Unmasking Sexuality and Breaking Down Cultural Barriers (Part 2)
Welcome back to Part 2 of my captivating interview with Nadia Hughes, where we continue our deep dive into intriguing topics surrounding...
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Home: Welcome
Hey, how are you? We really care to know.
Aly’s Place offers research-based counselling for couples, families and individuals.
When life gives us lemons...
...we can turn them into fresh lemonade together.
Whatever brings you here, I am sure you have special others in your life.
And sometimes these relationships instead of nurturing you can make you feel hurt, lonely and lost. This does not need to stay this way. We can help you navigate these challenges and learn how to build healthy, fulfilling relationships with yourself and others. In a completely non-judging, professional and caring environment, we will untangle together the situations and life stories that brought you to counselling.
Aly, Registered Couples Therapist
Our Services
Individual Counselling
In individual counselling we explore your personal journey and the challenges on your way. We can help you cope with a wide range of personal issues (including grief, trauma, depression and anxiety) and navigate you to a better place.
All our counsellors offer individual counselling.
Family and Parenting Counselling
Families are dynamic systems with many moving parts. At times, it can be tough to navigate difficult family events or to know how best to approach raising children. We can help you find an answer to this and many other questions.
Home: Our Services
Home: About
We are a passionate team of professional, Masters-Level educated counsellors and psychotherapists, specialising in relationships and couples counselling.
We truly believe that happiness in life lies in healthy relationships with yourself and others. We treat each and every client as an individual with a unique journey and experience worth exploring.
Our role is to help you tell that story and find a way to get where you want to be next.
We can help you navigate these challenges and learn how to build healthy, fulfilling relationships with yourself and others.
In a completely non-judging, professional and caring environment, we will untangle together the situations and life stories that brought you to counselling.
TEAM OVEVIEW
Our Team
Aly
About Alyona
Hi, I am Alyona, or Aly for clients. My life journey so far has been a very unusual one and taught me many lessons - but most importantly, it showed me that the most treasured things in life are people we connect with. They are our strengths and our challenges.
I have not met a person who was unhappy in life if they had great relationships: family and friends. My life belief is the secret to happiness lies in healthy relationships: with yourself and others.
My Qualifications
I have a Masters Degree in Counselling and a Graduate Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy. I also hold a Diploma of Education (Postgraduate) and Bachelor of Arts with First Degree Honours.
Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in mental health and teach counselling at Monash University.
Further, I am a Clinical Supervisor and Level 2 Member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
I speak three languages and spent most of my life outside of my home country. And most importantly, I am a mum and a wife.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Sexual and intimacy issues
> Couples relationships
> Misattributed paternity/parental discrepancy discoveries
> Interpersonal communication
> Emotions/feelings, trauma and affairs
***Alyona specialises in Immersive Couples Programs and is currently only accepting couples clients under this format.***
CLIENT DAYS: Mondays
Registered with health funds to claim rebates: Bupa, Medibank, ARGH - Police Health Fund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, St Lukes Health, GMHBA and CUA Health (telehealth only), Teachers Union Health and Westfund.
cil
About Priscilla
Hi, I’m Priscilla! I’m a counsellor that specialises in emotion regulation and communication. Prior to becoming a counsellor, I worked in HR and recruitment across the UK and Canada.
I believe the key to living a fulfilling and happy life is having high-quality relationships, including the relationship to self, and living in alignment with our values. I use an integrative approach that combines tools to help you get into your body and techniques to support your mental wellbeing.
I’m particularly interested in developmental trauma and working with the nervous system to regulate and heal. This brings greater resilience and deeply meaningful relationships.
I love to get creative and prioritise play and rest. I’m also a mum of a beautiful and curious three-year-old boy.
My Qualifications
My qualifications include a Bachelor of Social Science, Diploma of Counselling, Certificate in Yoga Teaching and a Certificate in Somatic Attachment Therapy. I am also trained in the Gottman Couples Counselling Method and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT).
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Couples relationships
> Interpersonal communication
> Emotion regulation
> Anxiety and stress
> Imposter syndrome
CLIENT DAYS: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
Home: Kendra
About Kendra
Hello! I’m Kendra, it’s lovely to meet you. I understand that life can get quite complicated at times and have made it my mission to support others during those difficult times.
I am originally from Canada and an adventurer at heart. I have spent most of my adult life travelling the world before making Australia my home. My professional journey for the past several years has led me to work in various mental health settings as a counsellor and formerly a support worker. My area of expertise is in supporting couples with restoring communication, repairing trust, and regaining intimacy.
My counselling approach is to get to know you on a personal level to understand your story and needs. By providing a safe, non-judgmental, and comfortable space to address your concerns, I can provide clarity, relief, and awareness to navigate through those challenges.
My Qualifications
I have a Bachelor of Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology. Further, I am a Level 2 registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Couples relationships
> Intimacy and sexuality
> Emotions/feelings, trauma and affairs
> Adolescents and youth
CLIENT DAYS: Mondays and Tuesdays (all appointments via Telehealth only)
Registered with health funds to claim rebates: Bupa, ARGH - Police Health Fund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, St Lukes Health, GMHBA and CUA Health (telehealth only), Teachers Union Health and Westfund.
