Individual Counselling, Psychotherapy & Couples Counselling
Relational and neuroaffirming approach
Finding your way
Life and relationships can appear manageable from the outside, while on the inside you may feel anxious, depleted, or overwhelmed, as though you are constantly trying to keep up with it all. Whatever has brought you here, you have likely already put a great deal of thought, effort, and energy into finding your way through. Therapy is not about asking you to try harder, become someone you are not or keep pushing through. Whether you are seeking individual or couples therapy, I tailor our work to fit your unique circumstances, needs, and goals.
Hi, I’m Katia
I am a Certified Practicing Counsellor and a Master’s-qualified Gestalt Psychotherapist, working with individuals and couples both in person and online.
I am originally from Russia, which has given me a personal understanding of life between cultures, the need for belonging, and the search for connection.
I believe that therapy should be a warm and human experience, rather than cold or impersonal.
I have a particular interest in supporting neurodivergent adults, including autistic adults and adults with ADHD. My approach recognises both the strengths and challenges of navigating relationships, work and everyday life in a world that is not designed with neurodivergent people in mind.
Relational Home reflects my belief that therapy can be a process of coming home to yourself and finding the vitality and courage to navigate life and relationships in ways that feel authentic and true to you.
Areas of support:
Relationships and Connection
Conflict and communication challenges
Negative cycles and relationship difficulties
Attachment and relationship anxiety
Building self-trust and healthy boundaries
Blended family dynamics
Separation, breakup, and divorce
Emotional Wellbeing
Anxiety, panic, and overwhelm
Chronic stress
Building emotional resilience and self-awareness
Addiction & recovery
Intrusive thoughts/compulsive behaviours.
Neurodivergent Adults
Neuroaffirming support for autistic adults and adults with ADHD, AuDHD
Navigating relationships, work, and life transitions as a neurodivergent person
Support with executive functioning and creating strategies
Understanding and accommodating sensory needs
Life Transitions
Immigration, relocation, and cultural adjustment
Adjusting to unexpected life events and uncertainty
Locations & Availability
I offer counselling and psychotherapy in three ways:
Mullumbimby (Wednesdays)
Centre for Mind Body Wellness
Upstairs in the Arcade
Shop 2/108 Stuart Street
Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Newrybar
In-person appointments are available from my private practice space in Newrybar, NSW.
Online · Australia & International
Online sessions are available across Australia and internationally. When booking, select your local time zone to see appointment times where you are.
Gestalt therapy students are welcome.
How it works
Initial Session:
Our first session is an opportunity for us to learn more about what brings you to therapy and the support you are seeking. For individuals, we will discuss your current life situation, relevant history, relationships, your strengths, and the challenges you are facing. For couples, the initial sessions will include a structured assessment of your relationship, your concerns, and what each of you hopes to change. Read more about how I work with couples here.
Following Sessions:
Therapy is tailored to what matters most to you. We may engage in conversation, slow down certain moments, identify patterns, explore emotions or relationships, address issues that arise during our sessions, or discover practical approaches to tackle challenges differently. I understand that everyone processes experiences in their own unique way. You might connect with yourself through feelings, thoughts, sensations, movement, patterns, logic, humor, images, or something entirely different. There is no specific way you need to approach therapy here.
As Our Work Develops:
Change doesn’t have to mean transforming into someone entirely different. Instead, it can involve gaining more choices, increased flexibility, stronger relationships, or a greater ability to live in ways that align with your true self.
We work towards what matters to you, at a pace that feels meaningful and sustainable, allowing the direction of therapy to develop as you do.
Holding hope without forcing change
As a Gestalt psychotherapist, one of my primary roles is to hold hope for my clients while we navigate uncertainty together. I’ve come to realise that this sense of hope isn’t derived from mere reassurance or positive thinking; rather, it arises from exploring the complexities of experience and embracing change through a paradoxical perspective.
The Paradoxical Theory of Change (Beisser, 1970), a core concept in Gestalt therapy, essentially suggests this: meaningful change does not come from trying to be something different but from fully accepting and being who we are in the present moment.
As I write this, I feel a sense of expansion in my heart, serving as an embodied reminder of the hope this approach provides me.
It offers hope for myself, for others, and for the world. My personal therapeutic growth and professional development have been profoundly influenced by this theory. I am learning to embrace my own complexities and to face uncertainty with awareness. This ongoing process enables me to engage with my clients in a deeper, more expansive way.
Beisser, A. (1970). The Paradoxical Theory of Change. Gestalt Therapy Now, ed. J. Fagan & I.L. Shepherd, Harper & Row, New York
Client Outcomes
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Greater self-awareness and emotional clarity
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Stronger, more authentic relationships
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A deeper sense of self-acceptance and confidence
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Tools to navigate life’s challenges with intention and resilience
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Feeling more connected, grounded, and empowered
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From the Blog
I write about topics that are important to me and my work, including neurodivergence, relationships, wellbeing, and understanding ourselves and each other.
You may find something here that helps you make sense of your own experiences.
Have a read →
Book a session or get in touch
You’re welcome to reach out with any questions or to see whether working together might feel like a good fit.
Relational Home
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Mullumbimby · Newrybar · Online
Services · FAQ · Privacy
ABN 16 750 567 092
I live and work on Bundjalung Country, on unceded land. I acknowledge the Bundjalung people as the Traditional Custodians and honour their living connection to land, waters, and community. I recognise that colonisation is ongoing and continues to shape the field we all live within.
last updated September, 2026