This blog navigates…
Real connection and gentle exploration
Counselling can often feel like a mystery. We hear the term, but its true essence can be elusive.
What is therapy really?
How is it different from psychology or social work?
What does it offer?
These are questions that many of us have asked at some point. The truth is, counselling isn’t something we’re taught about in school, and many of us are left to piece it together on our own.
For me, counselling is a conversation. It’s about creating a safe space where you can speak your truth, explore your inner world, and find clarity. It’s an invitation to slow down, reflect, and grow. Sometimes, we overcomplicate what counselling or therapy is when at its core it’s simply about being heard and understood in the most gentle, human way.
A Conversation with Sean Menere: Why Real Connection Matters
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with my colleague Sean, a fellow therapist who primarily works with men and relationships.
Even though we focus on different populations, our work shares one key value: realness in therapy. We spent time talking about the wellness trends that dominate so much of our lives today. Both of us agree that healing begins with real human connection.
Therapy isn’t about following the latest trend or trying to be perfect. True healing happens when we create space to just be, to sit with ourselves without judgment. Sean shared how his clients often come into therapy just wanting to feel better. But as he said, therapy isn’t a quick fix, it’s about uncovering what it means to feel better and focusing on the patterns in our thoughts and behaviours.
This is something I wholeheartedly agree with. Therapy isn’t about solving problems right away. It’s about understanding where we are, how we got here, and what might help us move forward. As Sean pointed out, one of the most powerful moments in therapy is when both the therapist and client make a connection. It’s that light bulb moment when something clicks and the client is able to try something new.
This idea of connecting and meeting people where they are resonates deeply with my own approach to therapy. I believe that connection, first and foremost, is where change begins. We can’t rush the process, and we shouldn’t try to. Sometimes it’s about simply being with someone who will listen deeply and reflect back what they hear.
And sometimes, that’s all we need to begin the work; the relationship.
The Heart of My Approach: Gentle Exploration and Compassionate Connection
My counselling approach is rooted in curiosity and compassion.
I work primarily with women, but I’ve found that the principles I use are applicable to anyone who wants to explore their inner world. I don’t follow rigid intake forms or clinical measures. What matters most to me is your story, what’s going on for you right now, and how we can move through it together, at your own pace.
I draw on strength-based therapies and incorporate elements from Internal Family Systems and expressive therapies to help clients explore the patterns inside that may be causing distress. We’re all human, and we all face struggles, whether it’s self-doubt, communication issues, or emotions like guilt and shame. Therapy isn’t about textbook definitions, it’s about understanding what these struggles mean for you and your life.
Through therapy, we often bump into the same struggles over and over. But this repetition isn’t a sign of failure, it’s an opportunity for growth. A metaphor a teacher once shared with me is imagining an invisible pole in the room. Imagine we keep walking into it, tripping over it again and again.
The goal of therapy is to help you become aware of the pole. Once you see it, you can change how you move around it, slowing down, pausing, or even changing direction. That’s where growth happens.
Why I Became a Therapist: Empathy and Understanding
Like many of us in the field, my own journey to becoming a therapist stemmed from personal experience.
I have found therapy to offer me a sense of freedom that I didn’t find in other modalities. I am driven by curiosity, and being a sensitive and observant person, I’ve always been curious about our internal world and what happens within.
I’m particularly passionate about supporting those struggling with anxiety, overwhelm, or uncertainty. I know how isolating it can feel to carry the weight of these emotions alone. I believe that everyone, regardless of gender, deserves to have a space where they can express their feelings without judgment and explore the parts of themselves that might feel confusing or painful.
Therapy isn’t about fixing anything, it’s about creating the space where you can discover the answers that already exist within you.
The Importance of Real Connection: How Sean’s Philosophy Aligns with My Approach
In this recent conversation with Sean, he shared his approach to therapy: meeting people where they are.
This philosophy really resonated with me because it aligns so deeply with my own approach to therapy. Whether I’m working with young women or anyone else, my focus is always on meeting people where they are emotionally and mentally.
Therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve had difficult experiences in the past. But I believe that therapy isn’t about having all the answers right away, it’s about creating a safe space, building trust, and allowing healing to happen gradually, as you feel comfortable within the relationship.
As Sean emphasised in our conversation, real connection is what makes therapy effective. When we feel truly heard, understood, and safe, that’s when lasting change can begin. Therapy isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about offering you a space to explore your inner world and move forward at a pace that feels right for you.
If you’re curious about counselling and how it might support you, I encourage you to reach out. Therapy is a personal journey, and every therapist brings a unique style. At different stages in life, we may need different kinds of support.
Be kind to yourself during the process, knowing that many of us therapists are here because we genuinely care about helping you navigate your journey.
About the author:
Alana Rhodes is a qualified and registered integrative therapist (ACA Level 2) with a background in yoga, Ayurveda, and holistic wellness.
Drawing from strengths-based therapies like narrative, solution-focused, and person-centred therapy within a trauma-informed framework, she draws inspiration from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and expressive practices.
Alana believes curiosity is the key to freedom and is deeply passionate about inspiring hope and emotional freedom in others. She offers online sessions that have received glowing praise from her clients. Find out more and get in touch with Alana at alanagrace.com.au