About Stephen
Hey, I am Stephen. A former teacher and an armed forces instructor, I understand the value of togetherness across most diverse settings.
My passion is working with families and parenting couples. I also enjoy working with fathers and sons/daughters to help strengthen their bond.
Some of my biggest assets are positivity, creativity and play. I believe in a caring but light-hearted approach to therapy – a journey that we can master together.
My Qualifications
I have a Master degree in Counselling and have undertaken further studies in Individual, Couples and Family Counselling, Gottman Couples Counselling, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
I also worked with families, couples and patients at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Couples relationships
> Family relationships
> Interpersonal communication
> Parent-child relationships
> Individuals at risk
CLIENT DAYS: Mondays and Wednesdays
Registered with health funds to claim rebates: Bupa, ARGH - Police Health Fund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, St Lukes Health, GMHBA and CUA Health (telehealth only), Teachers Union Health and Westfund.
Stephen
STEPHEN
Lena
About Lena
Hello! I’m Lena. I’ve lived across various countries in Europe and Asia and now call Australia my home. Having spent a significant part of my life away from my family and friends taught me to deeply value human connections and inspired me to help others to improve their relationships.
I am warm, and friendly but also very analytical and straightforward. More than anything, I want you to feel comfortable and safe when working with me. In addition to couples counselling, I am interested in working with unhelpful coping mechanisms.
My Qualifications
I have a Master of Counselling degree from Monash University and a degree in Communication.
I have also undertaken further study in Individual and Couples Counselling, Gottman Couples Counselling and Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy.
Like many of my colleagues, I am multilingual and speak several languages.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Couples relationships
> Interpersonal communication
> Emotions/feelings, affairs
> Substance use and unhelpful coping behaviours
CLIENT DAYS: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Registered with health funds to claim rebates: Bupa
kellie
About Kellie
Hey, I’m Kellie. I grew up in regional Victoria but then went to live in Washington D.C. for 30 years, just returning a few years ago. While abroad, I enjoyed working one-on-one with a variety of people from different backgrounds - which eventually led me to become a professional counsellor.
I have a special interest in getting to the root cause of problems and particular empathy for those suffering with depression or loss and grief. I’m also eager to work with couples experiencing difficult transitions.
My Qualifications
I have a Master of Counselling and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling. Further, I am a Level 2 registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and a member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Couples relationships
> Substance use and dependency
> Anxiety (especially, social anxiety) and depression
> Difficult life transitions, grief and loss
> ADHD and neurodiversity
CLIENT DAYS: Mondays and Thursdays
Home: Charlie
Charlie 2
About Charlie
Hey y’all! I am Charlie. My pronouns are she/her. I was born and raised in Taiwan, but I have lived in the States for a few years before settling down in Australia.
Growing up, I often felt isolated and had to work hard to become resilient, open-minded, and empathetic as I am now.
Counselling and counselling diverse clients in particular, to me, is all about empowerment and advocacy while providing a safe space for you to speak your mind without the fear of being judged. I am here to help you explore and make sense of your unique experiences.
My Qualifications
I hold a Master degree in counselling from Monash University and have a background in biology and sociology. I have also undertaken further study in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and (Trauma-informed) Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy.
I speak Mandarin and English fluently.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Person-centered counselling
> Mandarin-speaking counselling
> Cultural and gender diversity
> Queer/LGBTIQA+ experiences
CLIENT DAYS: Thursdays
An An
About An An
Hi, I'm An An!
I am from Singapore and I moved to Australia to pursue my counselling studies. When working with clients, my main priority is creating a safe space and keeping an open mind to your experiences.
I am empathetic and I hope to keep our sessions light-hearted while getting to know you. Outside of being a counsellor, I enjoy travelling and exploring new places, trying new foods, and meeting people from different cultures.
My Qualifications
I hold a Bachelor of Psychology with honours and I am currently pursuing my Master of Counselling at Monash University.
I speak Mandarin and English fluently.
REDUCED RATES AVAILABLE
We offer a financial hardship rate for sessions with our counsellor An An, who has recently joined our practice and is in the process of establishing her client base. Click here for more details.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Young Couples relationships
> Youths and adolescents (14 - 25)
> Person-centred therapy
> Problem-solving therapy
> Grief
CLIENT DAYS: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Home: Charlie
Rav
About Rav
Hi, I’m Rav. I came to appreciate the importance of human connection from some of the most challenging roles I have held over my career. I have previously worked across the criminal justice, homeless & housing, Magistrates’ Courts, Family Violence and generalist counselling sectors. These experiences have also taught me how deeply isolating encounters can affect mental health and well-being, regardless of age or circumstance – and become a life-long lesson, influencing my counselling practice.
My counselling style can be described as integrative, with a strong preference to tailor approaches to what each client views as their therapy goals. Using primarily person-centred, emotion-focused and attachment-based approaches, I aim to create a deep sense of safety in my sessions, allowing opportunity for you (and your partner, or family) to explore your story in a genuinely accepting space.
