Alicia Adam (They/She)

Founder - Psychotherapist and Counsellor

Hi, my name is Alicia (They/ She) and I’m the founder of Powerfully Human. I’m a Psychotherapist and Counsellor registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). With 7+ years’ experience working within the mental health field, I interweave my creativity, life experience and knowledge of psychotherapy, mental health, and wellbeing into my therapeutic practices. Outside of Powerfully Human I explore and create performance art, I’m a mover, a writer and knowledge seeker. I’m curious about conceptualisations of the human experience outside those of the Western world, and drawn to health practices that view the human experience as complex and balanced. I’m inspired by big feelings and I harness them to create art, create spaces and make choices.

I gained my Bachelor of Psychology before my Masters of Psychotherapy and Counselling. Throughout my time in the mental health field, I have worked as a school counsellor, a case manager in both youth homelessness services and out of home care services. While most recently working for four years as a youth counsellor at headspace. My therapeutic work is heavily influenced by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT values your humanness and teaches you how to embrace yourself as a whole to increase self-awareness and teach conscious choice making in order to improve your wellbeing.

I have begun developing my understanding of therapy, mental health and well-being through a lens that centres liberation by first acknowledging the health consequences of an oppressive system on the individual and their connection to community. This journey is on going as I unpick my own connection to the system and build my understanding of my place within it to reshape my perspective of therapy and therapeutic work. Through my work in Powerfully Human I aim to create safe spaces for people to retreat to and learn within. I hope the space enhances their capacity to truly thrive on their own terms, within a system that demonstrates “thriving” within limits and only when rules and steps are followed.

I created Powerfully Human as a vessel to transmute my passions and values of empowerment, safety, wellbeing, feeling big and living bold into an infinitely growing service that holds space for being human.

My aim is to partner with you on your journey so I can share knowledge, and guide you toward your values and purpose. I can help you manage feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. I provide support while navigating grief and loss, connection to self and others, exploration of identity, and nurturing self-esteem.

It is important to me that I bring my authenticity, passion, and creativity into all that I share so I can help you align with yours. Let’s design a life that empowers you and feeds your wellbeing.

I welcome those from all walks of life to shamelessly indulge in this safe space that is Powerfully Human. My lived experience inspires my work with those within the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC individuals and those identify as neurodivergent.

What am I curious about?

  • The use of mediation in communication with the central nervous system (CNS).

  • How the CNS affects mood and emotions in day to day life.

  • Attachment theory and how attachment affects relationship dynamic and health.

  • The power of movement and self expression in releasing trapped energy (trauma) in the body.

  • The effect self worth has on our quality of life and wellbeing.

  • The importance of empowerment and embodiment in our healing journeys

  • The diversity and cyclic nature of the “healing journey” and working with people to immerse and thrive within their journey in their own way.

  • The pains, passions and power of being in human in all our forms! I enjoy exploring our humanity from diverse perspectives to deepen my understanding of thinking and feeling through life.

  • I am passionate about the mind and body connection and in the importance of holistic care of self.

  • I strive to connect LGBTQI+ and BIPOC people within the health industry

Qualifications and Training

  • Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy (PACFA registered)

  • Bachelor of Psychology

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training with Russ Harris

  • Relate and Reflect Therapy Model training

  • Safe Side risk assessment training

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training