Who are we?

Accredited Social Worker - member of Australian Association of Social Workers, approved Victims Services Counsellor, Circle of Security Facilitator, and EMDR therapist.

Alara is described as relaxed, warm, honest and direct. 

Alara has over 10 years experience working with families, adults and children & young people in the context of:

• mental health (all ages)
• perinatal mental health (pregnancy, the newborn stage and onwards)
• parenting support and family therapy
• child and toddler behaviour
• Youth mental health
• bereavement (including pregnancy loss)
• trauma
• family and domestic violence/healthy relationships
• sexual assault
• substance use
• family therapy
• separation and parental conflict

Alara uses a range of different approaches and is trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She also works from attachment style frameworks, trauma-informed care, systems theory and strengths perspective.

Hayley is a newly graduated Social Worker from the University of Newcastle who completed her final university placement with us here at The Joy Circle. We loved her so much that she is now working with us, offering counselling services.

Hayley is a proud Aboriginal woman from Wakka Wakka county. 

Hayley's fire began in the Early Childhood setting where she cared and advocated for children prior to beginning her social work journey. Hayley comes to us with a huge amount of experience from 2x 500 hour clinical placements already and a cadetship with NSW health. This has involved working with families, children, adolescents and adults in the context of: 

• mental health (both co-facilitation and individual facilitation of counselling sessions)
• family violence
• sexual assault
• cancer care/support
• parenting support in management of children's behaviour
• Biopsychosocial assessments and linking to supports

Our team identifies as from culturally diverse backgrounds. We both have specific interests and experience in working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

We understand the huge impact that racism, discrimination, and systematic oppression can have on your mental health and life. 

If you need a counsellor who can understand your unique experience whilst considering your own cultural background, please reach out. 

Our mission is to provide a judgement free, inclusive, confidential, caring and safe space.

We strive to provide an inclusive environment for all - including our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, LGBTQI Communities, people with disabilities, and those who identify as from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds. 

Babies, toddlers, children, teens, young adults, Mums, Dads, adults, older people… 

No matter who you are, we’re here for you.