expanded by further studies in clinical hypnotherapy, mindfulness, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. In 2016 I completed my Certificate in Clinical Hypno-Psychotherapy, which was followed by my Diploma in Hypno-Counselling. A year and a half later, after conducting over 500 hypnotherapy sessions, I become a Clinical Hypnotherapist and have developed a high level of expertise in this therapeutic modality. My professional working experience along with lifelong training in psychology, sociology, communication, and psychotherapy provided me with the knowledge, tools, and experience to support people, and inspired me to open my own therapy practice. In 2016 I founded my therapy business and over the years, it has slowly grown and it is now well established. Currently, there are five of us at H-L Therapy and we are passionate about supporting people in achieving their best potential.

I was drawn to a career in psychotherapy/counseling due to a deep passion for helping others navigate their mental and emotional challenges. This was inspired from personal experiences with therapy...

I was drawn to a career in psychotherapy/counseling due to a deep passion for helping others navigate their mental and emotional challenges. This was inspired from personal experiences with therapy that inspire me to pay it forward. Another motivating factor was a desire to understand and address the complexities of the human mind. I come across as an empathetic person with strong listening skills, and a genuine interest in human behavior hence I naturally gravitated towards this profession. Additionally, this field offers the opportunity for personal and professional growth, as well as the satisfaction of making a positive impact on individuals' lives.

I began my career as a Naturopath and noticed that many people's health concerns had root causes in emotional and relational pain. This led me down the path of studying counselling and then...

I began my career as a Naturopath and noticed that many people's health concerns had root causes in emotional and relational pain. This led me down the path of studying counselling and then specialiasing in trauma, relational wounds and nervous system support.