CLINICALLY TRAINED

A holistic team healing trauma from within

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Are you experiencing…

  NEGATIVE SELF-THOUGHTS

Low self-esteem and negative self-image can impact your life at every level.

 ANGER & FRUSTRATION

Becoming easily angered and frustrated can be exhausting and draining.

 CONSTANTLY EXHAUSTED

Experiencing emotional dysregulation and mood instability can be challenging.

STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS

Trauma can impact your relationships and become a vicious cycle.

 DIFFICULTY AT WORK

Trauma can come with difficulty speaking up and handling professional interactions.

 OTHER TRAUMA SYMPTOMS

Trauma can manifest in so many different ways, from being easily frightened to panic attacks and addiction. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, we’re here to help.

The body keeps score. That’s why we take a holistic approach to mental health, trauma, and well-being.

Navigate life’s challenges with a kind and supportive team on the central coast of NSW.

What our clients say

We’re proud of our reputation on the New South Wales Central Coast

Our Caring Counsellors on the Central Coast are here to help

We have a diverse team of experienced and compassionate counsellors that are here to support you. No matter what you’re going through, we’ll match you with the right therapist to help you feel heard, understood and empowered.

Rut

Amanda Birkbeck

Art Psychotherapist

Trauma-informed Art Psychotherapist with a passion for community and connection. Facilitating healing through a safe, welcoming, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship and person-centred, gentle art therapy.

 

DEBORAH LOWNDES

Toby Clark

Psychotherapist & Mental Health Nurse

With over 16 years in mental health, Toby specialises in trauma recovery, empowering clients through strength-based, person-centered care. Blending clinical expertise with a deep understanding of the LGBTQI+ community, he tailors evidence-based therapies to help clients heal, grow, and thrive.

Nerine Strachan

Sarah Gilligan

Counsellor, Couples Therapist

Driven by a love of connecting with others, and a natural curiosity for the human condition, Sarah will help you explore yourself and your experiences with respect and gentleness.

 

Rut

Rut Frohlich

Professional Trainer, Yoga Therapist, Senior Teacher and

Mentor with Yoga Australia

Inspired by her own journey to inner strength, potential, and grace, our resident yoga therapist, Rut uses specific yoga practices or techniques to help you listen to your body and realise your own greatness.

 

DEBORAH LOWNDES

DEBORAH LOWNDES

Psychotherapist

Deborah fosters a safe environment in her therapeutic space for clients to share their stories and embark on their journey towards healing and personal growth. 

 

Nerine Strachan

Anne Mitchell

Counsellor, Couples

and Family Therapist

With over 20 years of experience in counselling and family therapy, Anne helps individuals, couples, and families build healthier relationships through compassion, empathy, and trauma-informed care.

 

Our Trauma - Informed multi-modality approach sets us apart

WE THINK HOLISTICALLY

Trauma, especially complex trauma, affects the body and mind and can nest deep within the body. Counselling and therapy are important, but so is caring for your body and finding the right strategies.

 OUR APPROACH IS TRAUMA-INFORMED

Our team consists of trauma-informed practitioners. We always create a safe, supportive space for you to heal.

ALL KINDS OF PRACTITIONERS

We take a thoughtful, evidence-based approach in recommending therapies and practitioners, ensuring you have access to a diverse range of qualified professionals tailored to your needs.

Our areas of expertise

 PSYCHOTHERAPY

COUNSELLING

COUPLES THERAPY

ONLINE COUNSELLING

EMDR THERAPY

YOGA THERAPY

ART THERAPY

MASSAGE THERAPY

TRAUMA INFORMED NUTRITION

FAQs

Holistic Healing

ask us about booking an appointment

Enquire with us today. We’ll start with a conversation about your journey

and what you’re looking for and book you in with an appropriate practitioner.

Care you can count on. Why our clients trust us

Finding the right counsellor is an important step towards healing and personal growth. Here’s why individuals, couples, and families trust us to support them on their journey.

LARGE TEAM WITH A DIVERSE SKILLSET

Find a therapist with the right expertise to meet your unique needs.

 COMPASSIONATE & EXPERIENCED

Our therapists have years of experience helping clients through life challenges and we care about you.

CONFIDENTIAL AND JUDGEMENT FREE

A safe, welcoming space for open and honest conversations. 

 WE ARE FLEXIBLE

FOR YOU

Our sessions can be delivered online and in person to suit you and your lifestyle.

EVIDENCE-BASED

THERAPY

We use proven methods like The Conversational Model, EMDR, CBT, ACT, and mindfulness based approaches. 

TRAUMA-INFORMED

SPECIALISTS

Our therapists are trained to support clients with trauma in a safe, empowering way.

Testimonials

Nerine has helped me significantly change my life for the better. When I started seeing Nerine I was full of fear, hesitation and shame. I had never been to any kind of therapy before. Her patience, calm and non-judgmental practice has helped me move into a life no longer lived in a dark fog of anger and sadness. Her gentle guidance and support has, and continues to increase my self-knowledge, my connection to family and friends, and my capacity to fully enjoy my life. Nerine is clearly genuinely engaged with and interested in her work and I find it encouraging and reassuring that she stays up-to-date and continues to educate herself in ways to help her clients more. I have already recommended working with Nerine to others, and I will continue to do so.

I still remember the first time I met Nerine. Having suffered for many years with anxiety I am often still fearful about meeting people for the first time. But the moment that I met Nerine I immediately felt at ease by her warmth and approachability. I consider myself very blessed to have met someone who is so generous with her time and knowledge. Her guidance and support has helped me overcome many challenges in my life and I am incredibly grateful to have met someone who is so passionate about bringing positive change into people’s lives.

