Kat O'Mara, therapist and founder of Safe Space Counselling Services, sitting in a chair, offering a welcoming and professional presence.
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About me

My work supporting people affected by domestic abuse, family violence, and sexual violence has profoundly shaped who I am as a counsellor.

I began my career in the UK as a police and court interpreter, where I met people who were experiencing abuse. While this role gave me an intimate understanding of the justice process, it also revealed its limitations. I couldn't offer the ongoing emotional support that those who truly needed it..

That realisation became a turning point. Determined to make a deeper impact, I retrained as a domestic and sexual abuse specialist, working directly with people leaving relationships marked by coercive control and violence. Over the years, I supported clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, including those affected by honour-based violence, forced marriage, and human trafficking.

Through this work, I witnessed something powerful: how trauma-informed counselling grounded in understanding, compassion, and safety can help survivors rebuild their sense of self after abuse.

In 2021, I relocated to Melbourne, Australia, and completed a Master of Counselling to deepen my clinical practice. Today, I specialise in:

  • Domestic abuse and family violence recovery

  • Trauma-informed therapy for survivors of complex trauma

  • Supporting women as they rebuild safety, trust, and self-worth after abuse

Every day, I am inspired by the courage and resilience of the people I work with. It is a privilege to walk beside them as they rediscover their strength, reclaim their voice, and rebuild a sense of peace in their lives.

  • King’s College London / Bachelor of Russian and German / 2000 / UK

    University of Surrey / Masters of Translation and Interpreting / 2001 / UK

    Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors / Masters of Counselling / 2023 / Australia

  • Registered Domestic Abuse Prevention Advocate / Women’s Aid / UK 2017

    Independent Sexual Violence Advisor / The Survivors Trust / UK 2019

    Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk / Zero Suicide Institute / 2022

    Trauma-Focused ACT / 2022

    Trauma-Informed Certificate / 2022

    Mastering the Craft of Treating Trauma: Four Core Skills / 2022

    Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice / Awareness Psychology Clinic / 2022

    Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) to Transform Trauma and Self-Harm / Sue Johnson / 2022

    Trauma and Self-Harm: Increase Safety with a New Approach to Cutting, Bingeing, and Addictive Behaviors Summit / 2022

    ACT for Grief and Loss / 2023

    ACT for Depression and Anxiety Disorders / 2023

    EFT Attachment Science in Practice / 2023

    Recognising and Responding to Sexual Violence / RMIT / 2023

    The Three-Phased Approach To Treating Trauma Training / Blue Knot Foundation / 2023

    Healing from Sexual Trauma: Using the Therapeutic Alliance with Adult Survivors to Uncover Childhood Sexual Abuse, Release the Past, and Build Resilience /2024

    Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC) Training with Dr. Ramani Durvasula / 2024

    Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) for Attachment Trauma: Transforming Psychological Wounds for Adult Clients Traumatized as Children /2024

    MARAM Collaborative Practice Training / Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS) and Collaborative Risk Assessment and Risk Management / 2025

    Complex Trauma certificate level 1 and 2 (Janine Fisher) / 2025

    Attachment-Led Theory and Practice in Parental Alienation (Intermediary Level) / 2025

    • Person Centred

    • Trauma-Informed ACT

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

    • Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)

  • Australian Counselling Association - Level 2

    The Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists

    Blue Knot Foundation

    Volunteer at Griefline