Louis Chalouhi
I’ll give you a safe room to be heard and walk beside you toward a life that feels calm.
I’m Louis Chalouhi, a counsellor with a Master’s in Counselling and decades of experience in healthcare and mental health care. I support individuals, couples, families and teens with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationships and more, using CBT, DBT, ACT, Compassion-Focused Therapy and Somatic Therapy. We can meet in person in Bella Vista, Liverpool or the Inner West, or online, across Australia and overseas.
What people wonder before that first call.
Starting counselling takes courage, and it’s natural to have questions first. Here’s how I work with the ones I hear most.
How I work with it: you can start exactly where you are. In our early sessions we explore what’s going on in depth, at a pace that feels right for you, and build a clear, supportive plan together.
How I work with it: reaching out is a strength. You get steady support and practical skills from approaches like DBT, ACT and CBT, so you feel more grounded and more in control of what comes next.
How I work with it: appointments run Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 7pm, in person in Bella Vista, Liverpool or the Inner West, or online by Zoom or phone, so counselling fits around your life.
How I work with it: you don’t need to have all the answers or know exactly what you want to achieve. Counselling is a collaborative process where we explore your challenges, identify your strengths and develop practical strategies that work for you. Sometimes, the smallest step can lead to meaningful change. You don’t have to commit to changing your whole life, only to taking the first step towards understanding yourself better.
How I work with it: counselling is your space, and you decide what you’re comfortable sharing. There’s no pressure to discuss anything before you’re ready. My approach is supportive, respectful and non-judgemental, allowing trust and confidence to develop naturally. You don’t have to share your whole story to begin making positive changes.
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, trauma, addiction or simply feeling overwhelmed, reaching out can be the beginning of meaningful change.
Sometimes, the most important step isn’t knowing where you’re going. It’s giving yourself permission to begin.
ACT, DBT, CFT, EFT, COUPLES THERAPY, SOMATIC, TRAUMA-INFORMED, GRIEF AND LOSS, SHAME AND GUILT
One counsellor, your whole story.
I focus on your story: your strengths, struggles, hopes and values. I see individuals, couples, families and groups, from children through to older adults, using a range of therapies and modalities, from CBT, DBT and ACT to Compassion-Focused, Emotionally Focused and Somatic Therapy. These are the areas people ask about most, and I support people with much more besides.
Individual counselling
Couples counselling
Anxiety, depression and stress
Trauma, PTSD and complex PTSD
Grief and loss
Children, teens and families
Addiction
All counselling services
4 steps, each one at your pace.
A free 15-minute call
Call me or send a message. We talk briefly about what’s happening and whether working together feels right for you.
Choose how we meet
In person in Bella Vista, Liverpool or the Inner West, or online by Zoom or phone, Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 7pm.
Explore and make a plan
In our early sessions we explore your concerns in depth and develop a clear, supportive plan to guide your healing.
Build skills as you go
We use approaches like CBT, DBT, ACT, Compassion-Focused Therapy and Somatic Therapy to shift unhelpful patterns, and adjust the plan as you grow.
The science behind talking therapy.
This short video from The Open University explains how talking with a trained counsellor helps people make sense of what’s happening and practise new ways of responding.
Where people often are when they first get in touch.
You’re welcome to reach out from wherever you are right now. Working out what’s going on is part of what we do together.
Mind racing at night, chest tight before work.
Understanding the anxiety cycle, then grounding skills you can use straight away.
Everything feels heavy, and the things you used to enjoy feel flat.
A gentle look at what’s weighing on you, and a plan built on small, steady steps.
Drinking more than you’d like, and wanting that to change.
A non-judgemental look at your patterns and what you want instead.
Losses adding up, and it’s getting harder to talk about.
A confidential space to talk it through, with practical strategies and support.
Someone important has died, and life hasn’t caught up.
Room to grieve at your own pace, and support to carry the loss forward.
Separation, infidelity or constant conflict at home.
Making sense of what’s happened, and what you need now.
Family dynamics leaving you anxious, drained or on edge.
Exploring the patterns and finding steadier ground within them.
A big transition, and you’re working out who you are in it.
Clarifying your values and moving forward with intention.
Questions people ask first.
Is the first conversation free?
Yes. I offer a free 15-minute consultation, so you can ask questions and see whether working together feels right.
What if I’m not sure my problems are serious enough for counselling?
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. Sometimes it’s about feeling overwhelmed, improving relationships, building confidence or simply wanting to understand yourself better. Counselling provides a supportive space to explore your concerns, develop practical strategies and make positive changes before challenges become more difficult to manage.
How will I know if counselling is right for me?
The relationship between you and your counsellor is an important part of the therapeutic process. My approach is warm, collaborative and non-judgemental, combining professional experience with evidence-based therapies tailored to your needs. There’s no pressure or obligation to commit. Your free 15-minute consultation is an opportunity to ask questions, explore what you need and decide whether we’re the right fit. Sometimes, one conversation is all it takes to begin moving forward.
What if I’ve tried counselling before and it didn’t help?
Every counselling experience is different, and what didn’t work before doesn’t mean counselling can’t help you now. I combine evidence-based therapies with a personalised, practical approach that considers your experiences, strengths and goals. Together, we’ll explore what hasn’t worked, what you need now and how we can approach things differently. A different approach can open the door to new possibilities.
What can counselling help me achieve?
Counselling is more than talking about problems. It’s about gaining insight, building emotional resilience, improving relationships and developing practical skills to navigate life’s challenges. Whether you want to manage anxiety, overcome difficult experiences, rebuild confidence or make meaningful changes, we’ll work towards goals that matter to you. You may not be able to change everything around you, but you can change how you understand, respond to and move through life’s challenges.
How much does a session cost?
Session fees depend on the type of counselling, so I’ll talk you through them in your free 15-minute call, before you book anything. Some private health funds pay part of the fee, depending on your cover.
Do I need a GP referral or a mental health care plan?
No. My practice is independent of Medicare, so you can book directly, with no referral or mental health care plan needed.
Can I see you online?
Yes. I see clients in person in Bella Vista, Liverpool and the Inner West, and online by Zoom or phone, so you can meet with me from anywhere in Australia or overseas.
When are sessions available?
Appointments run Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 7pm, subject to availability. The days at each room vary, so I’ll confirm the day and place when you book.
What approaches do you use?
I’ve completed specialist training in ACT, DBT, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Somatic Therapy, trauma-informed therapy, grief and loss counselling, and shame and guilt counselling. I also draw on CBT, and combine these approaches to suit your needs and goals, within a warm, practical and person-centred way of working.
Who do you work with?
I see individuals, couples, families and groups, from children and teens through to adults and older adults.
What are your qualifications?
I hold a Master’s in Counselling, and I’m a Level 2 member of the Australian Counselling Association (R85075) and a member of PACFA (21037). I’ve completed Levels 1 and 2 of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy training through the Gottman Institute, and I’m a qualified clinical hypnotherapist. I bring decades of experience in healthcare and mental health care, combining my nursing background with my counselling qualifications.
BELLA VISTA, LIVERPOOL, INNER WEST AND ONLINE
Let’s talk.
I bring decades of experience in healthcare and mental health care, combining my nursing background with professional counselling qualifications and therapeutic expertise to provide compassionate, evidence-informed and person-centred care. I’m also trained as a clinical hypnotherapist. You’ll work with me directly, from the first 15-minute call onwards. Call, or send a message below, and we’ll take the next step at a pace that feels right for you.
“If you’re finding things heavy or difficult to manage, you don’t have to carry it alone.”