Meet Katarina Linder
Each month we spotlight an ACA member in the ACA Monthly Bulletin, our monthly newsletter. The Member Spotlight is designed to showcase the work of our members to you! We hope their stories inspire or spark interest. Let’s share our experiences within our counselling community.
What motivated you to pursue a career in counselling?
I have a background as a Registered Nurse and Child Protection and I love both, however, I was struggling working under layers of bureaucracy. My interest in pursuing counselling began at least 10 years ago after reading about a person having a death doula business (Palliative Care was my first love in Nursing). I wanted to set up a similar business but with counselling as a wraparound service. While working full time, I began studying part time in 2017 and completed a graduate diploma in 2019 so that I could register as a Counsellor. I completed my Masters in 2021 and have now reached Level 4. The end-of-life business didn’t take off as fast as I wanted, and I needed a dramatic change in my life. I had always wanted to work remotely so in 2021, I packed up my life in NSW and moved to Ngukurr, NT (southeast Arnhem Land) and worked as a Counsellor in the remote Aboriginal community. I have grown so much from the experience and new relationships that have been life altering but I did leave the community a few months later. In 2022, I set up my own business in a suburb on the outskirts of Darwin as a generalist (trauma focus) Counsellor providing services for all age groups.
What specific areas do you primarily work within?
I have a background as a Registered Nurse and Child Protection and I love both, however, I was struggling working under layers of bureaucracy. My interest in pursuing counselling began at least 10 years ago after reading about a person having a death doula business (Palliative Care was my first love in Nursing). I wanted to set up a similar business but with counselling as a wraparound service. While working full time, I began studying part time in 2017 and completed a graduate diploma in 2019 so that I could register as a Counsellor. I completed my Masters in 2021 and have now reached Level 4. The end-of-life business didn’t take off as fast as I wanted, and I needed a dramatic change in my life. I had always wanted to work remotely so in 2021, I packed up my life in NSW and moved to Ngukurr, NT (southeast Arnhem Land) and worked as a Counsellor in the remote Aboriginal community. I have grown so much from the experience and new relationships that have been life altering but I did leave the community a few months later. In 2022, I set up my own business in a suburb on the outskirts of Darwin as a generalist (trauma focus) Counsellor providing services for all age groups.
Can you share a recent success or achievement in your counselling work that you're proud of?
I have completed the advanced training in EMDR which fits well within my focus of trauma and the impact on the nervous system. I am also developing the Clinical Supervision side of my business and my experience within an Aboriginal community and having some broad knowledge about Aboriginal culture and the impact of colonisation seems to be helpful.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a counsellor for you?
I feel a sense of hope for my clients when they can come to some understanding of their trauma, grief and/or stress and how to manage it in their own lives. When I say manage, I mean the impact on the nervous system and what steps they can take towards healing including understanding their own inner biology.
The relationships with my new Aboriginal family have taught me many new skills one of which is yarning. I believe that learning how to yarn (as opposed to having a chat) has made me a better Counsellor. I have considered writing a piece about this concept …. So perhaps there will be an article in a future ACA publication!
How do you contribute to the betterment of the profession and your community?
I run training sessions on counselling for Aboriginal people recognising that there are significant cultural differences and counselling should reflect and respect those differences. My premise is that in white society, when we teach humanity-based subjects, culture seems to be tacked on the end but with Aboriginal people, culture should be considered first and this changes the counselling process.
I run training sessions in workplaces on topics such as workplace stress, resilience and peer support. I also go out to communities and workplaces for critical incidents across NT.
Are there any projects or initiatives you're currently involved in?
How many hats can I wear? I would love to support Aboriginal people to become trained Counsellors in their own communities so any ideas on how to turn this into a project – I’m all ears! Tracey Westermann is an Aboriginal Psychologist in WA and through her foundation ‘Jilya Institute’ she sponsors Aboriginal people to study and train as Psychologists to live and work in their own communities – such inspiring work and her research is compelling.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in counselling/psychotherapy?
First, sort out your own ‘stuff’ in your life – your own trauma issues can inform or impede your work depending on how you have dealt or not dealt with it. Other than that – go for it, learn as much as you can, read broadly (it’s important to have a broad range of knowledge and current issues to be able to build rapport with clients) and see where the journey takes you! I certainly didn’t plan a life in NT with my new partner exploring operating my own business (more than one!) and thoroughly enjoying my counselling profession.
Is there a quote or philosophy that inspires your work?
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”
The jury is out whether it was Albert Einstein or Rita May Brown who said this, but it works for me.
Open question - tell anything that was not asked in the previous questions?
In the future, my partner and I are planning on setting up a self-sufficient off grid lifestyle so we’re growing a food garden and experimenting with 12v electricity to run fridges and water pumps – the fun continues!
