About Engage Counselling

Picture
Often, the most difficult step to take is the first one. This can be of particular difficulty if you don't consider happiness to be either possible, or that you don't deserve it. It also hard for those who have grown used to their impediments, like a tree that has grown around a garden tap. However, at some point, the tree prevents the water from flowing - living with the impediments becomes more difficult day by day. Old defenses don't seem to work, and life becomes about endurance - a hard slog with no joy. It doesn't have to be this way - you are not alone.
Engage with me and we will seek your happiness, your wisdom, your calm. We will seek your future self as you embark on a phase of re-invention, updating your concepts and techniques for living so once again, you can seek happiness.
counsellorChris Mehl - Psychotherapist
 








about the counsellor - chris mehl

Chris has been engaged in assisting people to free themselves  and follow their true values since graduating in 1990 

My calm consistent manner will allow you to attain a level of comfort and reassurance that facilitates the counselling process. You will feel safe and supported. 
I also have significant "real-world" experience which provides me with a grounded world view to bring to the counselling relationship. This helps not only in understanding what it is to be you, but also in in terms of therapeutic aims. Counselling and Psychotherapy are grounded in serious academic work, but my ability to bridge the gap between the academic and the practical will give you the greatest benefit with the least difficulty, and is a hallmark of my practice. 
I look forward to meeting you, and to engage with you for change.

Feel feel free to read through my blog to get a sense of what motivates and informs my practice. And please, contact me if you want to discuss any aspect of therapy before you make any decisions.

Academic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree - Psychology Major, The University of Sydney, 
  • Masters Degree - Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy,  Jansen Newman Institute Sydney,
Background:
  • Currently working with ACON, a leading community health organisation
  • 20 years in senior management and General Manager roles has provided significant insight into interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution, as well as extensive knowledge of company structures and human systems.
  • Professional career focussed on getting the best from people by helping them get the best from themselves. Utilising Counselling and Coaching practices in real-world and uncompromising circumstances to achieve a result.
  • 7 years as a volunteer telephone counsellor has significantly enlarged the diversity of problems I have been exposed to.
  • 5 Years as a Trainer for telephone counsellors.
  • 7 years of management of foreign and local staff in Japan has provided significant insight into cross-cultural differences that are essential in multi-culturally aware therapy.

Professional Association:
  • Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) - Clinical Member - Registration: 22954
  • Ongoing Professional Development
  • Indemnity Insurance: AON; AAI: LPS019843889
  • NDIS and Private Health (BUPA, Medibank Private, Police Health and Emergency Services Health) available. See the Contact page.
 mirror
 







about the counselling

I am a Humanistic counsellor and psychotherapist, operating in a largely Narrative, Trauma Informed manner.

Psychodynamic components to my work ensure I am able to adapt to individual needs, ensuring the agenda belongs to you. Utilisation of additional styles, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) further ground our work in your own values, and provide a degree of efficiency to the process.

The therapy space is a non-judgmental, trust-based, positive and honest place to grow and to develop. You will be heard and respected. 

What is Narrative Therapy?
  • Narrative therapy is a respectful and non-judgemental method of therapy that assumes you are the ultimate expert in your life.
  • Narrative therapy firmly asserts that you are not defined by your problem. You and I together will seek to separate you from your presenting difficulties to assist you to explore a new way to be.
  • Through a collaborative exploration of the "narrative" and patterns of your life, we seek to identify, and to understand your story
  • We identify those branches or patterns that we seek to "thin out" and those that we seek to nurture, or "thicken."
  • An entirely new way of being can be developed. It's like going into the studio after a successful debut album that has served you well for years - and now it's time for the second album.
I stand by you through that change as together we explore a new way for you to be, without sacrificing core values that we identify to nurture and develop.

Your unique individual nature and how that fits in to society as a whole is also focussed on. This sociological influence recognises the particular role of society's rules as we explore what it is to be female or male in contemporary society and what that means for you. This avenue of therapy is of particular relevance to members of the LGBTI community.

Business and workplace coaching is also available in the Understanding Leadership coaching program for those seeking to enhance their experience in the workplace, to gain career-driving insight, or to consolidate a professional position. Click here for details.
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be
                                                                            - Lao Tzu