Helen Rowden

About Me

I’m Helen, a Counselling Psychologist with over two decades of clinical experience across the UK and Australia. I am passionate about creating a safe, inclusive, and non-judgemental space where people feel genuinely heard, respected, and supported.

I work collaboratively with my clients to explore their experiences, build insight and awareness, and develop practical strategies to navigate life’s challenges. My approach is grounded in evidence-based therapies and guided by curiosity, warmth, and a deep respect for each person’s unique story and strengths.

I have extensive experience supporting complex and diverse needs, including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, burnout, and grief and loss. I have worked in health psychology settings, helping people adjust to long-term health conditions.

I have a particular passion for working with women who are experiencing peri- and menopausal challenges, as well as perinatal and postnatal wellbeing. I also have significant experience and passion for working with LGBTQ+ communities, and I am committed to providing an affirming space and support.

I have worked across a range of community health and workplace settings, supporting people in high-pressure roles such as emergency services and frontline workforces. I have also worked in clinical management for many years and enjoy supporting women in leadership roles, offering a space to reflect, manage stress and burnout, and navigate the unique challenges that can come with these positions.

I moved from London 12 years ago and now live in Sydney. Outside work, I’m a mum of two teenagers and I love music, scuba diving, stand-up comedy, exploring new foods, and travelling whenever I can.

Presentations

I specialise in working with a wide range people, including:

• Adults and Young Adults: Managing anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-confidence, assertiveness and life transitions
• Women in the perimenopause and menopause stage: Perimenopause and menopause bring big changes—hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep struggles—but you don’t have to face them alone. As a psychologist who’s going through this now, I help women navigate this transition with practical strategies, emotional support, and a sense of confidence in their next chapter.
• Women in the perinatal period: Guiding women through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood—addressing anxiety, birth trauma, and postpartum mood challenges with compassion and practical support.
• LGBTQ+ Individuals: Supporting LGBTQ+ communities through identity exploration, coming out, relationship challenges and helping people embrace resilience, pride, authenticity and to thrive in their personal connections.
• Grief and loss: Supporting people through grief and loss—from bereavement, relationship breakdowns, job loss or ambiguous loss, such as caring for a loved one facing illness or injury – helping them navigate grief, honour their loss, and rebuild resilience.
• Families: Parenting challenges, family dynamics, and conflict resolution
• Alcohol and other drug issues: Supporting people who want to address challenging alcohol or drug use, whether their goal is harm reduction, moderation, or abstinence.
• People Facing Life Transitions: Supporting people through life transitions—whether it’s a career shift, relocation, personal growth, or adapting to physical health change.

Therapies

I employ evidence-based approaches tailored to everyone’s unique needs. Some of the therapies I use include:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages acceptance of thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with personal values.
• Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Cultivates present-moment awareness and non-judgmental attention to reduce stress and improve well-being.
• Schema Therapy: Identifies and changes deep-rooted patterns or “schemas” formed in childhood that affect current behaviour and relationships.
• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT): Focuses on practical solutions and building strengths rather than focusing on problems or past causes.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps recognise and change negative thought patterns to respond more effectively to challenges.

Qualifications

• Masters (MSc) Counselling Psychology, London Guildhall University, United Kingdom, 2000
• Postgraduate Practitioner Diploma in Counselling Psychology, London Guildhall University, United Kingdom, 2002
• PPostgraduate Conversion Diploma in Psycholgy, London Guildhall University, United Kingdom, 2002

Helen is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Registration number: PSY0001983935.