Ms Ren Slade
Social Worker AMHSW, Counsellor
Omni Insight
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Online Therapy Australia-wide
Philosophy & Vision
Hey, I'm Ren, my pronies are she/they, and I'm proudly a neurodivergent, trauma survivor, lesbian, transwoman, parent of 2, and a therapist! I have 15 years experience doing therapy for queer community, neurodivergent people, and trauma survivors. I love being a therapist, because I get to work with you to find exactly what you need in therapy, and do what I can to make therapy work for you. I also know that so much of what makes therapy work is the 'click' you can feel with the right therapist, and while I can't guarantee you will get that with me, I will be keen to get to know, and respond to your needs, and how you need those needs addressed.
Background
I feel I have lived several intertwining lives as a Social Worker.
I have 15 years of experience as therapist; providing short and long term counselling to queer community, neurodivergent people, and trauma survivors.
My business, Omni Insight also brings together my experience in group work and community development, through our group work programs. I also provide clinical supervision to other therapists, many who work in and for queer community. I provide consulting services to organisations looking to improve their work with LGBTIQA+ communities. And I have channeled my community radio days in hosting the Transcending the Narrative podcast (available on Spotify)
Services
I provide therapy through Medicare (under a GP Mental Health Plan), NDIS, Victims of Crime (Victoria), and full fee paying.
I charge on a sliding scale model, which you can see on our website.
I provide Clinical Supervision, paid through your organisation, or yourself. I have a discounted rate for new graduates.
Please see our website for more information on our podcast, education, and consultation services.
Quality Provision
I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, and adhere to the AASW code of ethics.
I engage in regular clinical supervision with two experienced Social Workers, with significant experience working with queer communities, neurodivergent people, and trauma survivors.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Bachelor of Social Work - 2009 - La Trobe University
- Bachelor of Human Services - 2009 - La Trobe University
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - CBT - Inner Child - Internal Family Systems - Narrative Therapy - Person Centred - Schema Therapy - Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - Strengths-Based - Systems Theory - Trauma-Informed
Professional Associations
- Australian Association of Social Workers
Appointments
I currently work Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with reduced hours during Victorian Public Holidays. Some out of business hours appointments available
Fees & Insurance
$130 + rebate for people with an income under $70k
$160 + rebate for income between $70k and $90k
$205 + rebate for income over $90k
Trans and gender diverse people can access bulk billed appointments with an additional $20 peer consultation fee.
Payment Options
Bank transfer within 7 days of appointment
Contact Ren
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Ren Slade
-
I was that kid at high school that all her friends would go to with their big life issues. I figured out that I was pretty good at helping them, and so I thought I'd do it for a job!
-
So many! Most recently, queer and crip theories: the idea that the way we are told we should meet particular milestones in life doesn't necessarily work for us queers and people with disability. And, that this often means we have developed far more in other areas of our life.
-
On from the previous question, the aspects that develop in "atypical" ways! Whether you're a late in life lesbian, going through puberty in your 40s, learning how to cook at 50, or suddenly finding you can't organise your life the way your used to, I'm keen to work with you!
-
This depends a lot on who you are and what works for you! I tend to use a range of methods with different people, including CBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy, Schema Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Internal Family Systems (among others).
-
How long is a piece of string? This is often hard to predict or tell. What I always do is check in with you to see if therapy, and the way we are doing it is working for you. I hope that you would get a sense as we go of if things are getting better for you.
-
In so many ways! I'm both a client of therapy, and a therapist, and both of these ways have transformed my life in significant ways. I have been in and out of therapy at different points in my life since I was 16, and it has meant that I have learnt different ways to understand myself, and find better ways of coping. I also use the therapeutic techniques I use with my clients, on myself.
-
As cheesy as it sounds, seeing people get better: in way that is right for them, and in a way that they feel more confident to face whatever other challenges they may face.
-
Yes! I will occasionally have days where life's challenges will get to me a little too much. As a therapist, I know that I am not immune from this, and that I have the responsibility not to let that impact on my work with my clients. That means that I will occasionally take days off to ensure I am rested and have a "good hair" day the next day!
-
Wow, they ask the light questions, huh?! It's hard to whittle it down to one. I'd say how polarised, and divisive politics and public debate has become. I see that it has been at least partly responsible for things like inaction on climate change, and the increasing transphobia in the English speaking world at the moment.
-
There are so so many! I am a big reader, and some of my favourite recent ones have been "The Queer Art of Failure" by Jack Halberstam, and "We Are All Neurodiverse" by Sonny Jane Wise