Tanaya Durge
Brisbane,Australia
Summary
Compassionate and values-driven counseling professional with experience across community-based, social work, as well as educational settings.
Committed to delivering culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and person-centered care to individuals and families navigating complex challenges, including violence, mental health concerns, identity exploration, and marginalization. Skilled in integrating diverse therapeutic modalities to support healing, resilience, and self-determination.
Grounded in authenticity, empathy, and a deep respect for the counseling profession, I am passionate about creating inclusive, empowering spaces where clients of all abilities and backgrounds feel seen, safe, and supported. Eager to contribute to meaningful, socially just work while continuously learning and evolving my practice within a dynamic workplace.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Response and Connection Practitioner
DVConnect
Milton, QLD
03.2025 - Current
- Supported clients impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV) through intake assessments, collaborative safety planning, and short-term therapeutic interventions, using a trauma- and empowerment-informed approach.
- Contributed to intake triage and prioritization processes, balancing clinical judgment with risk indicators and client needs.
- Built rapport with clients through empathic, non-judgmental engagement, fostering a sense of safety, agency, and trust in therapeutic interactions.
- Providing supportive and culturally safe spaces for diverse groups, including First Nations peoples, individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with a diagnosed disability, and members of the LGBTQI+ community.
- Demonstrated strong written communication skills through accurate case notes, safety plans, and risk documentation, aligned with organizational policy.
- Collaborated with internal and external services to facilitate wraparound support for clients navigating DFSV and systemic barriers.
- Participated in reflective practice, clinical supervision, and team debriefs to strengthen therapeutic insight and enhance service delivery.
Student Counsellor (On-Site)
UnitingCare Community
Ipswich, Australia
02.2024 - 10.2024
- Delivered high-quality, trauma-informed counseling to children, adolescents, and adult clients experiencing a range of complex issues, including domestic violence, sexual assault, grief and loss, and relationship breakdowns — with sensitivity to neurodiverse needs and cognitive processing styles.
- Supported clients to explore safety, justice options, and personal recovery pathways while navigating complex interpersonal and systemic challenges.
- Managed a caseload of 4–5 clients per day, offering short- to medium-term counseling, and facilitating planned and therapeutic terminations where appropriate.
- Integrated diverse and creative therapeutic tools tailored to each client's cognitive and emotional needs, including whiteboard visuals, chair work, symbol cards, sand tray, expressive arts, letter writing, genograms, and role-play techniques.
- Engaged in regular reflective practice, practice-based supervision, and peer discussions to critically develop counseling skills, with a focus on trauma, gendered violence, and disability-inclusive approaches.
- Completed comprehensive case notes, reports, and session documentation efficiently and in accordance with organizational policy.
- Actively contributed to community engagement by promoting UnitingCare’s counseling services at the Ipswich District Family Court, advocating for accessible therapeutic support, and raising awareness around violence and abuse.
Student Counsellor (On-Site)
Counsellor Connect, UQ St. Lucia Campus
Brisbane, Australia
07.2024 - 10.2024
- Delivered face-to-face, telephone, and video-based counseling to 3–4 university students per placement day, supporting clients with academic stress, anxiety, depression, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and crisis situations.
- Provided tailored support to neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD and Autism Spectrum presentations, by adapting communication, pacing, and interventions to align with their unique cognitive and emotional processing needs.
- Applied person-centered, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirming frameworks to build trust, foster self-awareness, and collaboratively develop practical coping strategies.
- I employed reflective listening, PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy), and creative modalities where appropriate to support client-led exploration and meaning-making.
- Maintained detailed and ethically sound case notes in accordance with confidentiality and professional standards.
- Actively engaged in supervision and feedback sessions, integrating reflective insights to continually refine counseling techniques, case conceptualization, and goal setting in alignment with best practices.
Counselling Intern (Remote)
Counsel India
Delhi, India
09.2021 - 11.2021
- Contributing to an organization dedicated to providing mental health support and counseling services to a diverse clientele.
- Gained theoretical and practical knowledge about essential counseling skills, ethics in counseling, as well as the application of various therapies, techniques, theories, and tests.
- Actively engaged in and participated in case discussions, case history taking, and mental status examinations, along with client records management.
- Developed proficiency in counseling techniques and interventions, ensuring effective and culturally sensitive client support, contributing to positive outcomes for a diverse client population.
- Collaborated effectively with the agency's team, demonstrating strong communication skills, and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary framework to deliver high-quality counseling services.
Community Volunteer
MV Ayodhya
Nagpur, India
04.2020 - 06.2020
- Company Overview: Covid Relief initiative by RSS
- Successfully provided over-the-phone support and guidance to 50+ individuals in need during the breakout of Covid-19 pandemic
- Demonstrated a deep commitment to compassionate counseling skills when delivering vital information regarding the possible treatment options and availability of services while providing emotional support during such challenging times
- Covid Relief initiative by RSS
Community Volunteer
Tarang Foundation
Nagpur, India
02.2017 - 03.2019
- Contributed to the planning and delivery of inclusive, strengths-based initiatives for children and adolescents (ages 7–18) living in orphanages and out-of-home care settings, many of whom had experienced trauma, instability, or developmental challenges.
- Co-facilitated mentorship programs, life skills workshops, and recreational activities that promoted safety, creativity, and psychosocial growth through a trauma-informed and relational lens.
- Prioritized accessibility and emotional safety, creating nurturing spaces where young people of diverse cognitive and emotional profiles could feel seen, supported, and empowered to engage at their own pace.
- Developed strong interpersonal and attuned engagement skills, with a particular focus on building rapport with neurodivergent and trauma-impacted youth through respectful, playful, and consistent connection.
- Supported participants' autonomy and voice by encouraging collaborative participation and decision-making in activities, fostering self-confidence, and belonging.
Education
Master of Counselling -
The University of Queensland
Brisbane, QLD12.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Major
University of Mumbai
Mumbai, Maharashtra02.2023
Skills
Trauma-Informed and Person-Centered Counseling
Disability-inclusive and neuro-affirming practice
Tailored Therapeutic Interventions
Culturally safe and inclusive engagement
Crisis intervention and client advocacy
Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
Reflective Practice and Professional Ethics
Certification
M.A.C.A Level 2, Australian Counselling Association
Internships and courses
- Counselling Internship, Counsel India, 09/21, 10/21
- Child Psychology credit Course, Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, 05/21, 12/21
- Clinical Psychology Course, Psymphony, 05/21, 06/21
- Neuropsychology certification course, Psych Corner, 06/20, 07/20
Awards
Dean's Commendation for Academic Excellence, 12/24
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Response and Connection Practitioner
DVConnect
03.2025 - Current
Student Counsellor (On-Site)
Counsellor Connect, UQ St. Lucia Campus
07.2024 - 10.2024
Student Counsellor (On-Site)
UnitingCare Community
02.2024 - 10.2024
Counselling Intern (Remote)
Counsel India
09.2021 - 11.2021
Community Volunteer
MV Ayodhya
04.2020 - 06.2020
Community Volunteer
Tarang Foundation
02.2017 - 03.2019
Master of Counselling -
The University of Queensland
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Major
University of Mumbai
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