More personally, I am passionate about learning, immersing myself in different cultural experiences and am constantly searching for my next area of interest to master or book to read! Ask me for recommendations; I have plenty to share!
My Qualifications
I hold a Graduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy and am completing my Masters in the same area.
I have undertaken additional studies in Emotion-Focused Therapy, Dialectic Behavioural Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (trauma-informed, attachment approach) and motivational interviewing techniques with application to individual, couple, family and child.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Couples relationships
> Child and adolescent counselling (4 to 14 years)
> Family & Dyadic therapy
> Experiences of Family Violence
> Trauma
> ADHD diagnosis (social/emotional impacts)
NB. Waitlist for new clients.
CLIENT DAYS: Tuesdays and Fridays
Marsha
About Marsha
Hi! I’m Marsha.
Originally from Melbourne and having lived in various parts of Australia during my childhood, my family eventually settled in Canberra. Following university, I integrated my passions for people, culture, and travel, into a fulfilling career within the travel industry. This journey led me to the UK, where I explored much of Europe and the world, and eventually spent three enriching years in New Zealand, where I met my then-husband.
In recent times, I've dedicated myself to obtaining a counselling qualification and currently serve as the Practice Administrator at ALY’S PLACE. My most important role is as a solo-parent to two children, aged 9 and 12. During my downtime, I find joy in activities such as walking, kayaking, exploring new places, and savouring delightful culinary experiences with local food and wine on the Peninsula.
My counselling approach is solutions-focused, aiming to restore calm, provide clarity, and offer mental and emotional support. I'm passionate about working with individuals, delving into areas such as women's issues, parenting skills, relationships, resilience & coping strategies, self-care, personal development, and the pursuit of life purpose.
My Qualifications
I hold a Bachelor of Management and a Diploma of Counselling, along with certificates in leadership, travel, and tourism.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Individual issues
> Women's issues
> Parenting
> Anxiety and stress
> Grief and loss
> Life transitions
CLIENT DAYS: Wednesdays
Home: Carmen
Carmen
About Carmen
Hey, I'm Carmen!
Originating from the culturally diverse country, Malaysia, I was given an opportunity by the Australian Government to move to Melbourne to pursue my Counselling studies.
My professional journey includes experiences as a humanitarian case worker, addressing issues of sexual and gender-based violence, and as a mental health recovery coach for teenagers and young adults dealing with complex trauma, eating disorders, and personality disorders.
Working with diverse communities has shown me the common thread of the profound impact of relationships on mental health. I'm passionate about helping others navigate their life's journey by focusing on improving relationships, ultimately enhancing overall life quality.
In our sessions, you can expect an open-minded, curious, and empathetic approach, creating a safe space for you to share comfortably. I am committed to doing my best and supporting your well-being. Beyond work, I find joy in singing, traveling, and spending quality time with loved ones.
My Qualifications
I hold a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and I am currently pursuing my Master of Counselling at Monash University.
I speak Cantonese and English fluently.
REDUCED RATES AVAILABLE
We offer a financial hardship rate for sessions with our counsellor Carmen, who has recently joined our practice and is in the process of establishing her client base.
Click here for more details.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
> Couples relationships
> Individual issues
> Person-centred therapy
> Creative therapies (dance, art, and play)
> Life transitions
> Trauma
CLIENT DAYS: Fridays
Fees
FEES - Stephen, Kendra, Kellie, Lena, Priscilla, Charlie, Rav, & Marsha
$160 for 60-minute individual sessions*
$180 for 60-minute child sessions with Rav (4-14 years)*
$260 for 90-minute couples sessions* $330 for 90-minute family (2+ persons) sessions*
In complex cases, fees may differ. Your therapist will advise you accordingly.
*Processing fees apply to all debit/credit card transactions.
FEES - Alyona (Lead Counsellor)
$220 for 60-minute individual sessions*
$330 for 90-minute couples sessions*
Private health insurance rebates are available with select counsellors.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
$50 surcharge applies for after 7pm sessions, on Saturdays, public holidays and during the Xmas break*
Sessions are face-to-face/online
If you experience financial hardship, please reach out and we can work something out.
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Home: Locations and Hours
Location & Hours
Immediate Availability
Mon – Fri
9:00am-9:00pm (7:00pm-9:00pm online only)
Sat
Priscilla regularly works Saturdays. Other counsellors by exception
Couples sessions: 90 min.
Individual sessions: 60 min.
Immersive relationship workshop: 1 or 2 Days, timings TBA. For more information, click here.
Location
15 Carbine Way (look for the grey/blue façade), Mornington VIC (close to Mornington racecourse) + online
Our clients travel to us from all parts of Melbourne but mainly from the communities on and around the Mornington Peninsula, such as Mornington, Mount Martha, Mount Eliza, Langwarrin, Frankston, Somerville, Rye and many, many others.
Home: Contact
Get Help.
To book your session or enquire about availability outside the usual hours, please complete the form.
Or call/text now +61499231178
15 Carbine Way, Mornington VIC 3931 (entry through the grey/blue façade)
welcome@alysplace.com.au
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