Meet Josie Plahn-Vairy

Founder | Trauma-Informed Counsellor | ACA Level 4 Registered Counsellor

I have always believed that people are far more than the difficult experiences they have lived through.

Throughout my career, I have been drawn to supporting people whose sense of safety, identity or connection has been disrupted by trauma. Whether working with victims of crime, individuals recovering from domestic and family violence, survivors of sexual assault, young people, or parents navigating the impact of developmental trauma within their families, my passion has remained the same—to help people reconnect with themselves and move forward with greater insight, embodied safety and a strengthened sense of self.

My counselling is grounded in the understanding that trauma affects far more than our thoughts. It influences the nervous system, relationships, emotions, the body, and often the way we experience the spaces around us. For this reason, I take an integrative approach that considers the whole person—mind, body and environment—recognising that meaningful healing happens when these areas are supported together.

I have a particular interest in helping parents and caregivers understand children's behaviour through a trauma-informed and attachment-based lens. By strengthening connection, emotional regulation and felt safety within families, I believe lasting change becomes possible not only for children, but for the people who care for them.

Above all, I strive to create a counselling experience that feels calm, collaborative and grounded. My hope is that every person who walks through my door feels respected, understood and empowered to move towards a life that feels safer and more connected.

Qualifications & Professional Memberships

With over 9 years of full-time therapeutic counselling experience, Josie brings extensive professional knowledge and experience supporting individuals, children, young people and families navigating trauma, domestic and family violence, sexual assault, emotional wellbeing and complex life challenges.

Josie holds Level 4 registration with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), reflecting an advanced level of professional recognition based on counselling qualifications, extensive clinical experience, supervised practice and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Master of Psychotherapy & Counselling (completing)

• Bachelor of Counselling

• Diploma of Counselling

• Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment & Training

Specialist Training & Therapeutic Approaches

• Blue Knot Foundation — Trauma-Informed Practice, Levels 1 & 2

• Complex Trauma & Attachment in Children

• ARC Framework — Attachment, Regulation & Competency

• Domestic & Family Violence and Sexual Assault

• Animal-Assisted Therapy

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Motivational Interviewing (MI)

• Attachment-informed and developmental trauma approaches

Professional Registration & Accreditation

• ACA Level 4 Registered Counsellor — Australian Counselling Association (Member No. 18236)

• NSW Victims Services Approved Counsellor — Accreditation No. A4526

What does ACA Level 4 registration mean?

Level 4 is the highest practising registration level within the Australian Counselling Association's four-level registration framework.

It recognises experienced counsellors who have demonstrated substantial professional counselling practice, completed recognised qualifications and met professional supervision requirements.

Registered counsellors must also maintain ongoing professional development, clinical supervision and adherence to the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice.

For clients, this provides reassurance that their counsellor is experienced, professionally accountable and committed to safe, ethical and evidence-informed therapeutic practice.

Therapeutic Approach

My work integrates a range of evidence-informed approaches, including trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, the ARC Framework (Attachment, Regulation & Competency), Polyvagal Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), mindfulness, psychoeducation, and somatic and sensory grounding techniques.

Every person brings a unique story. My role is to provide a safe, supportive space where healing can process at your pace, with practical daily tools and compassionate guidance every step of the way.