Tina Louise Richards is the owner and Director of Holistic Vitality Counselling Centre. She is a Clinical Counsellor with 15 years’ experience working with women in 1-1 counselling as well as group settings. Tina has a cert 1V in training and assessment and has written and facilitated several women’s personal and spiritual development workshops over the years.
Additionally, she has been working in the intellectual disability field for the past 8 years. She has trained in natural medicine and other alternative therapies and is also a Reiki Master Practitioner and teacher.
Tina is a registered member of the ACA.
Background
My own personal experience growing up amongst alcoholism and family violence has led me on a calling to support and advocate for others. I understand first hand the invisible scarring that this trauma leaves on our psyche and how it continues to affect future generations if we don’t heal it in ourselves.
Patterns of behaviour developed in childhood can become problematic in adulthood until we decide to take back control of our lives. No matter how difficult the past has been we can create a happier and more rewarding life for ourselves. We can develop many skills through self awareness that can challenge our self defeating behaviours and promote personal growth.
Change is a very long process and it does not come without resistance but I believe we are moving in the right direction towards zero tolerance for family violence and sexual abuse. I have been extremely fortunate to have had the following opportunities to be an advocate and a voice for those that are not able to stand up for themselves just yet.
Austin Health Consumer representative SSRV (Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence & Child Safe Standards) CSS Project.
Personal invitation to attend a meeting with the late Hon Minister Fiona Richardson (Our country’s first minister for the prevention of family violence) at NCASA (Northern centre against sexual assault) to discuss family violence, sexual assault and child safety issues.
Voluntary work with Whittlesea Community Connections (W.C.C)
Wesley Life-Force: Suicide Prevention
Lifeline: Recognise and respond to domestic and family violence
To further support clients with anxiety and stress related issues I have also studied complimentary and natural healing modalities and course facilitator training (Cert 1V TAA)
Facilitation of women’s workshops in personal & spiritual development
Became interested in Reiki healing after personally experiencing its positive effects on stress and anxiety. Reiki 1 & 2 and followed on with Reiki Master training in 2005.
Studied Mindfulness in 2012 and went on to write and professionally record a guided meditation CD.
Professional Qualifications
Diploma Health Science (Massage)
Diploma Holistic Counselling
Diploma Counselling
Diploma Mindfulness
Diploma Colour Therapy
Reiki Master
Cert 1V Training and Assessment
NLP Practitioner Certification
Certificate Natural Medicine
Certificate 111 Aged Care
Certificate 111 Home and Community Care
Wesley Life-force training: Suicide prevention
Lifeline training: Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
Mission
My mission is to provide a safe and respectful Counselling environment that is supportive and conducive to good mental and emotional health and well-being. To hold a space where healing can occur, and personal growth can flourish. To develop rapport and meaningful connections with all clients.
To support and empower each individual as they navigate the many faceted parts of their human experiences. To witness their journey with respect and integrity, to support them with care and compassion. To cheer them on as they move through both small and greater challenges.
To be a witness and a guiding light as they explore and develop their own self-awareness, strengths and hidden potential as they navigate their way forward.
To work in a holistic manner that recognises the integral relationship between mind, body and the essence of the human spirit. To work theoretically and principally to promote a healthier, happier and more quality experience of life for all clients.
Vision
My vision of hope is to witness this country experience a prolific decline in the incidence of domestic and sexual violence. To educate and encourage current and future generations to relinquish any outdated or unhealthy perceptions of women. To support and encourage women to develop boundaries central to achieving healthy and respectful relationships.
It is through offering support, guidance and encouragement to those experiencing abuse that we assist them in drawing back their power when in unhealthy situations.
Providing advocacy, education and referral supports the development of personal strength resilience and change, this reduces and often prevents the continuation of the cycle of abuse.
We can all be participants in the fruition of this vision; by empowering women we purposefully change their direction. either away from or out of abusive relationships or other harmful situations.
Every one of us deserves to have a happy, safe and fulfilling life.
Values
To provide a confidential and non-judgemental environment where clients feel comfortable to express themselves openly and honestly.
To build meaningful connections with all clients, to encourage and develop rapport that supports and encourages open dialect free from shame or embarrassment.
To encourage self-empowerment and confidence by fostering the development of emotional, mental and spiritual growth.
To support all clients through their challenges, celebrate their victories and encourage and prepare them to live out the changes they have worked to create.
Emergency & Crisis Telephone Support
Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue | 1300 22 46 36
Headspace | 1800 650 890
Kids Helpline | 1800 551 800
Lifeline | 13 11 44
MensLine Australia | 1300 789 978
QLife | 1800 184 527