Astans Kaviya
I am committed to ongoing learning and professional development to provide compassionate, ethical, and evidence-based support.
I am a professional member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Qualifications
- Master of Counselling
- Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies for Health Professionals
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116)
Behind the Practice
Our Story
Anchored Space Counselling Service was created from a deep passion for helping people feel seen, heard, and supported through life’s challenges.
As someone from a multicultural and diverse background, I understand that seeking support is not always easy. Cultural expectations, family pressures, past experiences, and feeling misunderstood can all create barriers to reaching out. I recognise how important it is to feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood in the counselling process.
My goal is to help close that gap by creating a warm, trustworthy, and non-judgemental space where individuals from all walks of life feel comfortable to share their story and begin their healing journey.
Our approach is grounded in person-centred care, strengths-based practice, and trauma-informed principles. I believe every person holds inner strength, resilience, and the capacity for growth, even during difficult seasons
I am a Registered Nurse and a Mental health professional with over a decade of experience across community mental health, acute care, and child and adolescent mental health services. My work has involved supporting children, adolescents, and their families across diverse clinical and community settings, providing assessment, intervention, and collaborative care.
Anchored Space is also shaped by my experience as both a mental health professional and a mother, deepening my understanding of emotional connection, family dynamics, and the importance of supportive relationships in healing.
At Anchored Space, my focus is to provide a steady, supportive therapeutic environment where clients can explore their experiences safely, build awareness, and move toward meaningful and sustainable change.
With over a decade of experience working in community mental health, crisis intervention, and acute care, I have supported adolescents, adults, and families across a range of settings.
Anchored Space is grounded in compassion, hope, and respect. This is always offered in a client-led and respectful way, and the service remains inclusive of all beliefs, cultures, and worldviews.
My Experience
At Anchored Space, my approach is grounded in compassion, connection, and creating a safe space where people feel genuinely heard. With more than 10 years of experience working in community mental health, I have supported individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional distress, grief, psychosis, addiction, and life challenges.
My professional background includes working across acute mental health, rehabilitation, crisis response, and continuing care within community mental health services. This experience has strengthened my ability to support people during overwhelming and vulnerable moments while remaining calm, compassionate, and person-centred.
I have extensive experience in:
- Emotional support and therapeutic communication
- Crisis intervention and suicide risk assessment
- Trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care
- Mental health assessment and collaborative care planning
- Supporting individuals and families through difficult life experiences
- Creating safe, non-judgmental spaces for healing and reflection
Modalities / Therapy Approaches
I draw on an integrative, client-centred approach using evidence-based and therapies, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness-based approaches
- Polyvagal-informed practice
- Somatic approaches
My counselling approach values the importance of trust, empathy, and human connection. I believe meaningful change often begins when people feel safe enough to share their story without fear of judgment. I work from a strengths-based perspective, supporting people to reconnect with hope, resilience, and their own inner capacity for growth.
Alongside my professional experience, my personal journey as a mother, mental health clinician, and counselling student has deepened my understanding of the importance of self-care, emotional wellbeing, and authentic connection.
Our Values
Anchored Space Counselling Service is grounded in the following core values:
- Compassion
A warm, empathetic, and non-judgemental space where individuals feel safe to share their experiences. - Respect
Honouring each person’s story, culture, identity, and lived experience. - Strengths & Hope
Believing every person holds unique strengths and inner resources, and supporting them to reconnect with hope. - Empowerment
Supporting individuals to build confidence, develop skills, and reconnect with their inner strengths. - Safety
Prioritising emotional, psychological, and relational safety at all times. - Connection
Recognising that healing happens through authentic and meaningful therapeutic relationships. - Cultural Sensitivity
Practising with awareness and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. - Integrity
Working with honesty, professionalism, and strong ethical foundations.
Helpful Resources for Healing & Wellbeing
Healing looks different for everyone. Sometimes support can come through books, podcasts, websites, grounding practices, or simply learning that you are not alone. Below are a few gentle and supportive resources that may help you on your journey toward emotional wellbeing, self-understanding, and connection.
Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
- Beyond Blue — Support, information, and resources for anxiety, depression, and emotional wellbeing.
- Lifeline Australia — Crisis support, self-help tools, and emotional support services.
- Black Dog Institute — Evidence-based information on mental health, resilience, and wellbeing.
- SANE Australia — Resources and support for complex mental health challenges and trauma.
Trauma & Healing
- Blue Knot Foundation — Support and education for trauma, childhood trauma, and recovery.
- The Body Keeps the Score — A powerful book exploring how trauma impacts the mind and body.
- What Happened to You? — A compassionate look at trauma, behaviour, and healing.
Self-Compassion & Personal Growth
- The Gifts of Imperfection — Encourages self-acceptance, vulnerability, and courage.
- Self-Compassion — Gentle guidance on treating yourself with kindness during difficult moments.
