Tricia Conlin Counsellor

Counsellor Tricia Conlin is an Aboriginal woman born on Boandik Country in the South East of South Australia, now living on Kaurna Country, with family connection through her grandfather to Kokatha/Wirangu Country. Culture sits at the heart of how she understands people, relationships and wellbeing. Tricia holds a Master of Counselling (Torrens University), a Graduate Diploma of Community Sector Management, a Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Health Counselling) and a Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Studies), alongside qualifications in community mediation and nursing, training in Narrative Therapy, and an ACA-recognised Certificate of Attainment in Individual and Group Supervision. Her career spans counselling, supervision, group work, health, community services and family support, working alongside Aboriginal individuals, children, young people, families and communities through a wide range of personal, family and social challenges. Her practice is person-centred, trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive. She believes each person is the expert in their own life, and works collaboratively to build a safe, respectful space to explore experiences, recognise strengths and pursue goals that matter to the individual. Informed by attachment theory and an understanding of trauma, intergenerational trauma, grief and loss, she draws on a blend of person-centred, cognitive behavioural, mindfulness-based and narrative approaches, adapted to each person's needs and circumstances. Cultural safety is central to Tricia's practice, with family, community, Country and identity valued as sources of strength and connection. She's mindful that a person's trust in services can be shaped by past experiences of racism or disadvantage, and that every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, family and community carries its own distinct story. For Tricia, “Healing isn't about deciding what someone's journey should look like - it's about walking alongside them.” It’s a process that unfolds at each person’s own pace, as they reconnect with their strengths, identity and hopes. Through BilaEmpower, Tricia loves working within a collective of First Nations practitioners, sharing knowledge and experience while contributing to culturally grounded wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families.