Ms Phena Buhrich

A conversation with Phena Buhrich

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I was drawn to counselling after many years as a social worker, including time in Brixton (UK) supporting people facing significant social and systemic barriers. Social justice and environmental activism have shaped my values, alongside extensive travel through South-East Asia. I consolidated my skills as a social worker in multidisciplinary psychiatric teams across Sydney, where I saw firsthand how trauma, stigma, poverty, and isolation affect mental health. These experiences — along with my current work at ACON Health — have strengthened my commitment to equitable, trauma-informed care and set the foundations for my therapy practice.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  My work is shaped by trauma-informed practice, social work ethics, systems theory, and a strong social justice lens. I’m influenced by approaches that honour complexity, encourage curiosity, and recognise the impact of systemic barriers on wellbeing. I value open-mindedness, non-judgement, and the belief that people heal through connection, compassion, and understanding their experiences within broader social contexts.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I value social justice and equity and am committed to the principles of consumer self-determination. I hold creative expression as a core value — not just as an outlet, but as a fundamental part of what it means to be human and to heal. Whether through writing, art, music, or simply approaching life with curiosity

• What methods do you use?

  I integrate evidence-based approaches tailored to each client’s needs, including CBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems/Parts Work, psychoeducation, trauma-informed practice, and gender-affirming care. My style is relational, empathetic, and flexible, allowing clients to explore safely while building connections, insight and practical skills.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Everyone's pace is different. Many people begin to feel some relief within the first few sessions, and meaningful progress often becomes noticeable by around 6–12 sessions. For some, 12 sessions is just enough time to build trust, safety, and rapport with a therapist — and that foundation can make it possible to explore deeper concerns over a longer-term basis.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has given me a space to be honest about things I might carry alone for example grief and complicated feelings about family. Having someone outside my day-to-day life listen without judgment has made it possible to actually process those emotions and helped me move forward with my life.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I deeply value the privilege of hearing people’s stories and witnessing their resilience. I aim to build warm, trusting relationships where clients feel safe enough to explore difficult emotions and reconnect with what matters to them. I’m inspired by the courage people bring to therapy and by the shifts that occur when they begin relating to themselves with more compassion. Supporting people through meaningful change is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Yes, definitely. I've learned the importance of connecting with like-minded people, checking in with myself with compassion, and building self-care habits that evolve with each stage of life — that's what helps me stay balanced.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  I'm passionate about social justice, equity, and climate action as a way to reduce the problems we face in the world today, and bring this lens to my therapeutic practice — supporting clients within the broader social and environmental contexts that shape their wellbeing.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  I’m inspired by strong, creative women such as Maya Angelou and Frida Kahlo whose works reflect resilience and authenticity. I also draw inspiration from creative spaces and love the natural materials, connection to the outdoors, and minimalist lines of the modernist Bauhaus movement.