Be The Change: An Insightful and Inspiring Interview with our Aboriginal Counsellor.

Our Indigenous Counsellor Yasmyn, recounts how, after discovering that there were no Indigenous Social Workers in her area, decided to take matters into her own hands and in her words 'be the change'.

What Can Counselling Offer?

Counselling is a powerful tool that taps into your innate strengths, guiding you towards solutions and adaptive coping mechanisms. It’s a sanctuary where you can experience personal growth, delve into self-exploration, and find clarity, direction, and purpose in life.

Why Seek Counselling?

Everyone faces challenges, but you don’t have to face them alone. Counselling provides a confidential and supportive space to discuss a range of issues including:

• Emotional Challenges: Navigate through loss, grief, trauma, and bereavement.

• Life transitions: Find guidance during challenging life changes.

• Relationship Dynamics: Address relationship difficulties, separation, and divorce.– Self-Worth: Boost self-esteem and self-confidence.

• Adapting to Change: Strategies for living with disabilities.

• Conflict Resolution: Tackle unresolved conflicts and learn anger management techniques.

• Mental Well-being: Manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Identity and Orientation: Discuss sexuality, sexual orientation, and self-acceptance.

• Sensitive Issues: Seek support for pregnancy loss, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.

No matter what you’re facing, counselling offers a safe space to share, reflect, and heal. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and empowerment today.

What Is Your Focus?

My focus is to offer solutions that support the integration of the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in a supportive environment, while emphasising the persons strengths, resources and resiliency.

What Are You Passionate About?

I am passionate about engaging with my local community, as a Wirradjuri women, community is very important to me. I’ve attended Aboriginal Education consultancy meetings and regular yarn ups at both the primary school and now high school as I am a single mother with a 15 year old son who has Autism/ADHD.

My lived experience coupled with my professional experience as a Counsellor/Social Worker and local business owner keeps me regularly engaged in my local Indigenous community. I am accepted in the Gumbaynggirr local community.

I acquired a Bachelor of Social work with Charles Sturt University as I was aware that within my community there were no Aboriginal Social Workers. This saddened me and I asked the question how can I change this? After discussions with my local elders, the answer came to me; to be the change so I became a Social Worker and was the first Aboriginal Social Worker for my area.

During this time I also assisted with the Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance scheme as a tutor, I assisted Aboriginal students to attain their goal of getting a Degree just like myself. I used my lived experience of being a student/mother etc to motivate my students to keep going and believe that their dreams and goals are possible. To this day I still tutor students and I love the role.

Yasmyn offers both individual and family sessions, as well as free discovery sessions.

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