Rate Ronnella Onyeajum

Level 4 Registered Counsellor & Supervisor | Trauma & Mental Health Specialist | Indigenous Healing & Empowerment Advocate

Experience & Expertise

I am a credentialed and highly experienced mental health professional with 25 years of practice in Australia. As a Level 4 Registered Counsellor and Supervisor, I have worked extensively with individuals, couples, and families across diverse settings, including mental health services, trauma recovery programs, Indigenous and non-Indigenous community initiatives, addiction recovery, youth intervention programs, and domestic violence advocacy. My expertise lies in supporting clients through stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, loss, family conflict, abuse, and major life transitions.

I co-founded Yura Care Australia, a culturally responsive counselling service dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening families, and fostering community well-being. My experience extends to clinical supervision, professional mentoring, and leadership in social health teams, ensuring that mental health practitioners are well-supported in delivering high-quality, ethical, and compassionate care.

Education & Credentials

Master of Narrative Therapy & Community Work – University of Melbourne

Level 4 Registered Counsellor & Clinical Supervisor – Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

Extensive Training in:

Narrative Therapy

Trauma-Informed Care

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention

Drug & Alcohol Counselling

Family & Domestic Violence Counselling

Grief, Loss, & Bereavement Support

Therapeutic Approach

I take a holistic, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approach to therapy. My practice is deeply influenced by Narrative Therapy, which honors each person’s lived experiences and reframes challenges as separate from their identity. By helping clients rewrite their stories in ways that reflect their resilience, values, and strengths, I empower them to regain self-determination, healing, and a sense of purpose.

My approach is not limited to:

Trauma Recovery & Healing – Supporting individuals through past and present trauma with compassion and evidence-based techniques.

Culturally Safe Counselling – Creating a therapeutic space that respects cultural identity, traditions, and lived experiences.

Empowerment & Self-Determination – Encouraging clients to reclaim agency over their lives and decisions.

Strengths-Based & Solution-Focused Therapy – Helping clients recognize their capabilities and move forward with confidence.

Grief & Loss Support – Providing a safe space for processing emotions and finding meaning beyond loss.

Mental Health & Emotional Well-being – Offering tools and strategies to navigate stress, anxiety, depression, and self-doubt.

Supervision & Professional Mentoring – Guiding other mental health professionals in ethical practice and personal growth.

How I Can Help

I believe that healing begins with feeling heard, valued, and understood. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where clients can express their thoughts and emotions freely. Through culturally grounded and evidence-based counselling, I work alongside individuals to help them:

Develop coping strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.

Process and heal from trauma, grief, and major life transitions.

Improve self-awareness, confidence, and personal growth.

Strengthen family relationships and resolve conflicts in a healthy way.

Reconnect with cultural identity and spiritual well-being.

Navigate career, education, and personal aspirations with clarity.

Taking the first step towards therapy can feel daunting, but you are not alone. I am here to walk alongside you in this journey, offering professional guidance, encouragement, and tools to help you thrive. Your story matters, your healing is possible, and your future is full of potential.