Philosophy & Vision
I have over 25 years' experience in collaborating with clients to help them develop meaning and purpose in the face of adversity. I value the opportunity to accompany people on courageous journeys of self-exploration, recovery and justice.
Background
I have provided counselling in sexual assault services, community health centres, courts and crisis lines before moving into private practice eight years ago.
My experience has taught me that mental health struggles are strongly related to social injustice and systemic problems rather individual factors alone. I value and welcome people from historically marginalised groups and strive to make my practice culturally-safe.
I believe that the creation of a fairer society is necessary to improve mental health. For this reason I donate a proportion of my monthly income to the Aboriginal Women's Legal Service, Doctors Without Borders, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and microfinance projects in East Africa.
Services
Medicare rebates available if referred by a GP under a Mental Health Care Plan.
Rebates available under select health funds.
Quality Provision
I am registered as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). This requires me to adhere to the AASW Code of Ethics and to undertake regular professional training and supervision.
I am registered as an Accredited Practitioner with the EMDR Association of Australia.
I adhere to the National LGBTI Health Alliance's guidelines on Working Therapeutically with LGBTI Clients.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Bachelor of Social Work - 1994 - University of New South Wales
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - CBT - DBT - EMDR - Mindfulness - Person Centred - Schema Therapy - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
I have a particular interest in alleviating the impact of marginalisation and violence. I am driven by a profound admiration for the tenacity of my clients and my belief in the capacity of individuals to lead meaningful lives in the face of adversity.
My primary treatment approach is Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR), which I augment with strategies drawn from parts-informed modalities, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Somatic Trauma Therapy and Schema Therapy.
Professional Associations
- Australian Association of Social Workers
Practice Locations
Carlton Crescent
Summer Hill NSW 2130
I am located two minutes walk from Summer Hill train station or 12-15 minutes walk from Lewisham light rail station and Ashfield train station. Ample free parking in Carlton Crescent. Closest gender neutral bathrooms behind building in IGA carpark.
Appointments
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Friday mornings.
Fees & Insurance
$200 per hour for individual therapy.
$220 per hour for sessions funded by third parties.
$180 to $200 per hour for clinical supervision (plus GST).
Probono clinical supervision for Black and Indigenous mental health professionals.
Payment Options
First session to be paid in advance by internet transfer. Subsequent sessions by cash or internet transfer.
Contact Helen
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Helen Basili
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Social justice has always been very important to me and social work was a way of enacting these values.
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Intersectional feminism, anti-oppressive practice, standpoint theory.
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Non-conformity and altruism.
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An integrative method based on the foundation of a person-centred approach.
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It depends on the client, their presenting issue and their expectations. For some clients, progress can occur after a session, for others it might take many months.
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Being overly attached to 'a better person' identity can be problematic as it can result in us overlooking aspects of ourselves that don't align with that identity. Therapy has helped me become more aware of my blind spots, to develop the ability to hold myself accountable, to practice humility and to learn to accept feedback more graciously.
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Meeting interesting, courageous people whose adventures through life inspire me.
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Of course! Like most other humans on the planet, I experience the full spectrum of emotions and some are more enjoyable than others.
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Systemic inequalities which result in marginalisation for certain groups, the destruction of the environment and the increasingly unequal distribution of wealth.
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Some books I have recently enjoyed are Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko, The White Girl by Tony Birch, Mother of Strangers by Suad Amiry, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Patsy by Nicole Deniss-Benn & The Belly of the Atlantic by Fatou Diome.
Some non-fiction books that have influenced me include White Tears/Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad, My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem and I Don't by Clementine Ford.
I love comedy especially Hannah Gadsby's recent show Gender Agenda and comedian Aamer Rahman.