Relationship Focused Counselling & Parenting Education
Hello, I'm Anthony Woodruff - Relationship Focused Counselling Services
My Services
Individual Counselling
I welcome GP referred Medicare rebated clients with a mental health care plan (and private full fee clients on a sliding scale)
Parenting Education Workshops
Workshops for parents. I'm an Accredited 'Tuning in to Kids' Group work facilitator (in-person & online)
Tuning in to Kids ProgramCouples & Family Therapy
Sessions suitable for couples or families, including rainbow families.
Born in Naarm (Melbourne, Australia), I live and work on Bulleke-bek land, the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung name for the area commonly known as Brunswick in Melbourne. I am an accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW) and Counsellor, and have a Masters in Clinical Family Therapy.
With over 20 years experience working in the human services field, my approach to practice is about creating a warm, person centred experience for clients.
My sessions will include getting to know your unique needs as a person and creating a safe and confidential space to work through any issues which bring you to counselling. I welcome your feedback about how we can improve future sessions to better suit your needs
Over the years I have successfully supported clients to make sense of, anxiety & depression, traumatic and life crisis events, difficult family relational problems, current or past grief & loss issues, substance use and addiction education and support to link with more specialist services.
I welcome clients from diverse cultural & ethnic backgrounds, and have experience working with LGBTQI+ folks and rainbow families
My approach to counselling draws from eclectic theoretical models including; Person Centred Counselling, Emotion Focused & Gottman Couples therapy, Narrative & Family therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and TEAM-CBT methods to resolve stuck issues. I strive to be flexible with appointment times and am understanding of peoples busy schedules.
While completing my ‘Masters in Clinical Family Therapy’ (at La Trobe University) I spent 2 years working & studying with individuals & families at The Bouverie Centre
During my time at Bouverie I developed a special interest working with fathers and understanding men’s mental health and support needs in our changing society. Research has revealed that contemporary approaches to parenting strive to be more inclusive of fathers unique roles in raising children. My approach seeks to address these issues through both individual counselling and group work specifically with men and fathers.
I’m an Accredited ‘Tuning In to Kids’ group workfacilitator & trainer.
During 2023/2024 I was a key member of the Movember funded ‘Dads Tuning in to Kids’ facilitator training pilot project with the University of Melbourne’s Mindful Centre and I have regularly delivered these Dads group workshops to parents over the past 10 years.
Please make a time to see me for a 15min consultation to discuss your counselling & support needs
Book nowAbout Me
Education
- Bachelor of Clinical Social Work (University of Qld, St Lucia 2005)
- Masters in Clinical Family Therapy (La Trobe University, Bouverie Centre 2012)
- Level 1 / Qualification in Team (CBT) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (2023-2024)
What motivates me
As a busy working parent with two children, I have a special interest in building parents' healthy family relationships and support networks. I have an interest in intersectional practice, masculinity, and healthcare accessibility.
I support organisations, professionals, and programs to become more Father inclusive in their practice through delivering 'Tuning in to Kids' parenting education group programs to diverse communities, for organisations such as Melbourne City Mission, McKillop Family Services and Salvation Army funded programs.
During 2023/2024 I was a member of the Movember funded 'Dads Tuning in to Kids' facilitator training pilot project with the University of Melbourne's Mindful Centre and I have regularly delivered TIK programs to parents over the past 10 years. I also provide Care-in-Mind counselling services for North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN).
Fees & Session Times
Individual Counselling
Fee rates are guided by AASW recommendations. I strive to keep session rates affordable for clients on lower incomes.
In some cases, Medicare rebates are available for GP referred clients eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (formerly known as Mental Health Care Plan) as part of the Medicare system. Please see your GP to discuss this option.
The plan is available to anyone needing support for a mental health condition and allows you to access subsidised sessions from particular mental health professionals - registered or clinical psychologists, mental health social workers and occupational therapists
Currently my individual counselling sessions run for approximately 60mins @ $150 per hour (please ask about longer session times if required). Unfortunately Medicare rebates are currently unavailable for couples or family therapy sessions.
Session times can be booked at your convenience via the Halaxy booking links below, or negotiated directly with me via email.
In person sessions are held at my Fitzroy North Counselling rooms, 842 Nicholson street. Telehealth sessions are provided via a Teams platform link or by phone.
Following a brief screening phone call to assess your needs, you will be asked to answer some basic intake questions and sign a consent agreement which will be stored confidentially. Please contact me to discuss this process, I'm happy to answer any questions you have before we meet.
Group Programs
Support services can work with me to develop or deliver group work programs to support parents and carers in their parenting journey.
Group session rates are negotiated dependent on service specific needs. Please contact me to learn more about my group work program
Please contact me to discuss further details regarding group sessions.
Book a session