My Story: Why I Founded Harris Counselling

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I founded Harris Counselling because I’ve always believed that relationships are the heartbeat of our wellbeing. Over more than 27 years in practice, I’ve had the privilege of supporting people through moments of vulnerability, growth, and reconnection — in youth services, community programs, specialist counselling, and family therapy. I wanted to create a space where people could feel safe to explore their emotions and rebuild the bonds that matter most.

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My journey began with a Bachelor of Human Services and Youth Affairs at Victoria University, followed by a Human Services Counselling degree at Swinburne. Later, I completed an Honours degree in Social Work at Monash University and a Master of Family Therapy through La Trobe University’s Bouverie Centre. Each step deepened my understanding of how relationships shape our lives — and how healing happens when we feel seen, heard, and supported.

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Before establishing my private practice, I worked in senior clinical and leadership roles, including as Clinical Supervisor and Practice Specialist at Relationships Australia. I now manage clinical services at Relationship Matters while continuing to operate Harris Counselling from Malvern and Fitzroy. My work is grounded in experiential and emotion‑focused approaches — methods that help people tune into their emotional experience and reconnect with themselves and each other.

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In 2007, I completed intensive postgraduate training with Dr Judith Ayre and helped establish the Centre for Emotion Focused Practice in Toorak the following year. Later, I trained through the Brisbane Centre for EFT and became certified by ICEEFT as an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist. These experiences shaped not only my clinical approach but also my philosophy: that therapy should be collaborative, compassionate, and deeply human.

 

My professional life has always been intertwined with my personal one. I’m fortunate to share life with my wife, whose warmth and insight continually remind me of the power of empathy and partnership. Together, we’ve raised two wonderful children — a son and a daughter — who keep me grounded and remind me daily of the importance of connection, laughter, and patience. The lessons I learn at home often echo in my work: that love is not about perfection, but about presence and repair.

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I founded Harris Counselling to offer a place where individuals, couples, and families can find support that honours both their emotional and relational worlds. Every session is guided by the belief that change happens through connection — and that with the right support, people can rediscover the strength and love that already exist within them.

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I warmly welcome you to Harris Counselling,

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