John Lavanya

Provisional Counsellor

Available Tuesdays, 9am – 5pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

John is currently pursing a Master’s in Counselling course at Monash University. With four years of experience as a counsellor in India, John has worked extensively with  children, teens and young adults. Leaning majorly on humanistic and existential approaches, John believes that all humans have the capacity to self actualise when provided with the right support and unconditional positive regard. Providing this safe space is what they strive to achieve at work with their clients. John has also worked closely with queer and trans people in India, a cause they feel deeply about. As a certified art therapist, they use a wide range of art-based techniques to foster client expression and healing. John finds profound meaning in their work and is dedicated to supporting clients with empathy, compassion, and authenticity.

Angelica Hasibuan

Provisional Counsellor

Available Thursdays 9am – 5pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Angelica is currently a Master of Counselling student at Monash University. She believes everyone should have equal access to mental health services. Inspired by the societal stigma surrounding mental health, she actively participated in tele-counselling, which started from her experience in providing pro bono service for those who were affected by the pandemic, especially for healthcare workers and ex-patients along with their family members. Additionally, she interfaced with an enhanced learning development team through peer support and self-empowerment programs for high school students before she became a peer counsellor of several telehealth services and facilitated both individual and group counselling for emerging adults from diverse cultural backgrounds. She often incorporates Person-Centered and Humanistic therapeutic approaches, including Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, even though she likes to adjust other modalities based on clients’ needs. Integrating therapeutic approaches with authenticity, openness, and empathy, she strives to utilize counselling as the safest space for clients to build resilience and foster personal growth, as there is nothing better than seeing them being alleviated from emotional and psychological challenges. 

Asher Cameron

Provisional Counsellor

Available Tuesdays 10am – 5pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Asher (he/him) is currently completing his Master of Counselling at Monash University. He is a compassionate and client-focused counsellor dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and challenges. His warm, empathetic manner is underpinned by an academic, philosophical, and evidence-based approach to therapy. Drawing on his experience as an equity, diversity, and inclusion professional, Asher understands the importance of culturally responsive care and enjoys working with clients from all walks of life. He values lived experience and knows that clients are the experts in their own lives. Whether supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, life transitions, or identity exploration, Asher tailors sessions to each client’s unique needs, integrating person-centred, cognitive-behavioural, and strengths-based techniques. He has experience with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and working with members of the LGBTIQA+ and neurodivergent communities. Asher believes in empowering clients to navigate their own journey toward healing and self-discovery. Through a collaborative and non-judgmental approach, Asher fosters resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Aaron Magnuson

Provisional Counsellor

Available Thursdays 9am - 5pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Aaron is a Master of Counselling student at the University of Canberra. He brings over a decade of experience in high-pressure, community-based roles, where he worked closely with individuals facing acute distress, complex mental health challenges, and life transitions. Aaron’s therapeutic approach is grounded in empathy, curiosity, and respect for each person’s unique lived experience. He is committed to providing person-centered and trauma-informed care while also drawing on existential approaches that explore meaning, values, and personal agency in the context of emotional well-being and psychological resilience. With a background in frontline support and crisis response, Aaron brings strong skills in risk assessment, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving. He is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space where clients feel empowered to share their story and work toward meaningful change.

Thu Hoang

Provisional Counsellor

Available Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Thu is currently completing a Master of Counselling at the University of Canberra, bringing a background in Psychology and over a decade of experience as a high school teacher. She is passionate about working with children and adolescents, with an expanding interest in supporting adults as well. Her approach is person-centred, empathetic, and strengths-based, with a focus on building trust, fostering motivation, and enhancing resilience. She integrates Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques to assist clients with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, identity challenges, and emotional barriers. Her goal is to create a safe, supportive, and empowering therapeutic space where clients feel genuinely heard, deeply understood, and supported in building confidence to reach their full potential.

