Adriana Cope

A conversation with Adriana Cope

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  As a young business graduate in the mining industry I figured out pretty quickly that corporate was not for me. I embarked on a backpacking journey and discovered my passion for advocacy and social justice. Retraining 25 years ago as a social worker and psychotherapist has been the best life decision I ever made!

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  I incorporate elements of humanistic psychology, focusing on the inherent value and potential for growth within each individual. I value connection, compassion, curiosity and integrity. At the end of the day I aim to improve quality of life and to become obsolete in a client's life. I want to empower people to come unstuck and to make changes that will help them recover or find resolution to challenges.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I’m interested in the emotional and psychological aspects of the human journey. Especially how people make meaning in the face of adversity and heal from relational wounds. My focus is on helping individuals work through experiences like anxiety, grief, trauma, and major life transitions. I’m drawn to the parts of the human journey that ask us to pause, reflect, and grow - moments that can feel disorienting, but are often deeply transformative. I believe these challenges, when met with curiosity, can lead to greater self-understanding, resilience, and connection.

• What methods do you use?

  I use a trauma-informed, integrative approach to therapy that draws from evidence-based methods while remaining attuned to each client’s unique needs and experiences. My practice includes elements of:
  
  -EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) for processing trauma and distressing memories
  
  -Parts work (including Internal Family Systems) to explore and heal inner conflicts and emotional patterns
  
  -Cognitive and somatic techniques to support regulation, insight, and mind-body connection
  
  -Narrative and meaning-oriented approaches to help clients make sense of their experiences and reconnect with their values and strengths
  
  Above all, I prioritise a relational and client-centred foundation, creating a safe space where people feel heard, respected, and supported in their journey toward change and healing.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Progress looks different for everyone. Some clients begin to find relief after the first few sessions—simply from feeling heard, validated, and not alone in their struggles. For others, progress becomes more noticeable as they begin to understand patterns, respond differently in familiar situations, or reconnect with a sense of agency and clarity.
  
  Therapy isn’t a quick fix, but most clients begin to notice meaningful shifts within the first 6 to 10 sessions. That said, we’ll regularly check in on what progress looks like for you, so we can stay attuned to your goals and needs as they evolve.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has been life changing for me, personally and professionally. It’s helped me understand myself on a deeper level, recognise patterns I couldn’t see on my own, and develop more compassionate ways of relating to myself and others. Through therapy, I’ve learned how to hold uncomfortable feelings, navigate change, and stay grounded during stressful challenges. These experiences have shaped who I am, and inform how I show up as a therapist — with presence, empathy, and a belief in the capacity for growth and healing.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I have the privilege of walking alongside people during some of the most vulnerable and transformative moments of their lives. It’s incredibly meaningful to witness someone reclaim their voice, shift longstanding patterns, or begin to treat themselves with the kindness they’ve always deserved. I’m constantly inspired by my clients’ courage, insight, and capacity for change. Being able to offer a safe, respectful space where healing can unfold, at each person’s own pace, is something I never take for granted.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  I’m human too - ask my husband and five kids. Therapy isn’t about having it all together ... it’s about showing up as we are, even on the messy days!

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  Disconnection from ourselves, from each other, and from a sense of meaning. The world often prioritises productivity over presence and comparison over connection, so many people are feeling isolated, unseen, and emotionally flooded. This disconnection underlies so much of the anxiety, trauma, and relational difficulty we see.
  
  I see healing as a reconnection process—coming home to who we are, building safe and authentic relationships, and making space for what truly matters. Therapy is one small but powerful way to resist the pull of disconnection and reclaim our capacity for insight, empathy, and hope.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  I'm a Frida Kahlo fan! Frida's ability to express emotional pain and resilience through her raw, vivid art inspires me. Kahlo’s life and art remind me of the power of turning suffering into something meaningful. How we can hold both brokenness and strength at the same time is amazing. Her honesty and self-exploration reflect so much of what I value in the therapeutic process: courage, self-inquiry, and the reclaiming of one’s story.