Ms Deborah Schou
Social Worker AMHSW, Relationship Therapist
Mindfully Speaking
Elwood, Melbourne VIC 3184
In Person + Telehealth
Philosophy & Vision
Compassion and respect for my clients perhaps best summarises my approach. My role as counsellor is to facilitate a gentle exploration of a person's life and the challenges they face - from their sense of self to their relationships with others - significant others, friends, and colleagues.
I draw on my own sense of self, my education, training, and work experience, as well as my own lived experience to provide an authentic and balanced approach.
Background
I am a clinical social worker with extensive experience working in hospitals and community agencies. I have undertaken extensive post-graduate training in couple and relationship counselling, trauma, and sexual abuse. Experienced particularly in: pregnancy counselling, stillbirth and parental bereavement, chronic illness and the impact on families of physical or mental illness, couple work, relationship issues, and gay and lesbian issues.
Services
Individual sessions are normally 50-55 minutes, but longer sessions can be negotiated.
Medicare rebates available with a GP referral.
Quality Provision
As a clinical social worker, I work under a code of ethics, and according to professional standards. I also seek feedback from my clients, and am open and reflective.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) - 1990
- Bachelor of Social Work - 2002
- Master of Couple and Relationship Counselling - 2012
Modalities
CBT - EMDR - Emotional Freedom Techniques - Experiential - Hypnotherapy - Marriage and Family - Meditation - Mindfulness - Narrative Therapy - Schema Therapy
Therapy Approach
A combination of talking therapies and experiential therapies, depending on the client and his or her needs and experience. Approaches may include cognitive techniques, mindfulness exercises, EMDR, tapping, hypnosis, schema therapy, imagery and behavioural exercises, and humour where appropriate.
Professional Associations
- Australian Association of Social Workers
A conversation with Deborah Schou
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It's been a long journey. I did a psychology degree in my 20s, and as a sub-major studied philosophy and religious studies subjects. I learnt so much, but had serious issues with the diagnostic and labelling approach of psychology in those days, was young, still finding my way in life, and was enjoying my working life as a Hansard reporter. After having children, I returned to study. My social work degree was a wonderful experience, allowing me to further my inclination towards helping individuals not just at the personal level but also through advocacy and political pathways. In my work as a social worker, I met people who opened my mind and heart, and found myself learning something new everyday. I then did a Masters, learning new techniques and approaches in areas that interested me, and helping me feel authentically ready to be a therapist.
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Existential, humanist, post-modernism, Buddhism, Nietzsche, and a host of others.
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I am interested in how people survive and overcome setbacks, abuse, trauma and adversity - and are capable of so much. I find this inspirational.
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Mindfulness - I love it when the client and I both connect in a mindful way. Schema therapy - which includes CBT, attachment and Gestalt elements - the richness of imagery work and helping clients identify and challenge their schemas helps clients find a new emotional experience. EMDR - when appropriate, it really helps clients make a break-through when they may have been a bit stuck. CBT - it's always important to tease out the negative thoughts and unhelpful behaviours.
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I think clients often feel progress is being made from the first contact - by their own initiation, taking that first step. Then I hope they feel we are making progress with each session. Obviously this varies, and clients have different goals.
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It keeps me anchored to my values, and reminds me that I've got a lot to learn, as each client presents a new story and requires me to be the best therapist I can be for them.
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I like the journey into another's story.
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With hair like mine, that's not hard! Yes, we are all human. And there's much to be learned from these experiences.
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Thinking we know the answer, when we haven't even fully posed the question. I worry about injustice and inequality, and how ineffective our political, economic, financial and social structures are to deal with the enormous problems we face. Why is it so hard to make this world a fairer place?
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Book: 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy.
Music: J.S. Bach
and lots of other things....