Hello, I’m Smitha.
She/Her
I’m an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, working from Shepparton, Victoria, the unceded lands, waters, and community of the Yorta Yorta people.
I am honoured to work with people on their mental health journeys, and privileged to witness their transformational experiences in therapy.
I am a South Indian migrant settler, and a cisgender female in a heterosexual relationship. I have lived experience of interpersonal trauma, racism, discrimination, medical trauma, chronic pain, bullying as well as living in a fat body. I have the privilege of access to education, being mostly able-bodied, having stable employment, as well as being a parent to name a few.
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As a social worker, I’m devoted to the principles of social justice and human rights. My approach to therapy emphasises our shared humanity, and the therapeutic bond we build in our work together. With a focus on somatic therapy and EMDR, I encourage embracing the realities (messy and beautiful!) of our lives, our bodies, and our feelings.
I believe in you leading your therapy, and giving you the space to feel empowered.
Many of my clients enter therapy because they feel stuck in their lives. They may sense a disconnect within themselves that affects their relationships — both with others and with themselves — and can impact their ability to function, through disturbed sleep, emotional outbursts, reduced performance at work, and coping mechanisms like gaming or social media addiction and substance abuse.
I emphasise the value of choice in my practice.
The uninhibited ability to make choices about your therapy is a way for you to practice finding your voice again, and experience being seen and heard. In our sessions, you’re completely free to be human — to eat, drink, yawn, use the restroom, stand or pace as you need to be able to do the work.
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You’re encouraged to choose what we discuss and explore in our time together. While I’ll add suggestions, they’re only suggestions and you’re very welcome to disagree or ask questions to make sense so you can make an informed choice to where we go in therapy next.
Our therapeutic bond
“In the realm of trauma treatment, the relationship between therapist and client is a delicate dance of empathy, safety, and understanding. It is within this therapeutic alliance that the seeds of healing are sown and nurtured.”
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— Dr. Janina Fisher
I focus on in-depth work with clients who are committed to shifting their internal experiences to move towards living and thriving. Seeing their transformation over the time we work together, as they learn to embrace more and more of their whole self, is deeply rewarding and inspiring.
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To help you reach a space of peace and contentment with yourself, my role is to accompany you to the field where you’re free to explore and understand the narratives that have defined who you are. And if you choose, you can rewrite your story, and live based on your values today — being with who matters to you, and doing what matters to you.
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It’s challenging work, and takes courage to take on. But I’ll be alongside you at every step, witnessing, guiding and cheering you on.
My qualifications, experiences and professional memberships
Master of Social Work
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Certified TIST Therapist
Full Member of EMDR Association of Australia
Registered NDIS Provider for Therapeutic Supports
Registered Medicare Provider for mental health support (Focused Psychological Strategies)
