Orwil Street Community House wishes to meet the needs of the community in the best possible way and our Counselling services are offered by accredited and experienced Counsellors. Cost: $50.00 for the first visit and $40.00 for all following visits. Please call the House for bookings or more information on 9783 5073.
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*Cancellation policy*
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If cancelling your appointment, 24 hours notice of cancellation must be given, otherwise, a fee will be charged. If you are a new client you may reschedule your first appointment twice giving the 24-hour notice. If this condition is not met, you will be asked to pay a booking fee of $50.00 before making any further appointments. At the first visit, you will be given a copy of our policy and will be asked to pay your fees before you commence your appointment.
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Please Note* We do not wish people to be excluded because of financial pressure, so please, talk to our Manager (in complete confidence) if costs are a problem for you.
Rachel Austin
A person-centred, mindful relationship-based, trauma-informed approach is at the core of Rachel’s therapeutic clinical counselling practice. Utilising a range of techniques within her clinical practice which include but are not limited to (ACT) acceptance and commitment therapy, (DBT) Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness and talk based-narrative therapy to comprehensively and holistically support an individual’s needs.
Rachel is wholeheartedly inspired by the impact of mental health therapy and advocating for positive behavioural change, early intervention and recognising the importance of close collaboration with children, families and support network and committed to strengthening
relationships.
With a long portfolio career in allied health and health sciences, the ability to assess and navigate complex trauma, with areas of special interest include emotional health and wellbeing, perinatal mental health - collaborating with individuals experiencing perinatal challenges including depression, grief and loss, life transitions and parenting, mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, sleep and eating disorders.
With an aim to foster a warm, compassionate and safe environment for her clients to enhance the therapeutic process, with an ongoing commitment to professional development, always adapting and integrating evidence-based approaches to her therapeutic practice that align with the client to support them.
Rachel has recently completed additional perinatal mental health training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) and more specific perinatal mental health training in addressing postnatal depression with the University of Exeter, furthermore, completing the training program for effective psychological treatment of borderline personality disorder and is
undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Children’s Health.
Sandra Garnier
Sandra is a warm and approachable counsellor who believes in people and their ability to overcome life’s struggles to find a healthier and more peaceful way of living.
She considers her counselling to be a collaboration between herself and her clients, accompanying them as a ‘companion’ along their journey to wellbeing. Sandra specialises in anxiety/depression counselling as well as relationship counselling and spiritual direction.
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Sandra has completed 8 full-time years post-year 12 study which includes a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science (Pastoral Counselling), (plus one year (3rd year) of a Social Work degree, plus a Diploma/of Arts Therapy (total of 4 years of Art Therapy qualifications.
Lynne Alexander
Lynne has many years of experience as a social worker, including the last 14 years of counselling in Community Health across a broad range of situations and needs.
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She is warm and compassionate and is skilled in working with anxiety and depression, family violence and recovery, parenting (including where children are expressing disrespectful/inappropriate behaviours), children and adolescents, social skills and relationship issues, adjustment to health issues, grief, trauma, and backgrounds of childhood abuse.
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Lynne has a holistic and respectful approach, being guided by what you want out of counselling.
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She has skills in several counselling approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and relaxation, art therapy, and has a particular interest in Narrative Therapy, which celebrates the complexity and richness of life stories and explores the creative skills people have used to respond to and manage difficult circumstances in their lives. Lynne sees her role as supporting people to gain a greater sense of confidence and control, to then find a way through the challenges that life can present. Lynne is Registered with Medicare and can provide Bulk Billing services.
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Wei Lai
Wei is an ACA registered Counsellor with A Master's Degree in Clinical Counselling and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and Sociology. He provides counselling sessions using a range of evidence based counselling techniques, and conducts sessions with great sensitivity and compassion. Sessions are centred around client success and goal focused solutions in healing. Wei fosters a safe, affirming, and inclusive space for trans and gender expansive folx and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. He utilises meditation techniques and music in his practice accordingly.
