Psychologists & Counsellors in Erina

Pauline is a warm and caring counsellor with almost 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families in both New Zealand and Australia. She is professionally registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (MNZAC). She holds a Diploma in Counselling and a Diploma in Alcohol & Others Drugs Studies, as well as qualifications in gambling and impulse disorders, youth work and child development.

Throughout her career, Pauline has worked in public, private and community settings with adults and young people from various cultural backgrounds. She is particularly experienced supporting clients with issues relating to relationships, family, and sexuality. As well as working in private practice, Pauline works for NSW Health as a Sexual Health Counsellor.

Pauline is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals, whether that be improving their relationships, changing their behaviours, or gaining deeper self-awareness. She believes in helping her clients recognise their own strengths and capabilities in order to find motivation from within.

Pauline is trained in a range of therapeutic techniques, which she adapts to each client’s needs. She may draw on Family Systems Therapy, which explores the deeper impacts of our close relationships, or Narrative Therapy, to build client awareness and insight. Pauline is also trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, which are proven techniques to help with behaviour change.

Pauline takes an open, non-judgmental approach with her clients, creating a safe space to explore deeper issues and identify pathways to improvement.

Howard is a Registered Psychologist with over 25 years experience in the provision of individual, couples and family therapy. He holds a Masters in Psychology from Sydney University and a Masters in Organisational Psychology from the University of New South Wales. He has also studied workplace counselling at the Australian Catholic University and undertaken training in couples and family therapy with Relationships Australia.

Howard has worked extensively in the public health, corporate and military sectors, as well as in the private sector. He has experience in a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodrama, Psychoanalysis, Family Systems Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Organisational Change, and works eclectically across all these therapeutic forms to suit the individual needs of his clients.

He has worked successfully with clients presenting with a wide range of challenges including anxiety, workplace stress, depression, drug & alcohol addiction, trauma, anger and relationship problems. He uses a practical but supportive approach, aiming to assist his clients to achieve their goals as quickly as possible.

Howard works with his clients to help them achieve a richer, fuller and more meaningful life.

Silvia is a Registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (Sydney), a Bachelor of Psychology and Sociology from Greenwich University (London) and is currently working towards full certification as a Somatic Experiencing® practitioner with Somatic Experiencing® International.

Silvia’s journey of connecting with her authentic self, self-discovery and curating conscious relationships inspired her to help others navigate their own challenges. She has since obtained experience in various mental health settings including for Not-for-Profit organisations, in-patient services at South Pacific Private Hospital, as a grief counsellor, and as a school counsellor.

Silvia brings a wealth of knowledge, insight and life experience to her work in private practice. She is experienced working with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, trauma, bereavement, self-esteem, anger management, life transitions, addictions, eating disorders and relationship issues. Silvia also has expertise in group facilitation and regularly facilitates programs on wide-ranging topics such as emotional regulation, negative core beliefs, co-dependency and parenting. Silvia’s work has been featured in Australian magazines including Marie Claire, Women’s Weekly and Body + Soul.

As an Integrative and Trauma-Informed therapist, in her work, Silvia draws on various approaches, including Gestalt Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Experiencing® techniques, and Family Systems Therapy. She also draws on Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory, Inner Child Work, and Mindfulness-based techniques.

Silvia is a warm, supportive and compassionate counsellor, who tailors her approach to meet the unique needs and circumstances of each client. She is passionate about fostering a sense of self, healing relational wounds and conflicts, and resolving unfinished business from the past through a safe and caring therapeutic relationship.

Silvia can help to guide you to foster resilience, cultivate inner balance and develop new ways of responding to life’s situations.

Sharon is a Registered Psychologist with over 15 years experience in the field. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology Honours) and a Postgraduate Diploma of Professional Psychology. Sharon has over 15 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families across the lifespan.

Sharon has worked in a variety of settings, including non-profit organisations and private practice. Sharon’s training and experience has provided her with the skills and expertise to assist her clients with a range of issues. These include: depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, anger management, school and work pressures, and relationships.

Sharon takes a flexible and client-centred approach to therapy. She uses elements of different therapeutic techniques that will best help her clients to achieve their goals. Sharon draws on a number of evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Narrative Therapy, and Attachment interventions.

When working with her clients, Sharon focuses on finding the root of her clients’ distress, rather than just giving a diagnosis. She collaborates with her clients to work out the underlying issues, with the ultimate goal of relieving the client’s presenting symptoms and improving their relationships.

Andrea is a registered psychologist with over 20 years experience in the field. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, and a Diploma in Sexual Health Counselling from ASSERT. She also completed a comprehensive one-year training course in Ellyn Bader’s Developmental Model of Couples Therapy.

Andrea has worked in private practice since 1999. She sees both individuals and couples and is able to provide both short-term and long-term therapy, as well as psycho-education, advice and support for people in emotional or relationship distress, sexual counselling services, and trauma-informed therapy.

