Anna Amhrose

BsocSc (Children and Family Studies); TAA

Children's Counsellor

Child Youth Family

Over 15 years, Anna has gained experience working with children, young people and their families in a range of settings, including community based agencies, the domestic/family violence field and private practice. She has been employed as a Family Advisor and Children's Counsellor at the Joondalup Family Relationship Centre and as a Children's Counsellor at the Patricia Giles Centre Children's Counsellling Centre.

Anna has worked on a sessional basis at Edith Cowan University. She has developed and facilitated therapeutic group programmes for women, parents and children and is currently working on developing on-line health and well-being programmes. Anna has delivered training to professionals in Melbourne and Perth in the areas of child-inclusive family dispute resolution and working with children/adolescents who have experienced domestic/family violence. She has completed Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is using these skills to design and deliver seminars and workshops within the community.

Anna's understanding of child/adolescent psychology and family dynamics has developed through her experience of working therapeutically with children, adolescents and families. Individual support and family therapy is provided to support parents and families with building on their strengths, parenting skills and with creating positive relationships. The concepts and approaches of 'Triple P' (Positive Parenting Programme) are also drawn upon.

Anna's area of specialty include:

• Working with children and youth (ages 3 - 15 years)
• Promoting positive self-esteem
• Developing social skills
• Child and adolescent depression
• Trauma
• Anxiety
• School and cyber bullying
• Promoting emotional resilience
• Anger management
• Developing play skills
• Addressing the impact of domestic/family violence
• Grief and loss
• Family separation
• Promoting secure attachment relationships
• Parenting issues (such as behaviour management strategies, developmental information, developing positive relationships, conflict resolution)
• Developing appropriate boundaries
• Child-inclusive family dispute resolution
• Mindfulness and stress management

Anna employs a range of tools in supporting children and young people with processing issues and building self-esteem and positive relationships with their peers, families, school and community. This includes age appropriate and child-centred counselling techniques involving tools such as play therapy, expressive therapies and art therapy. Her training and understanding of child and adolescent psychology provides a solid foundation for working with children and adolescents in ways that are meaningful to them. Anna's work is characterised by creating trusting, warm and safe relationships where children and adolescents feel accepted, listened to and can gain a sense of mastery over the issues or experiences in their lives. She is also experienced in working in partnership with significant others in children's lives, including parents, siblings and schools. When working with parents Anna employs a strengths based approach and draws on Humanist and Behaviourist approaches to guiding children's behaviour.

Anna has written an article on boundaries that is available on this website.

In 2011 Anna will be conducting workshops on a range of topics for families and professionals throughout the metropolitan area. If you are interested in attending or arranging training, please feel welcome to contact Anna for further information.

Professional Membership
The Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

Telephone: 0424 980 878
Email:

Anna Amhrose
Mt Lawley Counselling Centre
13 Alvan Street
Mt Lawley WA 6050