Meet Damien

Hi my name is Damien, my pronoun is he/ him/ they/ them.

I have been collecting the tools of a counsellor and bodyworker/ massage therapist for 15 years. Supporting people navigate through questions of identity, anxiety, depression, shame based trauma, drug and alcohol dependencies, complex family systems and complex personal challenges, blocks to employment and aligning self to values and purpose.

I have extensive experience within the context of LGBTIQ+ challenges. I have extensive experience working in long term disability support and residential life goal plan management. This experience gifted me with awareness of the finer subtleties and needs of people living with disabilities, positioning me well in counselling NDIS packaged clients. I have first hand experience working within the Employment sector as a vocational counsellor, this has granted me insight into the needs of the sector and the layers of complexities many people may face in finding or committing to employment opportunities. Over the years I have worked in two therapeutic community rehab facilities for a period of four years in case management and counselling clients through six, nine and twelve month sobriety journeys. Most recently My experience within a NSW school context as a school wellbeing advocate has placed me well for work with young people, adolescents and family units, collaborating with the principal in piloting and implementing a wellbeing culture and curriculum.

My counselling clients have often told me that they feel heard and that I help them feel comfortable in a judgement-free environment.

Some of my tools include Trauma Informed Sandplay Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy,, CBT, Massage/ Transpersonal bodywork, Zen Thai Shiatsu and process oriented group therapy sessions within a therapeutic community model and retreat style context.

I do not profess to be an expert of anyones life, rather a humble servant to the years of service, listening and walking alongside people as they traverse personal and at times complex life situations, interpersonal relations and individual internal conflicts.

If you’d like to explore whether we could work together please reach out. I’d be happy to do a free 15 min chat to determine if I’m the right person for you.

Key area’s of therapeutic support I can offer are as follows.

Addictions/ LGBTIQ+, Anxiety, , Social Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Loss, PTSD, OCD, Boundaries, Work Place EAP Counselling, Complex Family Systems, Couples Therapy, Life Coaching.

Some of my other interests and passions are swimming in ocean/ river teal waters of the world, swimming alongside giant loggerhead turtles and conquering my fear of sharks.. Climbing mountains and exploring vast landscapes, sunrises and sunsets, gardening & learning to play musical instruments, singing and growing and harvesting my own food.

Below are a number of studies that I have engaged in over the years, each are linked to the institution or retreat I studied under.

Holistic Counselling, Transpersonal Coaching, Permaculture, Indigenous Studies (trauma & healing), Zen Thai Shiatsu,Transpersonal Bodywork,  Purna Yoga, Red Lodge, Gestalt Therapy, Trauma Informed Sandplay Therapy

Most of all, I serve mostly for you to become reunited with the benevolent sovereign human being that you are.

Please feel free to call or email to arrange a 15-30min conversation to discern if us working together feels right for you.

Qualifications

  • Cert III Holistic Counselling

  • Diploma of Transformational Life Coaching

  • Cert III Permaculture

  • Indigenous Studies (trauma & healing) 1 year

  • Level 1 & 2 Kahuna Massage

  • Level 1 Zen Thai Shiatsu

  • Advanced Transpersonal Bodywork

  • 30hr Thai Massage training

  • 200hr Purna Yoga Teacher training

  • Red Lodge Shamanic Teachings 1st year

  • Ongoing yearly Professional Development and Clinical Supervision requirements of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

  • Graduate Certificate Gestalt Therapy

  • Trauma Informed Sandplay Therapy

Registration

  • Member of the Australian Counselling Association - M.A.C.A (Level 2)

  • Member of Australian Mental Health Academy