Andrea uses a holistic approach which combines behavioural, interpersonal and mind-body therapies in her professional interactions with clients. She helps to locate the underlying emotional and physical responses to a particular problem, working at a deep level with both mind and body in order to effect long-lasting change. To this end, Andrea utilises her training in Inner Space Techniques - a form of meditative body-oriented therapy that helps to access these core emotional undercurrents within the body as well as change repetitive thought patterns.

She is also able to help her clients process and regulate their emotions, understand their negative patterns of behaviour, develop better communication strategies and increase their body awareness.

Andrea is experienced in working with a range of client presentations, including depression, anxiety, grief, stress, sexual difficulties, anger and complex trauma (including sexual trauma). Andrea is also an accredited sexual health counsellor.

As a relationship counsellor, she is able to support couples through all sorts of relationship issues, including infidelity, intimacy, arguments and communication problems.

Andrea is also highly experienced in dealing with the psychological repercussions associated with body-image, desire, sexual trauma and gynecological problems (including pregnancy issues, miscarriage, termination and menopause).

Christine is a professional counsellor and psychotherapist. She holds a Bachelor in Social Science, a Graduate Certificate in Psychotherapy Studies and is a member of the Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association and the Australian Hypnotherapist’s Association.

Christine has over 20 years experience as a clinical counsellor in the public sector (for the NSW Police and Women’s Health) and in private practice. She has experience working with a range of client presentations, including self-esteem, trauma, grief, sexual abuse, domestic violence, parenting, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, post natal depression, workplace stress, disorders of the self and addictive behaviour.

Whilst Christine’s underlying framework is psychodynamic and humanist, she takes a client-centred approach to her therapeutic interventions and utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches depending on the client’s specific issues and emotional capacity. Christine believes that each person’s requirements are unique and her therapy is guided by that belief. This is a collaborative approach, whereby Christine works together with the client to form a therapeutic alliance.

Both conscious and unconscious processes are explored as people are helped to manage their thoughts and emotions, and challenge patterns of behavior - enabling change, where desired, and better ways of being and living. When Christine works with couples, she uses a combined approach drawing on intra-psychic and systemic modalities, understanding the individuals and what happens between them as a system of relating.

Christine works with the client as a whole person, rather than as a set of ‘symptoms’ or ‘pathologies’ to be treated. People manifest their emotional difficulties in different forms in an effort to adapt. Christine focuses her therapy on what works and the resources people have within to draw from and help them to understand that they can make changes and improve their experience of life.

Di is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over a decade of experience in private practice. She holds a Bachelor of Counselling, a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, a Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy & Strategic Psychotherapy, and is a Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Di is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Hypnotherapy, and the Gottman method for relationship counselling.

Throughout her career Di has assisted clients with a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, drug, alcohol and gambling addictions, among other emotional and psychological concerns. She has extensive experience in relationship counselling.

As well as helping individuals and couples in private practice, Di has worked as a telephone counsellor for the Beyond Blue and 1800 Respect domestic violence help lines and Quitline.

Di takes a person-centred approach and is committed to working collaboratively with her clients to explore possibilities for change.

John’s work as a counsellor in private practice is supported by his extensive corporate experience in human resources, executive coaching and change management. John holds a Bachelor of Business, a Masters of Applied Science in Social Ecology and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling. He is a member of the Australian Counselling Association and is an experienced conflict resolution facilitator.

John is a Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, a member of the Australian College of Clinical Counsellors and the Australian College of Supervisors, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Executive Coaches.

John works with both couples and individuals, drawing on a range of therapeutic modalities that best suit the presentations and personality of the client. He is particularly interested in the challenges and opportunities inherent in all relationships. He is accredited as an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) practitioner as well as a Voice Dialogue practitioner, and is able to administer a range of psychometric testing instruments. John is also trained to administer Gottman Therapy in his work with couples.

Commencing from a framework that steadfastly honours individual difference, John works with his clients to build awareness and insight into the patterns, processes and belief systems which inform our decisions and choices. In this way, he hopes to help his clients encounter a more conscious, empowered, effective and fulfilling way of living and being in the world.

Whilst his approach is initially cognitive, John endeavours, over time, to help his clients embrace their new belief systems holistically - enabling an integrated and sustainable approach to better living. He works to develop a trusting and supportive therapeutic relationship with his clients, believing this to be a central component of good therapy and sustainable change.

John’s book “Breaking Patterns - Run the life you want to have or life runs you!” is available on Amazon. You can find it here.

Mike is registered as a Clinical Psychologist and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. He works with adults with anxiety disorders, depression, addictions, trauma, relationships and has a special interest in working with LGBTQ+ clients. His therapeutic approach uses CBT, ACT and mindfulness for letting go of unhelpful thoughts, being present with difficult emotions and connecting to your values; the things that really matter to you.

He completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2003. His doctoral training included internships in adult mental health, forensics, child & family services, and intellectual disabilities. His post-doctoral training has included skills in ACT, DBT and training in professional supervision.

Mike has worked in sexual health services in London, community mental health services in Auckland, student counselling at the University of Auckland and as a forensic psychologist in Sydney. He is one of our most senior clinicians and has been providing online therapy since 2012.