Welcome to Awake Counselling, and thank you for finding your way here. We’re delighted that you’ve connected with us. The essence and motto behind Awake Counselling revolve around the idea that one must be awake, prepared, and in a space to embark on their healing journey.
Our symbol, the rooster, carries multiple meanings. It signifies the rooster’s crow, symbolizing the commencement of a new day, new beginnings, and transformative change.
At Awake Counselling, our mission is to assist individuals who are ready to utilise counselling as a tool to comprehend their trauma, address issues, tackle challenges, and enhance their overall well-being. We understand that counselling isn’t a magic fix that eradicates trauma instantly or a switch that we can click; rather, it’s a journey of healing and awakening that we can embark on together as a team.
We’re here to support you in navigating this journey towards a brighter, more awakened future.
My name is Elvis Caus (pronounced Chaush) and I was born in Bosnia, my family arrived in Australia in 1993 as refugees, and this vibrant country has been my home ever since.
As a dedicated social worker, my journey began in 2005, and I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse communities, including children and adults with disabilities, child protection, mental health, individuals living with HIV, and male survivors of childhood sexual trauma, along with their supporters. My professional path has led me to collaborate with LGBTIQA+ individuals, First Nations people, refugees, and those from various cultural backgrounds. From my modest beginnings in Melbourne to the bustling streets of London, I’ve called Sydney home since 2015.
Counselling isn’t just a profession for me; it’s a calling, a fascination, and a life purpose. Guided by a passion for helping people, my unwavering commitment is rooted in the transformative power of empathy, compassion, connection, and collaboration. These values shape the foundation of the safe and supportive space I aim to create for your personal growth and healing.
I believe we all embark on a journey to discover our life’s purpose, and I consider counselling to be not just a career but a deeply ingrained part of who I am. It’s my way of joining others on their paths to recovery and self-discovery, offering support, understanding, and a helping hand, one step at a time.
As a therapist, I embody patience, calmness, and a profound presence. My journey, from being a young refugee to working in diverse settings dealing with childhood and adult trauma, has instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and understanding. There’s very little that can unsettle me — I’m here, fully present, and ready to listen.
In our sessions, you can count on an environment where patience is at the forefront, a sense of calm, and my steadfast presence is here to back you up. These qualities aren’t just part of my professional toolkit; they’re integral to who I am. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of your journey, setting the pace that feels most comfortable for you.
We provide individual counselling for those who have a genuine need and a yearning to talk through their challenges. Taking the step to be awake, wanting to make positive changes for yourself, is a significant stride forward — just like finding us here.
You don’t have to navigate your journey alone. Whether you’re seeking a brief respite or a more extended partnership, Awake Counselling can be the stepping stone to support you. We’re here to offer a listening ear, collaborative problem-solving, and a safe space for your personal growth, behaviour change and well-being.
‘Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.'
Available for free initial 10-15 minute consultation so that we both get a sense of what you’d like to work on and for your own sense about who I am.
Fees for individual counselling will be $170 per session – cash, mobile payID or Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).
We need more than 48 hour notice (2 days) regarding any changes, otherwise the appointment will be counted as a cancellation/session used/fee applied.
*First session payment requested in advance.
Awake Counselling acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea on which we live and work. We pay our respect to Past, Present and Future Elders.
Helpful numbers to save in your phone:
13YARN – 139 276
Lifeline – 131 114
Qlife – 1800 184 527
SAMSN’s Peer Support Line – 1800 472 676
Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved.
We don’t have to solve all problems when our friends or family members are down, sometimes just being there, saying nothing helps. We have the ability to help ourselves and it does help to know we are not alone. If you haven’t seen someone for a while, reach out and visit just to hang out, it might help beyond of what you think.
#awakecounselling #connection #depressioncure #youarenotalone #reachout #reconnect
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Shout out to all the wonderful people in our life that lift us up and support us through good and bad times. These beautiful people also need your care and love, through words and actions. Keep strengthening and deepening that connection on a regular basis. It matters to us and them. 💜
#awakecounselling #postitwisdom #youarebeautiful #peoplethatliftusup #goodpeople #goodsupport #connection ... See MoreSee Less
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Walking and driving around Sydney this weekend was a reminder of what a beautiful place this is and the stark contrast of the tragedy we had to deal with the weekend before. Trauma following the Bondi incident can trigger those that have historically survived domestic violence, sexual assault and other types of violence or crime. NSW Victim Services can be contacted on 1800019123 for further support and information.
