Struggling with aspects of your life? Ever thought of seeing a therapist?
What is Psychotherapy?
Counselling and psychotherapy have many common qualities. Counselling, ACT, Psychologists and CBT most likely focus on a specific problem or a situation a person is wanting to address or struggling with, often working towards a time plan. Psychotherapy is often long term therapy and is more concerned with exploring individual life patterns, their journey so far and walking with them to where they want to go.
Individuals come to therapy for many reasons. Emotional difficulties or life situations can feel overwhelming to deal with without alone, and support is needed. One might struggle in a relationship, life transitions, isolation, poor self-image and gender identity.
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasises personal responsibility, focuses upon the individual's experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship, the environmental and social contexts of a person's life, and the self-regulating adjustments people make as a result of. The goal of Gestalt therapy is to support people to become aware of significant sensations within themselves and their
environment so that they respond fully and reasonably to situations.
The most important goal of Gestalt Therapy is the aim NOT to change a client. The therapist's role is to help clients develop their own self-awareness of how they are in the present moment. ... A focus of
developing awareness is that of clients' awareness of their own realities.
About Waltraud
Growing up in a rural country in Austria has given me a strong sense for improvising and seeing materials out of context. I have found support and healing in art, nature and making from a very early age.
My foundation and beginnings are in Hatmaking. Fabrics show me what they are willing to do, and trust my hands and heart in the exploration of my hats, weaving and canvases. My skill is firmly grounded in traditional millinery techniques, which she deconstructs as she reaches into her imagination. Hat making for me is the art of the HeArT. My art practice has helped me find a way through adversities in my life, conquering depression, an eating disorder and many personal losses. Thus have I come to believe in the healing qualities of creative expression as a way for many people to engage with feelings that can be too painful to speak about. I have travelled for years into rural Australia for years relating to people through Hatmaking. Gestalt therapy also relational and rooted in Germany felt like a natural choice for my training as a Psychotherapist. I do not get shocked about much. “We are all human, “which means we are flawed, and of course unique.” We are art in the making, constantly unfolding.
“I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, And you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it's beautiful.” Fritz Pearl
Waltraud’s workspace is a small treasure in a natural garden setting. To address her own experience of trauma and adversity, Waltraud has learnt the value of analytic therapy. Her lifeline wish has been to enable others to explore their own healing journey. She views this work through a gestalt lens. Waltraud believes that we are all unique works of art in the making. She draws on the sand, play, art and clay, and her dogs when needed. Just as a painter needs to discover the skills to select brushes and paints, so do our psyches need to discover which parts of themselves to shine and polish. Waltraud has a gift to sit with people and join them as they venture into deep dark places of their inner life and shed light on a task that feels hard and impossible to do alone.
She holds an MA in Gestalt Psychotherapy and adheres to the ethics of PACFA. She founded Her private practice in 2019
She lives in Melbourne/ Murrumbeena
Who sees me?
I value working with people from different cultures, age groups, gender identities and sexual orientations, and with a wide range of symptoms including:
depression
anxiety
stress
low self-worth
perfectionism
shame and guilt,
unhealthy anger.
eating disorders
There are some types of clients—for example, children or people experiencing psychosis—who require specialised assistance that I’m not best-placed to offer.
Also, I’m not able to offer a crisis service, which means I’m not on-call in a mental health emergency. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, the number to call (in Australia) is Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Online counselling: I use a telehealth platform called Coviu, which offers the highest security and easy online payment.
Online counselling can be a great option because it offers convenience, but it is not suited to everyone.
How much does it cost?
The standard rate for a 50-minute individual consultation is $140
A sliding scale for people experiencing financial hardship is possible. We can discuss this during the first session.