Nerine was always professional and willing to give of herself. Her perseverance and encouragement helped me gain the skills I needed to deal with my grief.

I will be forever grateful for all that I have learnt over the past 2 years. For the amount of knowledge, wisdom and guidance that I have been shown, for the insight that I have gained and for the genuine connections I’ve made. Nerine helped me grow in ways I never thought were possible – to work through my fears and towards myself and to begin my new journey.

I will always be so grateful I was able to work with Nerine. Her safe, warm, and compassionate practice helped me process trauma that was haunting me daily and affecting my relationships. I now feel free from trauma, and have been able to build healthy behaviours and relationships. Nerine’s level of knowledge and skill is second only to her kindness. She truly has helped change my life for the better.

We’ll hear you

We know you might have some questions

 

We’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions below.

What type of therapy do you offer?

Mindful Synergi offers a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to your individual needs and goals.

Our experienced practitioners specialise in:

    • Individual therapy: Addressing personal challenges, navigating life transitions, improving relationships, and building self-awareness.
    • Trauma therapy: Using gentle and effective approaches to support healing from past experiences.
    • Couples therapy: Strengthening communication, resolving conflict, and fostering intimacy.
    • Yoga therapy: Integrating yoga postures, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices to enhance physical and emotional well-being, manage stress, and improve body awareness.
    • Art therapy: Utilising creative expression through various art forms to explore emotions, gain self-insight, and promote healing and growth.
    • EMDR Therapy – A type of therapy that utilises bilateral stimulus that triggers a neural process that helps process past traumatic experiences and cultivates new insights and perspectives.
    • Remedial Massage therapy – It is well established that healing from trauma requires a multimodality approach and the body is an important part of that healing process. Trauma causes tension and chronic bracing patterns which can be eased with massage. Allowing the body to find a more relaxed posture, which then has a feedback loop to the mental and emotional state of the brain.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

Both counselling and psychotherapy aim to support emotional well-being, but there are some key distinctions:

  • Counselling: Often focuses on short-term solutions for specific issues like stress management, life transitions, or relationship challenges.
  • Psychotherapy: Typically delves deeper into personal history, patterns of behaviour, and underlying emotions to foster long-term personal growth and healing. Our practitioner will design with you a personalised long-term plan, usually between 18 months – 2 years at a minimum. We have found through experience that this length of time is needed to produce sustained change. 

Our practitioners will discuss what approach best suits your specific needs and goals during your initial consultation.

Do you offer online therapy?

Yes, we offer convenient and effective online therapy sessions via secure video conferencing platforms. This allows you to experience the benefits of therapy from the comfort and privacy of your own home. We understand that online therapy may not be suitable for everyone, so we welcome you to discuss your preference during your initial appointment.

How much does a session cost?

At Mindful Synergi, we understand that therapy is an investment in your well-being. We strive to offer accessible and transparent pricing for our individual therapy and counselling sessions.

Individual sessions with our psychotherapists and counsellors typically cost:

$190 for a single 50-minute session.

$160 per session when purchasing a subscription package. 

Sessions are available both in-clinic and online for your convenience.

 

Health fund rebates may be available: 

Rebates are available with selected Medibank Private, ARHG, AHM and BUPA health insurance policies. We recommend contacting your insurer directly to confirm coverage and inquire about potential rebates for our practitioners.

Due to the specialised nature of our approach, Medicare mental health plan rebate is not available.

What rebates do you offer?

Rebates are available with selected Medibank Private, ARHG, AHM and BUPA health insurance policies. We recommend contacting your insurer directly to confirm coverage and inquire about potential rebates for our practitioners.

Due to the specialised nature of our approach, Medicare mental health plan rebate is not available. 

What can I expect from my first session?

Your first session is an opportunity to get acquainted with your therapist, discuss your concerns and goals, and explore how therapy can support you. You can ask questions, voice your expectations, and feel comfortable establishing a therapeutic relationship. The therapist will listen attentively, assess your needs, and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.

Do you offer free initial consultation?

While we don’t currently offer a free 15-minute consultation, we understand that choosing the right therapist can feel overwhelming. To help you make an informed decision, we offer several resources:

Detailed practitioner profiles: Each therapist featured on our website and social media pages has a comprehensive profile detailing their qualifications, areas of expertise, therapeutic approach, and personal philosophies. These profiles aim to give you a clear understanding of who they are and how they might best support you.

Call us and email: If you’re still unsure which therapist might be the best fit for you, feel free to use our contact form or email us directly. We’re happy to answer your questions, discuss your specific needs, and help you connect with the right practitioner.

We believe in personalised and informed care, and we want you to feel comfortable choosing the therapist who best aligns with your unique needs and preferences.

How long does therapy typically last?

At Mindful Synergi, we believe therapy is a personalised journey, not a one-size-fits-all sprint. The duration of your journey depends entirely on you, your unique goals, and the specific landscape you navigate.

During your first session, we embark on a collaborative exploration to design a tailored treatment plan. This plan charts your course, outlining the potential length of therapy with flexibility in mind. As you progress and your needs evolve, we adjust the map together, ensuring it aligns with you. 

However, it’s important to acknowledge that some paths, like healing from trauma, often require dedicated time and effort. In these cases, we typically recommend a commitment of 18-24 months of therapy sessions. This time frame allows for deep exploration, processing, and the development of robust coping mechanisms, empowering you to navigate challenges with newfound strength.

Remember, therapy is an unfolding journey, not a fixed destination. You set the pace, and your therapist walks alongside you every step of the way. Whether you seek temporary support or long-term transformation, Mindful Synergi is here to guide you towards a more fulfilling life.

If you have questions or concerns about the length of your therapy, don’t hesitate to voice them to your therapist. They will provide personalised guidance based on your unique path.