The Fresh Start counselling team consists of professionally trained (male and female) staff who provide a range of services and approaches geared toward individuals, couples and families.
Our counselling service helps people address their substance use and the impact it may be having on their lives. Substance use disorders and addiction can adversely affect relationships, health, work, mental state and other areas of functioning. Counselling aims to help people to focus on the underlying issues that have may have contributed to their substance use disorders and addiction and identify subsequent relapse triggers. Issues underpinning or accompanying drug use might include trauma, depression, grief and loss, behavioural problems or anxiety.
Using a range of tools for discussion, all our counsellors adopt an integrated person-centred and collaborative approach, ensuring that clients determine their own treatment goals and are actively involved in developing their own recovery plans.
Tony has trained as a neuropsychiatrist in his former home of Croatia and emigrated to Australia 25 years ago. Since coming to Australia Tony has been at Fresh Start for 20 years and is the counselling team lead. Tony’s approach is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This counselling approach focusses on self-reflection and introspective training to understand addictive behaviour in the context which it occurs, and allow a conscious choice to change.
Rhonda has been with Fresh Start since our very beginnings. Rhonda is a families and youth expert who focusses on supporting people to make positive choices regarding their drug use, make positive life decisions and resolve impulsive behaviour. Rhonda also has a depth of experience in youth counselling and support from long term experience working in various youth drug services. She also has extensive experience in drug and alcohol related couples counselling.
