Hello, my name is Helen Larkey. I am a Masters level trained and experienced counsellor and educator and also a Food and Nutrition Coach.

I have been a practising counsellor for eighteen years and have counselled individuals, couples and families with all types of issues.

As a specialist in relationship counselling I have a particular interest and am passionate about working with people to help them empower themselves and reach their relationship goals.

Other involvements include training in group work and conflict management – and as a trainer in couple communication.

My journey began in London where I commenced training in child and family support. Trained in Attachment Theory I spent six years working in this area working with a team of professionals aiming to reunite children in care with their parents or where that was not possible to find foster families for them.

After meeting my Australian, now husband, I travelled to Sydney to join him and continued my work with children and families working in various organisations including Dr. Banardos .

This work was extremely rewarding but did not lend itself to having ones own family, so I transitioned into catering. Food had always been an interest and a hobby. After several years of cooking, I wanted to use my mind more, so I enrolled as a mature student into the Bachelor of Social Science at Southern Cross University in Coffs Harbour majoring in Counselling and Psychology.

After finishing my degree in 2002 I was asked to teach counselling and communication to students of Naturopathy at the NSW College of Naturopathy Coffs Harbour and at the same time I undertook a Graduate Diploma in Counselling. I loved teaching so was thrilled to be offered a fixed term contract to teach counselling at SCU (from 2005-2011).

Around this time I, with a psychologist friend I founded Counselling Services Inc., a free counselling service in Coffs Harbour NSW, where I still supervisors some of the counsellors working there. At the same time I commenced my Masters in Applied Social Science (Counselling).

My current practice began in 2012 in Bangalow in the beautiful region of Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers of NSW. My husband first brought me to Byron Bay many years before and I fell in love with the area and we moved here in 2011 fulfilling a dream. I have three adult children and have been married for many years, so I have been through a lot of the issues that my clients present with. I have been through the “terrible twos” and the often trying teenage years and come out the other side.

My work expresses my firm belief that power is found within relationships, and that we are all in a relationship with others and our environment.

I believe that every person has within them the capacity to achieve their goals and dreams.

When people find themselves stuck on life’s path I can provide the setting for you to achieve what you wish for yourself and your family. I work with my clients in a collaborative partnership looking at their strengths, solutions and preferred options.

In couples and family counselling there is no judgement or taking sides.

My role is purely to assist you as the client – to help navigate your relationships. I provide a safe space for you to explore your issues and listen for you preferred options. I work very individually with all my clients, having a background of teaching counselling for many years at university level equips me with the many different theories and approaches to counselling. Therefore you may have a similar problem to other clients such as communication issues, but how you wish to solve it will be unique to your own personal relationship.

I believe the person is not the problem, the problem is the problem. This is the main premise of my work.

I am a clinical supervisor and supervise counsellors face to face and online or telephone. I also engage in my own regular supervision. I have conducted training for a large NGO in the Northern Rivers and am a Trainer for Social Futures in Lismore. I have a work cover accredited number for NSW.

With seventeen years experience in both the academic and personal elements of counselling, I welcome your contact to discuss your specific situation.
I am here to help.

Qualifications

• B.Soc.Sci (counselling and psychology) Grad Dip Counselling, M.Applied Social Science (counselling)
• Prof Cert in Food and Nutrition Coaching
• Association Memberships
• PACF Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia (clinical member)
• Member of Australia Counselling
• Work Cover provider member for NSW