Jen Vellios

Registered Psychologist & Sexologist

I am a down-to-earth, non-judgmental, and warm therapist who views your vulnerabilities and deep emotions as strengths. I work with you to embrace and appreciate your inner world, recognising that every person who enters my therapy space has a unique story. I feel privileged to create a safe environment where you can explore, reflect, and grow.

My approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, and integrative, drawing on multiple modalities to tailor each session to your unique needs. I focus on your experience rather than clinical diagnoses, avoiding generic handouts or workbooks. If structured work between sessions is needed, it will be thoughtfully customised just for you.

I believe in a collaborative approach to therapy, valuing your insights to empower lasting change. Laughter is often heard in my therapy space, as I see humour as a vital tool in the healing process, helping to lighten difficult moments and remind us that even in our darkest times, there is room for joy and resilience.

I would love to work with you to embrace your inner world with curiosity, compassion, and a touch of laughter.

So glad you’re here!

Jen’s areas of interest:

In our sessions, I focus on creating a warm and accepting space where you can freely explore your thoughts and feelings. Together, we’ll work to build your inner strength, heal past wounds, and guide you towards becoming the person you truly want to be.

  • Anxiety & Depression

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Healing from Past Hurts

  • Sexual Wellness

  • Boundary Setting

  • Trauma (including childhood and adult trauma)

  • Stress and Burnout

  • Relationship Issues

  • Family of Origin Understanding

  • Life Re-evaluation and Direction

  • Workplace Stress

  • LGBTQIA+ Support

  • Vaginismus

  • Sexual Health/Sexology

  • Abortion Counselling (pre & post)

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

My Approach to therapy

I offer a person-centred, trauma-informed and integrative approach to therapy.  I draw upon multiple modalities, tailoring each session to your specific needs. I believe in a collaborative approach to therapy, where your insights guide our work together. This partnership empowers you to make lasting, meaningful changes. Healing can be challenging, but I believe that laughter and joy are vital tools in the process, helping us find light even in the darkest moments.

Qualifications & Experience

Education: 

  • Bachelor of Psychology 

  • Master of Sexology 

  • Master of Psychology 

  • Master’s Thesis: ‘An Exploration of Women's Experience of Sexual Pain’

Certifications: 

  • EMDR Therapist Training (Level 1 & 2)

Areas of Interest

Gabriella de Mori's beautiful office with aesthetic touch

  • Healing from past hurts is essential for embracing your authentic self. This process involves acknowledging and processing painful experiences, helping you transform your pain into wisdom and strength. This healing fosters resilience and self-compassion and means you can move forward with confidence – building healthier relationships and living more authentically.

  • Emotional regulation, insight, and mindfulness are important parts of living with greater intention and awareness. These skills allow you to manage stress, enhance relationships, and respond to life's challenges with balance and purpose. Together, we'll explore how to pause, reflect, and choose your responses, fostering emotional intelligence and resilience. Through our sessions, you'll gain a deeper connection with yourself, leading to a more fulfilling and intentional life.

  • Cultivating self-compassion helps to nurture emotional resilience and self-worth. This involves treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a loved one. In therapy, you'll learn to challenge your inner critic and replace negative self-talk with supportive, gentle affirmations. Embracing self-compassion allows you to navigate life's challenges with confidence and grace, enhancing your well-being and strengthening your capacity for empathy and connection. 

  • Learning to create and maintain boundaries is vital for your mental and emotional well-being. Boundaries help you define personal limits and communicate them with others. While introducing boundaries can be challenging (especially if you're used to putting others first), it ultimately nurtures healthy, respectful relationships and prevents burnout. Through our work together, you'll learn to establish boundaries that protect your well-being and foster more balanced connections. And you’ll feel more empowered and confident in honouring your own needs and values.

  • Sexual wellness is a vital aspect of your overall well-being, involving physical, emotional, and relational health. Together, we'll explore your unique sexual narratives, dismantle societal norms that create shame, and foster a healthier relationship with your sexual self. Prioritising sexual wellness empowers you to experience pleasure and intimacy in ways that are respectful and fulfilling. Our work will contribute to a balanced, satisfying life where you feel confident in your desires and boundaries.

  • Sex is not meant to be painful. Vaginismus can be a deeply distressing and isolating condition, involving the involuntary tightening of the vaginal muscles that makes penetration painful or impossible. My therapeutic approach to addressing vaginismus is person-centered, trauma-informed, and integrative. Drawing on multiple modalities, I create a supportive and safe space, ensuring each session is uniquely suited to your needs and experiences. This personalised approach fosters trust, encourages emotional healing, and gently guides you toward reclaiming comfort and connection in your body.

“With five years of experience across community-based mental health services, sexual health clinics, and private practice, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse array of mental health challenges. This journey has enriched my understanding and deepened my commitment to supporting individuals through their unique emotional landscapes.”

- Jen

Work with Jen

Jen hosts sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Cottesloe or online and Fridays (online only). Please note Jen is not a couples counsellor but sees individual clients.