Despite the often insensitive and repetitive media coverage, there have been many glimmers of hope, resilience and connection in the community so I hope we can continue to build on that. Other amazing organisations have also been available to help and support.
#awakecounselling #approvedcounsellor #nswvictimservices #nswvs #trauma #bondiattack #survivors #CSA #sexualassault #domesticviolence #supportisavailable #resilience #connection #hope ... See MoreSee Less
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Sincere condolences to the families of the horrific and tragic incident that occurred at Bondi Junction Shopping Centre, as well as those dealing with the shock and trauma as witnesses.
Grateful that NSW Victim Services has immediately reached out to all of us Approved Counsellors to ask us to be available to help and support people. If you or anyone you know has been affected then please know that you can apply for counselling support.
NSW Victim Services counselling is available to anyone that has experienced a crime in NSW, including those that are secondary victims.
Approved Counsellors are available to support you once the application is approved:
victimsservices.justice.nsw.gov.au/victims-services/how-can-we-help-you/victims-support-scheme/co...
#awakecounselling #nswvictimservices #nswvs #approvedcounsellor #trauma #counselling #counsellor #SydneyAttack #SydneyTragedy #bondiattack #counsellingsupport ... See MoreSee Less
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💕🩷🥰💕🩷🥰💕🩷💕🩷🥰🥰💕🩷🥰💕🩷🥰🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
🙏🙏🙏🌺🌼🌸💕💕💕
Sharing the counselling space in Pyrmont is an exciting collaboration. Yannick leads sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays, while I join from Wednesday to Friday in-person. Though our team may be small, we leverage our strong connection to the cause. We cherish the support we get from external supervision, and mentoring in our private practice. Plus we’re lucky to have Dianne, our wonderful ‘front desk mother-hen’, supporting us every step of the way.
In our discussions, we don’t shy away from the challenges and vulnerabilities of our work. Yet, we always return to the heart of why we do what we do: to help, to support, and to form meaningful connections. It’s this shared purpose that fuels our passion and drives us forward.
As we journey alongside those we serve, we take humble steps in pointing out landmarks and walking with them at their pace. Witnessing their progress is immensely rewarding and fills us with gratitude for the opportunity to be part of their lives and their journey.
#awakecounselling #biglight #counselling #counsellors #privatepractice #collaboration #mentorsupport #lifepurpose #lifepassion #safespace #blackwattleclinic #pyrmont ... See MoreSee Less
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Simple graphics like this demonstrate and describe the way of the healing journey. Up, down and all the way around, it takes its path one step at a time. For some folks the healing part might just be making that initial phone call, confiding in a friend or finally acknowledging that something needs to shift.
We get you, we hear you and we are here to take those steps with you. Counselling is just one of the steps in this healing journey, actions and behaviour change are additional steps that bring about change and shift you might need. Recognising, acknowledging and asking for help can seem daunting and scary…yet what’s on the other side of fear is inspiring.
#awakecounselling #counselling #healingjourney #growthmindset #change #othersideoffear
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During EMDR training we got to immerse ourselves into scenarios and that included going through the stages of having the EMDR process applied to your own chosen memory. My emotional change from believing ‘I’m a bad person’ regarding this specific memory and through this specific EMDR reprocessing and allowing my brain to heal from that challenge, I am able to say to myself ‘I am good enough’.
Wonder how many of us out there have had times where we put ourselves down due to past experiences and events, yet we can learn to process and say that we are good enough.
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Excited and honoured to have now been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Therapy. Cannot wait to be able to apply this in practice immediately and offer this to current people I’m supporting and those in future. Practising EMDR has to commence as soon as possible in order to maintain the training learnt.
