Antonius DeVries

My counsel is like my ethnicity - not 'pure', but a happy mix of very different aspects which complement each other.
I expand structured DBT sessions to also allow space for open-ended introspection; whilst existential analyses also includes specific behavioural activation.

I also offer nature therapy, in which we replace the sitting on the therapy couch with walking in the forest.

• Human connection:
As per the scientific evidence, I prioritise the therapist-client relationship. It doesn't matter who you are — you will be welcomed.
I offer a free first session, so we can check our fit and both agree before committing to any long-term plans.

• Human dignity:
I continue my long history in human rights advocacy into counselling by upholding the dignity of the suffering individual.
Psychiatric diagnoses are not fatalistic curses, they're just clinical working tools.
Some clients found it hard to accept, but my counsel really is (as best anyone can) free of judgement.

• Universal values below societal culture:
As a travelling rogue I collect a wealth of insight from ancient authors and remote cultures — perspectives that go beyond my mainstream Western education.
The more angles from which we can view a problem, the closer we get to the true picture.

- A reduced rate (discount) is available, for war-affected and low-income earners.
- Sessions are conducted in-person at my practice, or online via video call.
- Audio-only and text sessions are also available upon request

Experience working with:
• mood disorders—anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder (manic-depression)
• addictions and rehabilitation (alcohol, internet, gaming, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, etc)
• borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• self-care, mindfulness
• stress, burn-out
• motivation and focus, habit change, self-improvement, self-sabotage
• grief
• victims of bullying
• self-harm, suicidal intentions
• low self-esteem, assertiveness
• migrant and refugee integration
• school drop-out
• partners of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)
• trauma and PTSD

I've trained and worked in:
• client-centred therapy (Carl Rogers)
• group therapy (Irvin Yalom; Marsha Linehan)
• DBT
• mindfulness and meditation (MBSR; Buddhist Kagyü; autogenic training; etc)
• existential therapy
• Non-Violent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg)
• hypnotherapy
• art therapy
• addictions—prevention and rehabilitation (including internet/phone/gaming addiction)
• Schema therapy
• CBT
In practice, I only use what's useful. And sometimes what a client really needs isn’t on this list.

since 2013 (seasonal), youth camp counsellor and camp lead
since 2019, owner of Deep Victory Counselling & Education
2022 Addictions Counsellor at AWO (Arbeiterwohlfahrt e. V.)
2020 Counsellor at Oz Counselling
2019 Clinician at Melbourne DBT Center
2018 Resident Intern Psychologist at Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre
2017 Assistance at JugendHilfe e.V. Addictions Centre
2016 Researcher at Brain & Developmental Neuroscience research group, Universität Hamburg
2014 Researcher at "KoKu" Research Centre for Cognitive and Cultural Development, Universität Hamburg
2011 Campaign Lead for Refugees at Amnesty International Australia

M.Sc. Psyc, Universität Hamburg
B.Sc. with Honours in Psyc, University of New England
Grad.Dip. Soc Sci, University of New England
B.Sc. Comp Sci, University of New England