Meet Neha
A Registered Clinical Counsellor, Psychotherapist and owner of Novo Empower Counselling. My passion lies in guiding couples and individuals through the intricate pathways of life and relationships.
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My Story
My journey towards becoming a Counsellor and Psychotherapist, both for couples and individuals, has been deeply enriching and fulfilling. With a profound passion for mental health and human relationships, I’ve always felt a strong calling to help people navigate the complexities of life and intimate connections.
Following the completion of my undergraduate degree in psychology, I dedicated myself to advanced training in counselling and psychotherapy, honing my skills in evidence-based practices that empower both couples and individuals to overcome challenges and foster stronger bonds.
Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, from couples seeking to rekindle their connection to individuals striving for personal growth and well-being.
Witnessing my clients transform and develop new skills and perspectives that enable them to lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives is a profound source of fulfilment for me.
Having faced my own mental health challenges, I intimately understand the impact of having someone who can offer guidance, support, and a listening ear without judgment. I’ve witnessed the resilience and courage of my clients, and I’m deeply privileged to be part of their healing journeys.
For me, being a therapist is not merely a profession; it’s a calling. I cherish each day that allows me to make a positive difference in the lives of those I have the privilege to serve.
My Approach
My approach is to offer my clients a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental environment in which they feel heard, respected and supported.
For couples seeking a stronger and deeper emotional bond, I use the Gottman Method of Therapy, backed by more than 40 years of research on what makes relationships thrive and what causes them to falter.
This approach focuses on better communication skills and conflict resolution strategies, while also emphasising the importance of building positive interactions and experiences such as showing affection and expressing appreciation, to counteract negative interactions that can harm a relationship.
I assist couples in recognising negative communication patterns and behaviours and guide them to develop new skills like active listening, expressing needs and feelings, and taking responsibility for their own actions.
The Gottman Method also has assessments and interventions to help couples work through specific issues such as infidelity, trust issues, and sexual problems.
With individual clients, I blend psychodynamic and person-centred therapy, delving into the unconscious thoughts, emotions, and past experiences that influence a person’s behaviour and relationships. We work together to bring these experiences to a conscious level of awareness and try to resolve any unresolved conflicts or traumas.
Techniques include free association, dream analysis, and interpretation of unconscious material aiming to enhance self-awareness and improve relationships.
*Image has been recreated based on Dr. John Gottman’s “The Sound Relationship House”, thegottmaninstitute
Qualifications
Relationship Institute Australasia
The Gottman Method Couples Therapy Training Level 1, 2, 3 | Intimate Partner Aggression & Couples Therapy | Individual Therapy for Couples Problems
PACFA – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Couples Counselling related qualifications
Working with DV/FV in the LGBTIQA community | Children’s Experience of Domestic and Family Violence | Developmental Approach To Working With Transgender and Non-binary Young People | Working with Domestic Violence; The Victim, The Perpetrator, and The Relationship | Affirmative Practice: LGBTIQ+ people and forced displacement | Relationships, Sexuallity & Disability | Treating Affairs and Trauma |Relationship Counselling – Pitfalls and Antidotes | Social Entrapment & Coercive Control
Trauma related qualifications
Trauma Informed Care Training | Supporting Clients with Mindful Approaches to Loss and Grief | Rising from Existential Crisis | Complex Trauma: Key points and must knows | The Physiological Manifestation of Grief
Other qualifications
Online Counselling: Building Effective Cyber Relationships | Verbal Techniques of Functional Analysis | Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) | The biosocial model of borderline personality disorder (BPD) | Understanding & responding to men’s distress & suicidality
Western Sydney University
Masters of Counselling & Psychotherapy – 2018
University of Sydney
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) – 2009
Clinical Member – Professional Association
PACFA – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Registered Clinical Member No. 25653
Testimonials
"Neha was a very approachable and easy to converse with. She was empathetic and understanding. She listened, we discussed, and then she offered many tools for me to manage any situation I was dealing with at the time, and in the future. I feel more in control and able to cope with my emotions and everyday situations. Before commencing, I felt tearful and fearful everyday. Neha helped me to validate my feelings and understand that what I was feeling was absolutely real and appropriate for what I had been through during my cancer diagnosis and treatment. I am grateful for her assistance and knowledge. Thank you."
- Lindsay
“I would like to thank Neha for her support. I found her to be very professional, personable, and really kind. I went though some really tough times and I’m so very grateful for Neha. My life had spiralled down to a very low point and without Neha I’m not sure how I would have got out of my very low mind set. Neha gave me strategies to help on a daily basis which I’m continuing to use. Thank you so very much Neha. Neha was amazing and was really kind and present in some very dark moment in my life.”
- Jessica
"I was lucky enough to stumble across Neha by chance earlier this year and her honesty and professionalism has been truly life changing. As a practitioner, Neha has carefully guided me towards awareness and understanding of my experience and provided me with a safe space to consider and reflect on various situations and behaviours which I will carry for the rest of my life. At the same time, Neha does this with genuine care and concern while remaining curious, attentive, and empathetic and for that I am truly thankful. I would highly recommend Neha to anyone in need."
- Andrew
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