- Carl Rogers
Toni Leemen
Counsellor, Hakomi Therapist
Toni Leemen Counselling and Psychotherapy
Leichhardt, Sydney NSW 2040
In Person + Telehealth
Philosophy & Vision
I believe meaningful change doesn't come from trying harder or judging ourselves more harshly. It comes from slowing down enough to understand ourselves with kindness. When we bring mindful awareness to our experience, new choices often become possible.
I work with the psychological impact of health issues on identity formation, life transitions and overall wellbeing and I help people find safety in themselves again.
My approach is warm, collaborative and grounded in mindful somatic awareness, helping people reconnect with their own resilience and self-acceptance.
You don't need to have everything figured out before you begin. You come simply as you are. Together we will explore how you have survived, how you might thrive and how you can reconnect with yourself and the people who matter most.
Background
I have public sector and corporate experience and understand the pressures individuals can experience in these environments.
I am an accredited mental health first aid practitioner and Lifeline crisis support volunteer.
My private practice recognises the lack of support available to people living with chronic illness, recent diagnoses and the sense of shock, isolation and grief that can arise as unexpected and unwelcome life events arise.
Without support these can become entrenched as anxiety, depression or burnout. I work to create a sense of safety with clients that allows slow exploration that can untangle symptoms, feelings, thoughts and hopeful possibilities.
Services
I support adults experiencing health anxiety, stress, burnout, perfectionism and major life changes.
Quality Provision
I am working towards Hakomi Certification and practice with regular clinical supervision.
Areas of Interest
Accreditations
- Master Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy - 2022 - Torrens University
- Hakomi Graduate - 2026 - Hakomi Institute Australia
Modalities
Buddhist Psychotherapy - Experiential - Hakomi - Interpersonal - Mindfulness
Therapy Approach
My approach is collaborative, gentle and tailored to your needs. I work at a pace that feels manageable for you, creating a respectful and compassionate space where we can become curious about your experience together. Alongside counselling, my work is strongly informed by Hakomi, a mindfulness-based somatic approach to psychotherapy. “Somatic” means we include the body and hold that there is no separation between mind and body. This approach meets health-related difficulties directly. Rather than trying to “fix” you, we explore your experience with curiosity, allowing new understanding and lasting change to emerge naturally.
Professional Associations
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Practice Locations
96 Norton Street
Leichhardt NSW 2040
Appointments
Face-to-face: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Telehealth: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Fees & Insurance
You can book a free, 15-minute conversation with me via the fees and appointments page on my website.
My standard fee is $175
Contact Toni
Please contact me to book a 15 minute free initial consult
A conversation with Toni Leemen
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I wanted to be the person I needed at 17, when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
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After exploring many approaches and philosophies, I have found a natural home in Hakomi - mindful somatic psychotherapy. It offers a truly collaborative approach. One way this is described is "assisted self-study". For me, this recognises that the client is the expert in their experience.
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Unblocking our innate capacity to grow and change
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My work is strongly informed by Hakomi, a gentle, mindfulness-based approach to psychotherapy. I focus on present-moment experience to help you study what is happening in both your body and mind. When your concerns involve health, stress, anxiety or significant life changes, it can be helpful to slow things down and develop a deeper understanding of how symptoms, feelings, bodily sensations, thoughts and habitual responses interact.
Together, we bring mindful awareness to these experiences, creating opportunities for insight, healing and meaningful change. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we explore the underlying patterns, beliefs and experiences that may be shaping how you relate to yourself, others and the challenges you face. I aim to offer a warm, respectful and collaborative space where you can reconnect with your strengths and move forward with greater confidence and ease. -
I recommend a review after six weeks, so that we can check-in on progress and the green shoots of change that might be appearing out in the real world.
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Therapy gave me a renewed sense of hope and purpose as I resolved trauma from a difficult life experience at 17 - leading me to want to help others in this way.
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It is an honour and privilege to do this work.
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I saw Ben 'Imana at the Sydney Film Festival recently. Inspiring in every respect - how the film was made and the story it told.