About Me
Introducing Elmarie...
Being real gives Elmarie agency! Elmarie is a warm, compassionate, and approachable person who brings a sense of humour, and a keen insight into human behaviour. Her rich tapestry of life experiences as a wife, mother, friend, social worker, manager, student, and psychotherapist informs her deep understanding of the complexities of the human psyche, particularly in relation to neurodivergence, social isolation, migration, and the adjustment process. Book a consultation to learn more.
Elmarie was born in South Africa, have a distinctive accent, and worked as a social worker for fifteen years, including working with children and families in community and medical settings. Now proudly Australian, Elmarie is familiar with the hardships of loss, social adjustment and belonging.
As an animal lover and nature enthusiast, Elmarie is also an artist and admirer of all things beautiful. She is a staunch advocate for neurodiversity.
Elmarie is of Christian faith and she respects and welcomes working with all religions and denominations.
“I am truly passionate about guiding my clients on a journey of self-discovery. Being part of unlocking a person’s mental wellbeing is a great privilege. As a mental health locksmith, my priorities are to listen to you, respect your inner strength, and help you find the keys within. I am here to listen to your unique story, assist you in uncovering aspects of yourself that you may not have recognized, and inspire you to fully embrace the best version of yourself.”
Elmarie works from the premises of North Canberra Counselling in Turner, in the inner North of Canberra, Australia, where she is one of the two principal partners. North Canberra Counselling offers a space to Elmarie and other like-minded mental health professionals to offer mental health services in person and online to the Canberra community or clients Australia wide.
Contact MeMy Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (Social Work) (UP)
- Master of Counselling (UC)
- Registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Therapeutic approaches
Elmarie Bekker Counselling‘s therapeutic approach is down-to-earth, people-centric, trauma-informed and collaborative.
Elmarie’s theoretical foundations are based on Integrative Family and Systems Theory but she has experience in leading evidence-based theories including:
- Motivational Interviewing
- CBT
- DBT
- Schema Therapy
- Gestalt Therapy
- Existential Therapy
- Transactional Analysis
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Family and Couples Therapy
Are we a good fit?
Building a successful therapeutic relationship relies on the trust established between client and therapist. It is essential for both to feel confident in their ability to engage openly and authentically during vulnerable moments. The right connection between client and counsellor is crucial for achieving positive outcomes. Meaningful progress is not achieved overnight; instead, lasting change typically requires a dedicated engagement of 5 to 10 sessions.
I invite new clients to schedule a complimentary phone or Zoom consultation to determine if I am the right fit for your counselling needs, so please use the contact form here to request your free 15-minute chat.