valeria paz villegas
DipShiatsu, DipCounselling, BPsychSc, GDipPsych(Adv)
Valeria is a multidisciplinary health practitioner.
I've been a shiatsu practitioner and counsellor for near a decade, working with hundreds of clients. The therapeutic art form of shiatsu helped transform my health, life and relationship to body, mind, energy and emotions and so I give this gift to others.
I have worked professionally in the mental health care sector for humans with complex needs and understand deeply the unprecedented stress and pressure faced by health professionals today. I facilitate trauma-informed care and practice based on what I have experientially learned within my own development.
My formal training includes a weave of traditional eastern energy work within a shiatsu therapy framework, humanistic, transpersonal psychotherapy and somatic therapy (mind-body) focusing on emotions and the process of interoception (the perception of sensations from inside the body). As well, I've a postgraduate framework of western psychological science with a focus on the biopsychosocial model of care. I have an integrative approach to individual wellbeing. I appreciate and value story, authenticity, kindness, mutual respect. and getting to the heart of things to facilitate authentic personal growth.
I recently co-authored a health psychology study on conventional and complementary treatment use and satisfaction in Australian women with endometriosis published in the Internal Medicine Journal.
I was born in Chile, and grew up in Melbourne. I am fascinated by culture and diversity. I love nature and the outdoors, yoga, muay thai and writing and am curiously passionate about traditional methods of healing and culture.
I have worked professionally in the mental health care sector for humans with complex needs and understand deeply the unprecedented stress and pressure faced by health professionals today. I facilitate trauma-informed care and practice based on what I have experientially learned within my own development.
My formal training includes a weave of traditional eastern energy work within a shiatsu therapy framework, humanistic, transpersonal psychotherapy and somatic therapy (mind-body) focusing on emotions and the process of interoception (the perception of sensations from inside the body). As well, I've a postgraduate framework of western psychological science with a focus on the biopsychosocial model of care. I have an integrative approach to individual wellbeing. I appreciate and value story, authenticity, kindness, mutual respect. and getting to the heart of things to facilitate authentic personal growth.
I recently co-authored a health psychology study on conventional and complementary treatment use and satisfaction in Australian women with endometriosis published in the Internal Medicine Journal.
I was born in Chile, and grew up in Melbourne. I am fascinated by culture and diversity. I love nature and the outdoors, yoga, muay thai and writing and am curiously passionate about traditional methods of healing and culture.
Practice.
Shiatsu is now available at Alchemy in Bellingen, NSW. Book with the clinic.
I offer online psychotherapeutic consults via Zoom. Contact me for more info.
My areas of special interest include supporting issues of depression, anxiety and stress, chronic pain and "invisible" illnesses, fatigue, emotional and physical trauma, as well as disability. I love assisting in processes of self-empowerment and actualization as well as connection to spirit and place, as well as many facets of women’s health. My work is intersectional and inclusive.
Beyond intervention and counselling, I also offer care planning and potential referral pathways towards appropriate mainstream and integrated care beyond the scope of my private therapy practice.
I offer online psychotherapeutic consults via Zoom. Contact me for more info.
My areas of special interest include supporting issues of depression, anxiety and stress, chronic pain and "invisible" illnesses, fatigue, emotional and physical trauma, as well as disability. I love assisting in processes of self-empowerment and actualization as well as connection to spirit and place, as well as many facets of women’s health. My work is intersectional and inclusive.
Beyond intervention and counselling, I also offer care planning and potential referral pathways towards appropriate mainstream and integrated care beyond the scope of my private therapy practice.
Training.
Diploma of Shiatsu & Oriental Therapies, Australian Shiatsu College
Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling, The Phoenix Institute
Bachelor of Psychological Science, Deakin University
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), Deakin University
In my life I have sought aid and guidance from teachers and holders of traditional knowledge of my own lineages in my native South America, Asia, and here in Australia. I've been the recipient of tremendous kindness and ceremony and I've learned many wonderful things from plants, land, people and ritual in the regions of my ancestry. I have had exceptional teachers and mentors.
Bill Palmer - Movement Shiatsu, Trauma & Disability
Cliff Andrews - Advanced Shiatsu Energy Work, Stress & Trauma, Anxiety & Depression
Master Ohashi - The Ohashi Method
Mentored by Australian curandero Simon Green, whose ongoing support, teachings, patience and curative skill has over several years been a boon to my life.
Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling, The Phoenix Institute
Bachelor of Psychological Science, Deakin University
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), Deakin University
In my life I have sought aid and guidance from teachers and holders of traditional knowledge of my own lineages in my native South America, Asia, and here in Australia. I've been the recipient of tremendous kindness and ceremony and I've learned many wonderful things from plants, land, people and ritual in the regions of my ancestry. I have had exceptional teachers and mentors.
Bill Palmer - Movement Shiatsu, Trauma & Disability
Cliff Andrews - Advanced Shiatsu Energy Work, Stress & Trauma, Anxiety & Depression
Master Ohashi - The Ohashi Method
Mentored by Australian curandero Simon Green, whose ongoing support, teachings, patience and curative skill has over several years been a boon to my life.