Meet Faith
"I literally come from salt water people. My tribe lives along the coast and children learn to swim before they can walk. When I'm feeling overwhelmed or sad, I call my mother and the first thing she says is, go to the beach Faith, the ocean can heal anything".
Faith Agugu
Psychotherapist, Entrepreneur, Visionary…
I moved to Australia for love over 29 years ago. After losing a much-wanted pregnancy, I fell into a deep depression where I was abusing alcohol to medicate my grief. After committing to rehab and many years of personal development, I discovered that the core of my problem was a belief that I was unlovable and unworthy.
I threw myself into 12-step recovery and worked with a number of spiritual teachers. I also embraced various philosophies and went deeper into my practice of meditation and yoga. Through it all, I came to a place of self-love and self-acceptance.
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I am passionate about guiding others back to a loving place where, with courage, they begin to discover lost hope and gain the strength to put the broken pieces back together again.
When people first come to me, they have a deep sense of hopelessness. I want them to know that even though they have no hope at that moment, my job is to hold onto hope for them until they are strong enough to embody it for themselves.
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My clients describe me as a practical and grounded healer and counsellor. My three-year adventure into a social science degree has impacted my practice, bringing a balance to my naturally intuitive nature. I am passionate about helping my clients to find their inner strength and to integrate it into their work, relationships and passions.
I travel to London twice a year where I run group events, and am also available for one-on-one sessions with London-based clients during this time.
My Approach
Trauma-Informed Care and Practice (TICP) is a strengths-based framework that is sensitive and responsive to the impact of trauma by creating physical, psychological, and emotional safety. It also gives survivors the chance to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.
Using a Trauma-Informed Approach, I can recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma in my clients and integrate this knowledge into their treatment plan. This helps me to ensure that my clients are not re-traumatised during the therapeutic process.
What Motivates Me
As a woman without children, I believe my purpose is to offer support and nurturing to those who have lost their way. I have a fierce belief that everyone has a purpose and that everyone can heal. I do not believe for a moment that I can fix anyone but rather that my role is to walk alongside my clients on their journey to wholeness.
Qualifications & Professional Memberships
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Bachelor of Social Science (BASS), majoring in counselling
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Cert. IV in Training & Assessment
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Approved Victim Services Counselor
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Specialist in addiction counselling
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Accredited Aboriginal Mental Health Assessor
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Qualitative researcher on the mental health impact of racism
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Trauma-informed and strength-based approach
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Member of ACA (the Australian Counselling Association ) Level 2
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Member of International Institute of Complementary Therapists since 2015
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Senior Meditation Teacher of MAA (Meditation Association of Australia) since 2018
Testimonials
Jennifer Nurick
President of the International Energetic Healing Association
Psychotherapist & Energetic Healer
"I have had the pleasure of working with Faith for over 15 years in different capacities. In all of these I have found Faith to be consistently self-reflective, professional, and mature in her approach. Faith lives her work, her work is her vocation and her passion, which is a joy to witness.
Faith is a warm and genuine person, which comes across in her therapy sessions and allows people to feel safe, heard and validated. Faith is well versed in both Western psychotherapeutic techniques and Eastern spiritual practices such as meditation. These provide a solid, healing foundation for her work as a therapist.
I highly recommend Faith as a counsellor and energetic practitioner."
Hawanatu Bangura
Filmmaker & Social Worker
"I met Faith at a time I was facing internal struggles with my life. I was yearning to break away from my negative patterns. I instinctively knew I needed a therapist to guide me through the challenges I wanted to overcome. As a black woman in Australia, I never knew I would have another black woman as a therapist.
Faith was God sent, she understood my struggles and her collaborative approach empowered me to change my negative internal narrative. Over the two years I have known her, I felt she played a major part toward my healing. I have been part of her group Ubuntu Afro Sisters Circle for over a year now. I always look forward to my session with Faith and the other black women in the group.
Faith has created a safe space for us to express ourselves, release our emotions and regain our power. Thank you Faith for being not just a therapist but also an ally in my journey towards enlightenment."
AnJani Amriit
Founder of 'Women With Purpose' and 'Soul on Purpose'
"Faith is a go-getter! What she puts her mind to she achieves. She inspires greatness in everyone she works with. I have had the pleasure of working with Faith on many projects. She is genius at bringing ideas together and creating firm outcomes and strategies. She is also a natural at helping you connect to the people and resources you need for your life and business.
...She genuinely cares and takes great care with those she works with. Thank you Faith for sharing your support and wisdom.