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Welcome
“Taking the step of entering into therapy takes courage and a preparedness to create change. It provides us with an opportunity to face our life difficulties, our relationship to ourselves and others, our past and present suffering, our deep uncertainties; our way of being-in-the-world. A therapeutic collaboration with a fellow human that is dedicated to helping us heal - while nurturing our strengths and wisdom - can lead to greater peace in this precious life, hope and possibilities” — Jules
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Psychotherapy and Counselling
It is not easy to find a definitive answer to the question, “what is the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?”; even in the profession itself.
From my perspective, and in my own professional practice, I broadly conceptualise my psychotherapy practice as the ‘deeper work’, that by its very nature will; delve into the client’s past and family of origin, explore both unconscious and conscious processes and how they impact on the client’s relationship to self and others, and their experience of ‘existence’; being-in-the-world’. Psychotherapy will often be long-form over many months (or more).
I would describe my counselling practice as generally shorter-term (weeks, possibly a few months), inevitably including some ‘deeper work’ (to the extent that suits the client’s purpose and preferences), but a little more ‘here and now issue(s) and current distress-focussed’ than psychotherapy. -
Solution-focussed Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Coaching
The particular style of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) and coaching that I offer in my practice is very clearly working with specific ‘present and future’ circumstances and goals (rather than the past).
It is short-term (usually 6 weeks). I encourage clients using a ‘strengths and resources’ -based approach through which they can develop a clear vision / goal for their future. I support the client as they identify the skills, resources, and abilities they will need to foster to realise their vision; drawing on and celebrating existing strengths and what is working for them ‘now’.
SFBT and Coaching does rely on a level of client ‘overall wellness’ for behavioural and goal-oriented action. It is more directive and motivational than either psychotherapy or counselling. -
Areas of Special Interest
Working with individuals and couples:
anxiety / panic attacks; low mood / depression; existential issues; climate and biodiversity crisis -related distress; grief, loss, and bereavement; trauma recovery (past, present); issues with self-regulation of emotions and the nervous system (incl. anger); alcohol issues; assertiveness / boundary-setting; inner critic / self-regard issues; life transitions; attachment issues; relationship issues / breakdown / loneliness; family estrangements; family scapegoating abuse; LGBTQI+ issues; ADHD support / life strategies; ex-cult surviving and thriving; creativity and artistic practice processes; career counselling; life threatening and / or chronic illness issues; strategies for pain management. -
Training | Modalities | Theoretical Frameworks
Masters Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy (MCounsPsyth),
Bachelor of Communication (BComm),
Gottman Method Couples/Relationships Therapy (Levels 1-2).grief, loss, and trauma-informed psychotherapies; existential psychotherapy; climate-aware clinical practice; acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); attachment theory / interpersonal; individual in relationship(s) therapy; Buddhism-informed psychotherapy; mindfulness training; psychoanalytic / psychodynamic; dream work; Jungian-informed psychotherapy; internal family systems (IFS) / systems theory; cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT), solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) and coaching.
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Fees and Bookings
Face-to-face, online (Zoom), and phone sessions available.
$140 per 50-minute session (individuals)
$180 per 60-minute session (couples)
$220 per 80-minute session (couples)
$720 per 6-session block (individuals, paid upfront)
Fees for presenting and workshop facilitation by negotiation.Medicare Rebates: No
Private Health Rebates: No
NDIS participants that are Plan-managed or Self-managed (excludes Agency-managed) may utilise this service.Bookings/Enquiries: See contact details below.
Jules F. B. Silva, MCounPsyth, BComm, PACFA Reg. Clinical 26651, Registered Clinical Counsellor (Level 4) ACA,
Member: Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Relationship Institute Australasia, Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB), Blue Knot Foundation (trauma), Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists (AABCAP),
Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA), Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA), and Psychology for a Safe Climate (PSC), Registered Climate-Aware Practitioner providing therapeutic support (Australia and international).