Hello, I’m Biliana Dearly
I work as a counsellor and psychotherapist, senior lecturer and supervisor in Melbourne, Australia.
I have a real passion for engaging in deep and caring conversations, offering empowering methods of exploring the wholeness of human experience and sharing all I have learned in my quest for living a balanced and Soulful life.
I have been curious about and have explored many self-awareness and healing methods throughout my whole life. After traversing the midlife crisis, undergoing a major life transition, migrating to Australia, and changing my career, I embarked on a life-long journey of studying counselling and psychotherapy. During this time, I came across the Focusing process and Eugene Gendlin’s work. Gendlin’s Process Model, existential and phenomenological Philosophy of Implicit, and experiential approach to therapy have had a crucial influence on me. I experienced the transformative power of the Focusing process as a self-awareness practice and deeply healing therapeutic method that leads to profound and lasting change.
I completed a Master of Counselling at La Trobe University in Melbourne, specialising in Emotion-Focused Therapy. In parallel, I have done many years of training with various Focusing teachers and continually practised Focusing as my own self-awareness and healing process. I was certified by The International Focusing Institute in New York as a Focusing-Oriented Therapist, Focusing Trainer, and a Certifying Coordinator.
My extensive clinical experience covers a wide range of problems, including working with anxiety, depression, other complex mental health and addiction problems, psychotropic medication dependence, life transitions, traumas, and relationship difficulties. My professional interests include the development of therapeutic presence and the influence of the therapist-as-a-person, the process of change and empowerment in psychotherapy and transformational teaching practices. You can find more about my holistic counselling and psychotherapy approach here.
Beyond my qualifications and training, I have the courage to continue exploring the depths of the human psyche, stay open in ‘not knowing’, say what I learned, and be vulnerable and touched by the pain of the other. I have a passion for whole-heartedly engaging in creating connections within and between people. My rich life experience, deep empathy, compassion, congruence, warmth, and love of life inspire people involved in their healing journey and assist them in creating well-being and meaningful life. My capacity for compassion, deep connection, and insight results from my inner work, relational work, and many years of continual practice of Focusing.
Qualifications
Master of Counselling and Human Services - LaTrobe University, Melbourne
Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling - Phoenix Institute, Melbourne
Certificate in Supervision - Centre for Supervision Training, UK
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - AIET, Melbourne
Certified Focusing-Oriented Therapist - The International Focusing Institute, New York
Certified Focusing Trainer - The International Focusing Institute, New York
Certifying Coordinator for The International Focusing Institute, New York
Professional Training & Interests
Focusing-Oriented Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Transpersonal Psychology
Jungian Depth Psychology
Clinical Supervision
Professional Affiliation
Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists – Registered Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Clinical Member of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Accredited Supervisor with PACFA
Member of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Member of the International Association of Focusing-Oriented Therapists
Teaching & Group Facilitaitons
Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy Program coordination, curriculum development and lecturing at the Cairnmillar Institute in Melbourne, Australia
Curriculum development and lecturing at Phoenix Institute of Australia - taught Experiential Focusing, Ethics and Professional Practice, Foundations of Mental Health and Counselling Skills in the Bachelor of Holistic Counselling, and Advanced Diploma in Transpersonal Counselling and Art Therapy courses
Developing and ongoing teaching Focusing Training programs:
- Focusing Course - “Discovering Your Body Intelligence”
- FOT Certification Program - “Focusing-Oriented Therapy: A Compassionate Path to Radical Change”
Conference Presentations
“Emotions in therapy: a troublesome variable or a powerful agent for lasting change – EFT perspective” at 8th National Anxiety and Depression Conference Brave worlds: Innovations in Clinical Practice, Melbourne, October 2015
“Restoring the wholeness of being: Working with trauma from Focusing-Oriented Therapy perspective” at PACFA national conference “Working with trauma”, Sydney, February 2019
“Therapist’s felt sense as a catalyst for change” at the International FOT conference, New York, October 2020 (delivered online)
Transforming Inner Criticism in the Process of Focusing-oriented Therapy. Conference presentation and workshop at the International FOT Conference, New York, November 2023
Teaching the Essence of FOT to a New Generation. Panel presentation at the International FOT Conference, New York, November 2023