- Atomic Habits — Practical support for creating small, meaningful life changes.
Mindfulness & Grounding
- Smiling Mind — Free mindfulness and meditation programs for all ages.
- Insight Timer — Guided meditations, sleep support, and calming practices.
- Spending time in nature, gardening, gentle movement, journalling, prayer, or quiet reflection can also support emotional healing and reconnection.
Crisis & Immediate Support
If you are in crisis or need immediate support:
- Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service
- Call 000 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Book A Free 15 Minute Consultation
A supportive space to ask questions and explore how counselling may help.
Your Experience
What Clients Can Expect
From the very first session, the focus is on creating a space where individuals feel safe, supported, and heard. Sessions are guided by compassion, trust, and collaboration — with support tailored to each person’s unique needs and experiences.
Safe & Supportive Space
A calm, respectful, and non-judgemental environment where your story matters.
Client-Led Approach
Support that moves at your pace, guided by your goals, needs, and comfort.
Inclusive & Culturally Sensitive
Respectful support for individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
Trauma-Informed Care
Prioritising emotional safety, trust, empowerment, and meaningful connection.
Trusted by Clients
Rated 5 Stars on Google Reviews
"Astans provided a safe, grounded space for my teenager during a highly anxious school year. Her background as a nurse and counselor shines through."
"Incredibly inclusive and respectful. As someone from a non-religious background, I felt deeply heard and respected by Astans at Anchored Space."
"Her dual clinical expertise in acute care and child mental health brought a level of safety and competence our family desperately needed."
"Anchored Space lives up to its name. Astans balances deep clinical assessment with genuine compassion. Highly recommend her services."
"We appreciate her gentle, values-based approach. She understands family dynamics beautifully, likely because she is a mother herself."
"Professional, deeply collaborative, and fully registered with ACA/AHPRA. It gave me total peace of mind for our adolescent care."
"Astans provided a safe, grounded space for my teenager during a highly anxious school year. Her background as a nurse and counselor shines through."
"Incredibly inclusive and respectful. As someone from a non-religious background, I felt deeply heard and respected by Astans at Anchored Space."
"Her dual clinical expertise in acute care and child mental health brought a level of safety and competence our family desperately needed."
"Anchored Space lives up to its name. Astans balances deep clinical assessment with genuine compassion. Highly recommend her services."
"We appreciate her gentle, values-based approach. She understands family dynamics beautifully, likely because she is a mother herself."
"Professional, deeply collaborative, and fully registered with ACA/AHPRA. It gave me total peace of mind for our adolescent care."
"The integrated Christian perspective offered a layer of hope that was missing from other therapeutic approaches I have tried before."
"Over a decade of clinical background shows in her assessments. Astans is a phenomenal counselor and clinical ally."
"Finding an ACA and AHPRA registered professional with actual community mental health experience changed everything for my child."
"So culturally respectful and inclusive. Her interventions are collaborative, leaving our entire family feeling empowered."
"Compassionate and structurally structured care. The space is warm, and the strategies offered are thoroughly practical."
"Astans brings an authentic heart to counseling. Her experience across acute and adolescent services makes her highly skilled."
"The integrated Christian perspective offered a layer of hope that was missing from other therapeutic approaches I have tried before."
"Over a decade of clinical background shows in her assessments. Astans is a phenomenal counselor and clinical ally."
"Finding an ACA and AHPRA registered professional with actual community mental health experience changed everything for my child."
"So culturally respectful and inclusive. Her interventions are collaborative, leaving our entire family feeling empowered."
"Compassionate and structurally structured care. The space is warm, and the strategies offered are thoroughly practical."
"Astans brings an authentic heart to counseling. Her experience across acute and adolescent services makes her highly skilled."
"Outstanding care. The respect for worldview differences combined with an option for Christian counseling was exactly what we needed."
"Being a mother herself, Astans connected deeply with our family struggles. We felt valued and expertly guided throughout."
"Her strategic approach to child and adolescent care helped lower our household stress drastically within weeks."
"Deeply compassionate, professional, and ethical. Highly safe and recommended space for anyone seeking real therapeutic growth."
"Exceptional services tailored perfectly for adolescent dynamics. Anchored Space is a vital community asset."
"Her grounding in clinical nurse practices brings an extra layer of confidence to the therapeutic process. 5 stars."
"Outstanding care. The respect for worldview differences combined with an option for Christian counseling was exactly what we needed."
"Being a mother herself, Astans connected deeply with our family struggles. We felt valued and expertly guided throughout."
"Her strategic approach to child and adolescent care helped lower our household stress drastically within weeks."
"Deeply compassionate, professional, and ethical. Highly safe and recommended space for anyone seeking real therapeutic growth."
"Exceptional services tailored perfectly for adolescent dynamics. Anchored Space is a vital community asset."
"Her grounding in clinical nurse practices brings an extra layer of confidence to the therapeutic process. 5 stars."