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.

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.

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

In-person and telehealth 

Scott Cowcher is currently completing a Master of Counselling at Monash University. Scott’s 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. 

Ebonnie Holder Clements

Provisional Counsellor

Available Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth

Ebonnie (she/her) is currently completing her Master of Counselling at the University of Canberra. With a feminist, person-centred approach to counselling she is dedicated to creating a relaxed, collaborative space for her clients to explore their inner lives and circumstances within the context of our current social and cultural systems. She has a passion for helping couples and families explore communication and connection, including rainbow families, neurodiverse families and polycules. Ebonnie is committed to providing an experience for her clients where they feel free, understood, respected and empowered to discover and accomplish their goals. 

Rachel Pearce

Provisional Counsellor

Available Mondays and Fridays, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Melbourne time)

In-person and telehealth

Rachel (she/her) is currently completing her Master of Counselling at the University of Canberra. She is a compassionate, client-centred counsellor-in-training with a strong background in disability support and mental health intake. She has a warm and empathetic approach. She creates a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their experiences and challenges. Her counselling interests are grounded in evidence-based therapies, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Rachel also holds a Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselling and has a strong interest in Art Therapy. Rachel understands the importance of advocacy, clear communication, and culturally responsive care. She believes clients are the experts in their own lives and takes a collaborative and empowering approach to counselling. She aims to help clients build self-awareness and meaningful growth.