Dante Martino

Provisional Psychologist

Available Tuesdays & Fridays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Dante is currently pursuing a Master of Professional Psychology at the University of Melbourne. He has a strong belief in accessible mental health care for people of all backgrounds. As part of his psychology journey, Dante has studied neuroscience and health sciences, volunteered with Lifeline, and worked in psychology research and tutoring. These experiences inform his interest in how the mind and body interact to support wellbeing. He is a person-centred practitioner who listens deeply, with curiosity and without judgment. Trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dante works collaboratively with clients to support meaningful change. He welcomes clients from diverse backgrounds and strives to create a respectful, supportive space for growth.

ManiCai Russell

Provisional Counsellor

Available Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

ManiCai Russell is currently completing a Master of Counselling at Canberra University. With a background in aquatics, and having grown up in remote communities, she brings a grounded, empathetic approach to her work. She is passionate about supporting women and children through a person-centred, trauma-informed lens, assisting clients with anxiety, stress, self-doubt, self-esteem, and relationship issues. 

Mariam Malik

Provisional Counsellor

Available Mondays & Thursdays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Mariam is a Master of Counselling student at the University of Canberra with a background in health sciences and extensive experience in client-focused roles within healthcare. Her own journey of self-acceptance and empowerment has inspired her to support others as they navigate through their mental health challenges. Mariam is committed to supporting individuals facing challenges such as family violence, relationship issues, racism, low self-esteem, and struggles with self-worth. She is also drawn to supporting those dealing with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She brings a deep commitment to tailored, person-centred care. She draws on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and attachment-based therapy as a framework but always adapts her approach to meet each individual's unique needs and circumstances. With experience supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities, she understands the impact of language barriers and life transitions. Mariam strives to provide culturally sensitive, respectful, and empathetic care in a safe and inclusive space.

Lydia Venetis

Provisional Counsellor

Available Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Lydia (she/her) is currently completing a Master of Counselling with the University of Canberra. She works from a humanistic and holistic framework to support clients toward greater wellbeing. With a background in occupational therapy in acute hospital care, community health, and rehabilitation settings, Lydia brings a deep appreciation for respecting each person's unique journey and their right to self-determination. Lydia's professional background includes working with people navigating complex health conditions, offering affirming support to LGBTQIASB+ communities and for adults discovering their neurodivergence later in life. She integrates principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy alongside creative and expressive modalities to foster healing and self-expression. She also offers action-oriented strategies for gently changing habitual patterns. Lydia believes that every person carries an innate wisdom to make choices that serve them best—especially when given the space and support to show up and feel valued as their authentic self. 

Scott Cowcher

Provisional Counsellor

Qualifications: B.A., B.Ed., GrdDip Psychology, MPH, MHA 

Available Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Scott Cowcher is currently completing a Master of Counselling at Monash University. Scott’ career has spanned a broad range of professional experiences, ranging from roles in public and international mental health as a psychiatric nurse. He has also worked in Australia, Cambodia, USA, and Thailand in a range of roles that have included, mental health, education and literacy, capacity building and community development. Scott believes in creating a safe, non-judgmental supportive space for all clients to explore new ways of living their life more authentically. Scott has a particular interest older adults as they confront professional, physical, and emotional changes in their lives. This transition brings both challenges and rewards but is also confronting. Scott uses a person-centered approach, along with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches in his counselling. Scott is available to assist people working through, life transitions, grief, stress, depression, and anxiety. 

Shenbaga Nithila Ravisankar

Provisional Counsellor

Available Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth 

Shenbaga is especially committed to supporting those who are often overlooked or misunderstood, including queer communities, people with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, and racialized groups. She draws on a flexible range of therapeutic approaches tailored to each client’s needs. Clients know her as warm, empathetic, and deeply respectful, someone who highlights strengths and resilience while holding space for pain. Shenbaga’s goal is to help people reconnect with their most authentic selves and find freedom and joy in their lives.