#awakecounselling #emdrtherapist #emdr #emdrworks #emdrtrained #counselling
www.facebook.com/share/p/8GuBoRrWa5cC8hww/?mibextid=WC7FNeWhen most people think of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), they immediately picture the eye movements that define this therapy. But here's a surprising fact: rapid bilateral stimulation (BLS), typically eye movements, commonly isn’t introduced until a few sessions into the therapy process. EMDR Therapy is an 8-phase approach, and we don’t start using rapid BLS to resolve painful memories until we have reached Phase 4 in EMDR Therapy. This highlights the depth and complexity of this therapy, underscoring that it's not just a quick-fix, but a comprehensive approach to healing.
Before reaching Phase 4, an EMDR therapist and their client work together through a range of history-taking, goal-setting, preparation and resourcing activities, to ensure the client’s readiness for the transformative memory reprocessing work that will follow in later sessions. This ensures that when rapid BLS is introduced, it is at a time when the client can most benefit from it, making the process of healing as safe and effective as possible.
This careful structuring is what makes EMDR so effective, allowing people to process and heal from trauma in a safe, supported environment. So, next time you think of EMDR, remember it's not just about the eye movements; it's about a carefully crafted journey to change. ... See MoreSee Less
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Get amongst it! 😁
Completing my pre-training reading for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) training that I’ll be attending for the next three days. I’ve been reading and speaking to colleagues about EMDR for a long time so I am excited to be able to learn from the best and bring this psychotherapy treatment into my practice. 🤩
On top of that, I introduced a new rug to the counselling room in Pyrmont this morning for a bit more comfort. ☺️
#awakecounselling #emdr #emdrtraining #counselling #trauma #ptsd #reprocessing #safecounsellingspace #blackwattleclinic #pyrmont ... See MoreSee Less
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Enjoy the training!
That's a rug that really ties the room together 🥰
Love this! I was considering training in it, but not sure I have enough foundation training, as I'm physical therapist, not mental. Lemme know how you go! 🧡
Amazing babes! That sounds genuinely fascinating too. Keen to hear more!
Today is world social work day 2024 and I couldn’t be prouder to have completed my degree nearly 20 years ago. It has given me opportunities I never imagined arriving as a refugee from Bosnia, growing up in Wollongong (the Gong) that I’d get this study possibility. The degree has given me the chance to work here in Australia and in the UK with so many different people, life issues, challenges and to also share in their success stories, joy and human resilience.
Besides all the skin and bones, plus the nearly 70% water content, there are so many feelings, emotions and dreams that unite us as humans. When we learn to sit more with our own feelings and allow others to share their own, we quickly learn how we are all alike, that we have the same fears and the same hope. Especially hope for peace, care and safety. 🕊️✌🏽🕊️✌🏽🕊️✌🏽
#awakecounselling #wswd2024 #aasw #socialworker #counsellor #peace #care #safety ... See MoreSee Less
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Credit for the picture goes to the wonderful Ashton Hayes 🙌🏽
We may move through time and things so quickly, simply because life might move quickly for us (it’s March already, DANG!). Take some time to pause, breathe and reflect on your journey, achievements and moments. You may have already reached several goals or taken actions that really matter and impact on your career and wellbeing, no matter how small. Celebrate, share with someone and enjoy. You deserve it. ❤️👏🏽🙌🏽🚀
#awakecounselling #bemindful #takestockofyourlife #breathe #optimism #happiness #reflection
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The other week I was supporting someone that has had immense trauma and assaults that occurred to them as a child and as an adult so they qualified for free counselling via NSW Victim Services. They however hated the idea of being called a ‘victim’ due to the progress they had made throughout their life.
We used the few sessions they had via work EAP to explore this and to help broaden their view of moving from ‘victim’ to using their own words ‘fighter’. The free counselling they are able to access through NSW Victim Services for the assaults they suffered when young and in adult years is going to help them continue to fight to be a better person and a better human that gets to know and learn their feelings, emotions and responses in a safe environment.
As an Approved Counsellor, I have been humbled to be able to continue to support people, advocate for them and to educate others about this available support.
#awakecounselling #nswvictimservices #nswvs #approvedcounsellor #assaultsurvivor #fighter #childsexualassault #csa #counselling #counsellor ... See MoreSee Less
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