Sydney Counselling Collective Logo

Welcome!

we're here to help

We are a growing team of Counsellors and Psychotherapists working across multiple inner Sydney locations.

Our therapists work with both individuals and couples.

Each therapist has their own style of engagement. Still, we are unified in our approach as client-centred therapists, offering a safe and empathetic space to explore your inner world without judgement.

Whether you have a specific issue you need support with, or you want a better understanding of yourself to create a more fulfilling or meaningful life, our therapists can support you.

How Can We Help?

Our licensed therapists offer in-person, zoom or phone sessions. Our areas of speciality include:

Individual Therapy

Couples Therapy

Meet the Team

A portrait image of Portia

PORTIA THOMSON

Counsellor and Psychotherapist

Portia has an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from a range of modalities, including person-centred therapy, CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) narrative, existential and psychodynamic therapy. The psychodynamic approach guides the work with her clients to explore the influence of past experiences and understand how unresolved conflicts may be contributing to struggles in the present moment.

She utilises the principles of John Gottman’s approach to support her work with couples as they try to repair conflict, overcome betrayals and re-establish safety and connection.

“Relationships are a primary focus of my work. I use attachment theory and observe how the quality of our attachments made when we are young can show up in our romantic relationships as adults. Looking through this lens can help us make sense of relationship dysfunction, co-dependency, difficulty with boundaries and low self-esteem.”

A portrait image of Adriana

ADRIANA NARAI

Counsellor and Psychotherapist

Adriana uses a person-centred, exploratory approach to counselling that integrates modalities such as emotionally focused therapy and internal family systems therapy as she guides her clients along their unique paths to healing.

“I work in a relaxed and open way that focuses on providing empathy, safety, and non-judgmental acceptance to all my clients so that you can hopefully feel comfortable and supported, no matter what comes up in session.

In my experience as a counsellor, I have found that one aspect of counselling that has been transformational for many has been educating them about the nervous system and our emotions. By facilitating this safe exploration of their inner world, I have found that my clients can be helped to develop the skills necessary to manage or resolve challenges in their lives and relationships. I take pride in helping my clients learn how to better understand and communicate their needs with the same level of empathy and compassion that I offer them in the room.”

A portrait image of Candy Elstein

CANDY ELSTEIN

Counsellor and Psychotherapist

Candy is a counsellor and psychotherapist who walks alongside her clients with genuine care and curiosity. She draws on a range of therapeutic modalities, including person-centred therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, attachment-based therapy and narrative therapy to offer personalised, evidence-based support tailored to each individual’s unique needs. She believes healing begins in a space where people feel safe, seen, and understood.

Candy supports clients in exploring their personal and unique experiences, working through emotional challenges, and facilitating healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Whether navigating anxiety, grief, relationship difficulties, or having a sense of being stuck, she offers steady guidance to foster growth and transformation.

Candy brings not only clinical knowledge but also lived experience to her work. She is passionate about helping clients manage life’s transitions, build self-trust and move forward with a sense of purpose, greater clarity and self-worth.

“I see therapy as a collaborative journey. With empathy, curiosity, and deep respect, I support clients in making sense of their life stories. No two people are the same, so I adapt my approach to align with each client’s individual journey and therapeutic goals.

My aim is to build a therapeutic relationship grounded in openness and acceptance, where difficult emotions can be explored, patterns understood, and a deeper connection to self can emerge”.