“Our bodies are designed to heal from trauma, just as they are designed to heal from physical injury.” Peter Levine -In an Unspoken Voice
About me
I am Beate Warren Holistic and Transpersonal Counsellor
A Childhood of Sensitivity and Search for Understanding
I have always loved stories. As a child, fairytales and audio stories transported me to magical worlds, offering an escape from a reality that often felt lonely. I was a sensitive child, but I didn’t understand what that meant, and no one explained it to me. Life unfolded day by day without guidance, without the lessons that might have helped me make sense of myself and the world. I was left to piece things together on my own, often learning painful truths through my peers—immature minds teaching immature minds. This hardly ever goes well.
In my teenage years, I became hungry for knowledge, not just about the world I could see but also about the unseen—the quiet truths beneath the surface, the unspoken tensions that lingered in spaces, the things swept under the rug. My sensitivity made me attuned to these hidden layers of reality, but without guidance, it often felt overwhelming and I did not know what to do with it.
A Life-Changing Journey to Australia
Everything changed when I took my life into my own hands. When I moved to Australia in 2005, I had no idea I was stepping onto a path that would transform me completely. My travels, especially across Western Australia and the Northern Territory, brought me into deep connection with the land, and in doing so, I unknowingly began an internal journey that would take me further than I ever imagined.
A Path of Self-Discovery and Transformation
Over the years, while also finding my footing in a new country, I found the right places, the right ideas, the right teachers. But this path of self-discovery wasn’t gentle—it turned me inside out, tested every fiber of my being, and often felt like a slow, painful unraveling of everything I thought I knew. It was as if life swallowed me whole, only to spit me back out, over and over again, each time reshaping me in ways I couldn’t yet comprehend.
Guided by Teachers, Nature, and Life Itself
Finally I did not have to do it alone, through it all, I was fortunate to be guided and taught by wise teachers, mentors, guides, and the wisdom of nature itself. Their presence encouraged me to keep going, even when the journey felt unbearable. Over the past 20 years, I have found the answers I so longed for and built a strong foundation within myself.
The Privilege of Witnessing Others' Stories
Today, as a holistic and transpersonal counsellor, I create a space where others can embark on their own journeys of self-discovery in a way that feels safe, supported, and deeply attuned to who they are. My work is about healing trauma—it’s about helping people reconnect with themselves, find peace within, and step into their place in the world.
And now, I am fortunate enough to listen to stories—real stories, deep truths, the ones that have been unseen, unheard, or pushed under the rug. It is a privilege and an honour to sit across from someone, witnessing their story as it unfolds, as they begin to make sense of it, sometimes for the first time. Stories have shaped my life, and now, I hold space for others as they step into their own.
Credentials and Training
A Holistic Approach to Counselling
My journey as a counsellor has been shaped by a deep commitment to weaving together conventional education and holistic, experiential learning. I have always believed that true understanding and transformation require more than what can be taught in a classroom. Healing and growth for me must be experienced with all senses, through direct connection with life, nature, and the inner world.
Formal Education and Ongoing Learning
My formal education includes an Advanced Diploma in Transpersonal Counselling, a Diploma in Holistic Counselling and Life Care, and a Certificate in Life Coaching. While these qualifications laid the groundwork for my practice, I knew they were just the beginning of my learning. Over the years, I’ve immersed myself in a wide array of workshops, seminars, and professional training, each adding depth and dimension to my approach.
Experience in Community Support and Rehabilitation
In addition to my work as a counsellor, I have served people with diverse mental health complexities for many years as a Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker and through Specialist Homelessness Services. These roles gave me invaluable experience supporting individuals facing some of life’s most profound challenges, deepening my capacity for empathy and understanding.
The Influence of Somatic Experiencing®
One of the most profound influences on my work has been Somatic Experiencing® (SE™), which I am currently studying as an intermediate student. This approach has opened up new layers of understanding in how trauma lives in the body and how gently guiding the nervous system can lead to profound healing. SE™ has given me a framework to help clients connect with their inner world in a way that feels safe, natural, and deeply restorative. The richness of this method resonates deeply with me, aligning perfectly with my belief that true healing involves the integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Learning from Nature and Wilderness Experiences
Nature has been one of my greatest teachers, offering profound insights through immersive wilderness experiences like the programs by Bill Plotkin - Human Development and Soulcraft intensives. Guided by wise mentors, these outdoor journeys helped me attune to the rhythms of nature and the depths of the human soul.
Sacred Ceremonies and Spiritual Practices
Equally impactful have been the countless sacred ceremonies, sweat lodges, sound baths, drumming and healing circles, where I found connection, healing, and self-discovery. These practices, along with shadow work, trance dances, and encounters with sacred plant medicines, have shaped my perspective and enriched my approach.
A Grounded and Expansive Approach to Counselling
Each of these experiences forms the foundation of my counselling practice. They allow me to offer clients a space that is grounded, expansive, and attuned to the complexities of life. My approach is enriched by this multifaceted journey, ensuring that I meet each client with authenticity, depth, and care.